Historic opening ceremony awaits continent

The African continent will witness a historic and most memorable opening ceremony that will usher in the 26th Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana from January 20-February 10.

The 40-minute event pieced together by Global Media Alliance, (GMA) Executive Producers of the opening ceremony would portray the rich cultural heritage of Ghana to the over 4.5 billion viewers across the world.

About 2,500 people made up of students, professors and lecturers from the University of Ghana, professional Dance Groups across the country, acrobats, cultural troops and children from Primary Schools would exhibit a blend of cultural and gymnastic display on the day.

The show would seek to tell the unfolding story of Ghanaian culture, the story of football and the Ghana 2008.

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Marcel Desailly has tipped Ivory Coast to win the 26th Africa Cup of Nations which starts in Ghana on Sunday.

The former Chelsea and AC Milan star will be reporting for BBC Sport at the tournament and is predicting a contest high on skill and rich in atmosphere.

Host nation Ghana play Guinea in the opening fixture, with fans and scouts expected to flock to west Africa.

"Ivory Coast are the most complete team - the way they play is the most European," said BBC Sport's Desailly.

Sixteen teams with world-class players such as Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Cameroon forward striker Samuel Eto'o are set to illuminate the continent's football showpiece.

With six of those countries bordering Ghana, stadiums are expected to be busier than previous tournaments with $4 tickets changing hands for as much as $120 on the black market.

And reports have suggested that around one million visitors to the country could inject up to $1bn (£510m) into the local economy.

"The Nations Cup is special," said Ghana-born Desailly, who moved to France at an early age and won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with his adopted country.

BBC Sport understands that many English Premier League clubs are sending scouts to the tournament - with one chief scout saying the Cup of Nations is now as big as the Copa America and the European Championship.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7190354.stm