Post by Taxigirl on Jan 23, 2004 17:48:28 GMT
Visitors to the third African Cup of Nations taking place in Tunisia are begging for one thing - atmosphere.
The lack of it ahead of the biggest football tournament in Africa comes as a surprise in a country which boasts the best facilities on the continent.
But what could ignite the fever pitch here is victory for the home side in Saturday's opening game against newcomers Rwanda.
Anything short of victory would bring back the depressing images of empty stands after Tunisia lost the opening game at the 1994 tournament to Mali.
But no matter what the rate of local interest, it will be hard for those glued to their television sets elsewhere to switch off.
After all, some of the biggest stars in world football will be seeking to fluant their skills on the African stage.
The likes of Senegal El Hadji Diouf, Tunisia's Hatem Trabelsi and Cameroon's Geremi, who made their name at the tournament will be joined by newcomers Frederic Kanoute of Mali and Senegal's Lamine Sakho who both have chosen to play for their country of origin.
That, mixed with the presence of three newcomers, particularly Rwanda, and it all adds up to an event not to be missed.
The Cup of Nations has been a 16-team event since the 1996 tournament in South Africa. Some of these editions have had their own unforgettable moments on and off the pitch.
This time around, the Tunisians have a bigger objective to prepare for.
The last time they hosted the tournament, exactly 10 years ago, 12 teams were at the finals.
But with four more sides to welcome, the country will have the chance to show what it has to offer as one of the 2010 World Cup bidding countries.
On the pitch, the majority of pundits are tipping Cameroon to retain their title for a third consecutive time.
But with every team equipped with a flag-bearer in a European league, surprises will certainly add to the fiesta.
Fixtures and Results
Group A
Tunisia
Rwanda
DR Congo
Guinea
Sat 24th Jan 1830
Tunisia v Rwanda
Rades
Match preview
Sun 25th Jan 1300
DR Congo v Guinea
El Menzah
Wed 28th Jan 1300
Rwanda v Guinea
Bizerte
Wed 28th Jan 1515
Tunisia v DR Congo
Rades
Sun 1st Feb 1300
Tunisia v Guinea
Rades
Sun 1st Feb 1300
Rwanda v DR Congo
Bizerte
Group B
Senegal
Burkina Faso
Kenya
Mali
Mon 26th Jan 1800
Senegal v Burkina F
El Menzah
Mon 26th Jan 1300
Kenya v Mali
Bizerte
Fri 30th Jan 1300
Senegal v Kenya
Bizerte
Fri 30th Jan 1800
Burkina F v Mali
El Menzah
Mon 2nd Feb 1300
Senegal v Mali
El Menzah
Mon 2nd Feb 1300
Burkina F v Kenya
Bizerte
Group C
Cameroon
Algeria
Zimbabwe
Egypt
Sun 25th Jan 1530
Zimbabwe v Egypt
Sfax
Sun 25th Jan 1800
Cameroon v Algeria
Sousse
Thu 29th Jan 1530
Cameroon v Zimbabwe
Sfax
Thu 29th Jan 1800
Algeria v Egypt
Sousse
Tue 3rd Feb 1300
Cameroon v Egypt
Monastir
Tue 3rd Feb 1300
Algeria v Zimbabwe
Sousse
Group D
Nigeria
Morocco
South Africa
Benin
Tue 27th Jan 1300
Nigeria v Morocco
Monastir
Tue 27th Jan 1700
S Africa v Benin
Sfax
Sat 31st Jan 1300
Nigeria v S Africa
Monastir
Sat 31st Jan 1700
Morocco v Benin
Sfax
Wed 4th Feb 1700
Morocco v S Africa
Sousse
Wed 4th Feb 1700
Nigeria v Benin
Sfax
Quarter-finals
Sat 7th Feb 1600, QF1
Winner A v 2nd B
Rades
Sat 7th Feb 1400, QF2
Winner B v 2nd A
El Menzah
Sun 8th Feb 1300, QF3
Winner C v 2nd D
Monastir
Sun 8th Feb 1600, QF4
Winner D v 2nd C
Sfax
Semi-finals
Wed 11th Feb 1500, SF1
QF1 v QF3
Rades
Wed 11th Feb 1800, SF2
QF2 v QF4
Sousse
FINAL
Sat 14th Feb 1400
SF1 v SF2
Rades
All kick-offs shown as GMT (local time add one hour)