Before Egypt and Ivory Coast clashed in the finals of CAN 2006 in Cairo, Ghana host of the 2008 tournament had already begun preparations for the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations.
The host of the 2006 event had put up a great show however, Ghana is aiming to deliver a world-class tournament to the rest of the world as the cameras and lenses continue to focus on the West African Nation in the months leading to January 2008.
And with barely a year to kick off the tournament, Ghana’s Local Organising Committee has sounded the bells of hosting of the bi-annual soccer fiesta that would gather the continent’s sixteen football nations to compete for the trophy won by the Egyptians.
On Saturday, the Local Organising Committee started the countdown to Africa’s biggest sporting event that would be hosted by Ghana in four regional capitals.
Members of the LOC and other dignitaries released hundreds of balloons into the beautiful skies of Accra to signal the build up to the competition.
The Ohene Djan stadium, one of the match venues for the tournament which is under renovation was the location for the countdown ceremony as construction workers on site also shared in the passion of the event.
Though concerns had been raised in the past over the slow pace of work, the Local Organizing Committee say Ghana would be ready to host the rest of the world come January 2008.
Lepowura Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula, vice-chairman of the LOC at the ceremony stated that the progress so far made confirms the commendation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team to Accra last year in its report to the Association's Executive Committee.
"CAF's confidence in the LOC to deliver on all the requirements are indeed a testimony of how far Ghana has gone to honour her obligations even in the areas that give concern," Lepowura Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula said.
Even before the countdown ceremony, the President of the state, J.A. Kufour had inspected works in Tamale where roofing for the newly constructed stadium was at an advanced stage.
In March, another CAF inspection delegation would be arriving to access the progress of work.
And after Egypt 2006, the destination is certainly Ghana, where the passion of the game would be shared at the centre of the earth.