African Cup of Nations kicks off

[Pharaoh]

Enjoyed the opening ceremony, and the opening match (Egypt 3-0 Libya) even more
Not a good build-up to the tournament the team looked sharp and cohesive today. Should have put up more goals, but we seemed to take our feet off the pedal a bit after the second goal in the 22nd minute.

Tomorrow's matches will be fire. I'm especially looking forward to Ivory Coast vs. Morocco, followed by Cameroon taking on Angola (which I understand you guys have a vested interest in).

Eurosport match report:

http://www.eurosport.com/football/egypt/2006/sport_sto816595.shtml

Eurosport match highlights video:

http://www.eurosport.com/football/mc_vid23058.shtml

[Arashi_Washi]

Well done to Eqypt,,

3-0 is a good result as a start,Keep it up

[Babak500]

Is the African cup this year in Egypt? I hope they will win the tournament!

[Amin_]

Yes it's in Egypt and I also hope they win it.

If they win it, it's gonna be their 5th time winning (a record), if I'm not mistaking.
Pharao am I right?

Looking forward to tomorrows games. Should be interesting.

[Arashi_Washi]

Eqypt winning the African Nations and Iran winning the Asian cup and the 2 teams will have a biig possiblity playing agasint Eachother in the Confederations cup

[Amir H F]

cant wait to see Angola vs. Cameroon, whom I think is one of the top 3 teams in Africa too bad they didnt make it because of a missed penalty!!! anyways all teams are sending there A teams right? I would think so but can someone please confirm if players like Martins(Nigeria), Eto'o(Cameroon), Akwa(Angola), Hadji(Morocco), and Drogba(Cote d'Ivoire) will be participating??? thanks.

[Pharaoh]

Yeah we're hosting it this time. So far so good. The opening ceremony was pretty cool. persian thug, that's right.. if we win it (which I doubt), it would be a record 5th Nations Cup title for Egypt.

Amir H F... all the players you mentioned above are at the tournament. Every country has it's A team on the field... it's the Nations Cup after all!

I'll post some pics from the competition later in this thread.

[Pharaoh]

Pictures from the African Cup of Nations in Egypt

[Pharaoh]

[Pharaoh]

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, right, and Arouna Kone of PSV Eindhoven, both playing for the Ivory Coast team challenge for the ball during a training
Kolo Toure and Aruna Kone training with the Ivory Coast in Cairo on Thursday, January 19, 2006 ahead of the opening of the 2006 CAF African Cup of Nations in Egypt on Friday. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Copyright: AP

[ird28]

can you post some pics of the stadiums and maybe also the opening-ceremony?

thanks

[Pharaoh]

can you post some pics of the stadiums and maybe also the opening-ceremony?
thanks

sure. Gotta look for some stadium pics. For now, the opening ceremony, quite spectacular - I was pleased:






our ugly president




Parachutists flew into the stadium, one by one, carrying the flag of each participating nation.


scary

[Pharaoh]

some more:

[Pharaoh]

Libyan fans.. poor guys

[ird28]

wow

thank you

looks very great and classy