Ghana president John Agyekum Kufuor has sent a goodwill message to the senior national team, the Black Stars ahead of their first group game against Nigeria on Monday.

Host nation Egypt kick start the competition against Libya at 17:00GMT.

The Stars are placed in group D of the 25th edition of the African Cup of Nations tournament together with Nigeria, Senegal and Zimbabwe.

The message reads: "I, on behalf of the entire nation wish the players, technical handlers and management of the senior national team, the Black Stars, a great success."

It says by their unprecedented qualification to the World Cup, Germany 2006, they have made Ghanaians proud and rekindled the country's hopes of becoming a world giant in soccer, a game that unites all.

"I salute you for your dedication, devotion and determination to raise our national flag and Ghanaians are looking forward to more days of celebrations in the CAN 2006."

The message said as the Stars set out to compete for the coveted Cup, the people were solidly behind them in body and spirit.

"I am confident that you would rise to the event putting behind you the recent reverses and be inspired by our remarkable history in this competition to bring honour to all of us."