...in 2008 Nations Cup race
Ghana or Libya will be named as hosts of the 2008 African Nations Cup. A three-man delegation led by Nigerian Patrick Okpomo spent four days in each country last month to inspect stadia and hotels, plus medical, transport and telecommunication facilities.

The candidates will give 30-minute presentations at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital Thursday before the 13-member executive committee votes.

Led by CAF president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon, the executive comprises four officials each from west and central Africa, two each from the north and east of the continent and one from the south.

A CAF official speaking on condition of anonymity predicted a close contest with at least seven votes needed for success and he said Libyan promises to pump millions of dollars into new stadia could sway delegates.

Libya was one of five African candidates to stage the 2010 World Cup, but was disqualified at the last minute after failing to meet visa requirements demanded by world controlling body FIFA.

The North African country staged the biennial showpiece of African football in 1982 while Ghana were hosts in 1963 and 1978 and co-hosts with Nigeria four years ago.

Success for Libya would mean a third consecutive Nations Cup in North Africa. Tunisia hosted the 2004 edition last January and February and Egypt have won the right to stage the 2006 finals.

The executive comprises Hayatou, Amos Adamu (Nigeria), Moses Baransananiye (Burundi), Amadou Diakite (Mali), Adoum Djibrine (Chad), Sylvestre Mbongo (Congo), Seyi Memene (Togo), Molefi Oliphant (South Africa), Suketu Patel (Seychelles), Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria), Hani Abu Reda (Egypt), Kamal Shaddad (Sudan) and Mawade Wade (Senegal).