Cairo Stafdium-Filgoal team: Egypt President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak inaugurated the 25th edition of the African Cup of Nations in the Cairo International Stadium on Friday. LOC head Hani Abou-Reida provided the opening speech, followed by CAF president Issa Hayatou before President Mubarak, accompanied by the first lady, gave the official starting signal. The African Cup gala consisted of a 45-minute cultural show presented by Egyptian actor Khaled Al-Nabawi and TV celebrity Yasmine Abdullah. Local pop singer Hisham Abbas' African Cup theme song “Our Tournament” was received by the scores of fans with great excitement.
President Mubarak, first lady Susan Mubarak and CAF president Hayatou Egypt-based Moroccan singer Samira Saied gave a performance of her own. The festivities were concluded by a spectacular laser show and dazzling fireworks that lit the skyline surrounding the Cairo International Stadium. Egypt face Libya in the tournament curtain raiser at 7pm (CLT).