Copyright ? 2000 Nando Media Copyright ? 2000 Agence France-Press

ACCRA, Ghana (January 21, 2000 9:18 a.m. EST http://www.sportserver.com) - The 2000 African Nations Cup football tournament kicks off here Saturday with a clash between co-hosts Ghana and Cameroon, two of the great underachievers in the competition during the past decade.

Although the Black Stars of Ghana have lifted a trophy that symbolises continental supremacy a record-equalling four times, the last triumph was 18 years ago when they defeated hosts Libya on penalties.

Cameroon were triumphant in 1984 and 1988 and runners-up in between, but have hardly created a stir since, despite producing a stream of worthy successors to Roger Milla.

While much pre-Nations Cup hype has centred on the Group of Death involving co-hosts Nigeria, Congo, Morocco and Tunisia; Ghana and Cameroon are locked with Cote d'Ivoire and Togo in an equally tough mini-league.

Togo may end up as the whipping boys, but Ghana, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire are capable not only of topping Accra-based Group A, but of winning the biennial African football showcase.

To claim the ultimate prize, teams need a strong spine running from defence through midfield into attack and Ghana and Cameroon are excellently served in each department.

Samuel Kuffour from German giants Bayern Munich marshals the Black Stars at the back, Charles Akunnor from Wolfsburg is the midfield general and Kwame Ayew from Sporting Lisbon a consistent scorer.

Ayew, younger brother of three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, scored both goals when Ghana defeated Tunisia 2-0 here on Tuesday night in their final warm-up.

Giuseppe Dossena, a member of the 1982 Italy World Cup-winning team, coaches Ghana and has warned an expectant nation that there is no guarantee of success, even with potential home advantage until the final in Lagos.

"There is no special strategy to win a competition, otherwise football would be stereotyped. I am happy my players are very good and many play at a very high level in Europe," he said.

Cameroon counterpart Pierre Le Chantre comes from a more humble background, playing 350 matches and scoring 90 goals for a variety of French first division clubs during the 1970s.

The backbone of his team comprises defender Rigobert Song from Liverpool, midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe from West Ham United and striker Patrick Mboma from Cagliari.

Last-minute rows over financial bonuses and even later changes of coaches are Cameroon trademarks, and the fact that they have dodged these pitfalls can only boost the Indomitable Lions.

Ghana start with the psychological advantage of beating Cameroon 3-1 away in a 2000 qualifier. The result was later erased when Zimbabwe were replaced as hosts by Ghana and Nigeria, who gained automatic places as co-hosts.

"I watched Ghana win in Egypt last year and they were superb. They are playing at home and this establishes them as favourites. Do not leave Cameroon out of the equation, though," Le Chantre said.

Cameroon also featured in the opening match of the previous two tournaments, crashing 3-0 to hosts and eventual champions South Africa in 1996 and beating hosts Burkina Faso 1-0 two years ago.