Ghana's Local Organizing Committee on Friday night did the global launch of the 26th edition of the African Cup Nations.

The colourful night was pure of African expression as every bit of the occasion represented true African culture blended with sports.


Most parts of the occasion portrayed the African culture as the beats of the fontomfrom drums, the sounds of the horn, xylophone, flutes and other African musical instruments spiced up the night with African sounds.

The event watched by over a million viewer across the continent was attended by Ghana's President, John Agyekum Kufour, Alhaji Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of Africa Football - CAF, ministers of state, parliamentarians, members of the Ghana Football Association and other dignitaries.

President Kufour said success can however be achieved through the use of fair means, a campaign which has been at the centre of every game, adding that "soccer is best enjoyed when it is fair."

He said that the attitude of the "win at all cost strategy" must be avoided, adding that soccer need to be played in a fair atmosphere.

The President said: "Such will be the atmosphere that is to be expected at the 2008 Nations Cup as professionalism would be at the highest level in the competition because it is the only way football can progress on the continent."

Touching on the construction and renovation of the four stadia for the 2008 competition, the President said, "Work on the four stadia is within time frame work and will be ready for the competition."

CAF president, Alhaji Hayatou said every Cup of Nations is always better than the previous one and challenged Ghana to live up to expectation by making the 2008 event, a historic one.

He said the 2006 Cup of Nations was watched by over five billion people across the world and called on Ghana to channel all efforts towards increasing the Television viewership.

The CAF President commended Ghana for putting up an excellent organisation so far adding that the nation should not relent on its efforts but work harder to make the 2008 event, which is next competition become a success.

President Kufour together with Alhaji Hayatou and FA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi and supported by the some of the soccer greats Abedi Pele Ayew, Tony Baffoe and Ghanaian born, French world cup star, Marcel Dessailly unveiled the Mascot for the competition.