The African Cup of Nations (ACN) Group D, nicknamed the "group of death", kicks-off in Port Said on Monday with two strong encounters between Ghana and Nigeria and Senegal and Zimbabwe. West African neighbors Nigeria and Ghana face off in a typically enticing showdown between two of Africa's top guns. Nigeria, like most of the competing teams, arrived in Egypt with the sole aim of winning the title especially after the humility of missing out on the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. Ghana, on the other hand, are looking to prove their qualification to the World Cup was no fluke. The task will not be an easy one for Ghana though given the absence of three of their biggest stars in Michael Essien, Muntari and Asamoah Gyan through injury. Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic believes the absence of the trio, although devastating for their chances, can be dealt with thanks to players like skipper Stephen Appiah.
Senegal Appiah has returned to Port Said to join his national squad after being released to play for his club Fenerbahce in a Turkish league match on Friday. Nigeria may also be without influential midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha who picked up an injury during the preparations for the African Cup and is yet to recover completely. Later on Monday, the Teranga Lions of Senegal will take on Zimbabwe with their reputation at stake. Ever since their quarter-final appearance at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, Senegal have suffered one failure after another. Senegal were knocked out of the 2004 African Cup at the hands of hosts Tunisia and failed to replicate their World Cup appearance. Nevertheless, Senegal are armed with an arsenal of talented and experienced players, including Bolton striker El Hadji Diouf, goalkeeper Tony Sylva and midfielder Pape Bouba Diop. Zimbabwe go into the game, into the group in fact, as underdogs and any success they achieve will be considered a step better than what they fared in the 2004 ACN.
