Ghana, Guinea to play opener at CAN 2008

Accra, Oct 19, GNA - Ghana would begin her fifth attempt at picking the continental silverware in Group A, with seemingly tough task against Guinea at the Ohene Djan Stadium, in the opening game of the 2008 Africa Cup Nations, which commences on January 20, 2008. The Black Stars, highly tipped to win the trophy following their recent form will be presented with a difficult opposition from the Sylla Nationals of Guinea - the fourth best team on the continent, with a bunch of talented and youthful players.

Claude Le Roy, head coach of the Black Stars in his reaction to the draw said each of the teams in the group is capable of making it to the next stage of the competition hence the need to take each match seriously.
He said the Black Stars would approach each game with equal determination, adding that they will give no room for any form of complacency.
Coach Le Roy was confident the Stars would make it out of the group stage up to the quarter-final stage of the competition. Regular participants Morocco and debutante Namibia make up the members of the group at the end of the official draw for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, conducted at the plush Accra International Conference Center on Friday.
Two time winners Nigeria and Cote D'Ivoire and in-form Mali will square if off with the side's underdogs Benin, who are making their second appearance in the continental soccer festival in Group B at the newly constructed stadium at Essipong near Sekondi in the Western Region.
The presence of Nigeria, Cote D'Ivoire and Mali in the group drew instant reaction from the audience at the auditorium with a description of the group as "The Group of Death".
Defending champions, Egypt has been paired up with Cameroon, Zambia and "returnees" Sudan in Group C who would be based at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The Tamale Sports Stadium will host Tunisia, Angola, South Africa and Senegal in Group D to make up a group of four from the 16 teams that have qualified for the competition.
The competition is expected to come to a close on February 10.