Accra — Hosts Ghana kicked off to a good start on Sunday by upsetting Guinea in the opening match of the 2008 MTN African Cup of Nations.
Thousands of Ghanaian football fans flooded the streets of Accra, wearing outfits highlighting their national team's colors.
Artists and youth groups opened the tournament at Ohene Djan Stadium in a beautiful ceremony showcasing the richness and diversity of Ghana's cultures and regions. Acrobatics, choreographed displays, the sound of giant drums and a theme song reflected the country's embrace of both tradition and modernity.
Youths artistically depicted the map of Africa with Ghana at its heart, as if to say that Africa will move to the country during the three weeks of the tournament. Thousands of soccer fans and 2,000 journalists have come from around the world to watch its third largest sporting event after the soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games.
President John Kufuor could not have chosen a more symbolic and powerful message of greeting to the 368 players, the 32 referees and the fans than the words, "Akwaaba Ghana!" (Welcome to Ghana!)
Highlighting the importance of the event, Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, the controlling body of international football, and Michel Platini, the president of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, were there alongside Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Neither of the teams which opened the tournament played a game which will be etched in the annals of African football. In the first half, Ghana's Black Stars repeatedly raided the Guinean camp, but their attack was clumsy and they missed their target three times as the ball bounced off the goalposts.
Their moment of deliverance came as Ghana's striker, Asamoah Gyan, scored by way of a controversial penalty in the 53rd minute. But their relief was short-lived. Ten minutes later, Guinea's Omar Kalabane equalized with a header.
In the dying minutes of the game, Ghana regained the upper hand when Sulley Muntari clinched the Black Stars' 2-1 victory - to the jubilation of fans across the country - with a powerful kick from 30 metres out.
