The MTN African Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008) is expected to peak rather early on match day two, Monday, when two of the tournament’s most powerful and favoured sides, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, clash at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi. The Group B ‘clash of the titans’ encounter is expected to further raise the tempo of the tournament after hosts, Ghana, scooped a sweet victory virtually in the nick of time against Guinea on the opening day and provide much talking point for the three-week fiesta. The Super Eagles and indeed the entire football community in Nigeria could still be mulling over that devastating sting from Didier Drogba that sent them packing out of Egypt 2006, and the growing force and confidence of the Elephants in their build-up to Ghana 2008 could still prove much of a bother. The Super Eagles have a clear balance to their favour though in matches against the Elephants; six wins, nine draws and four losses. Interestingly, the Elephants were the first to claim victory and again the last to do same in all encounters between the two sides; opening the account with a win in the return leg of the 1968 Nations Cup qualifiers (2:0) in May of 1967 after forcing the then Green Eagles to a goalless draw on March 12th, 1967 in Nigeria. Both sides are comfortable playing in Ghana, and while either side could claim Ghana to be a second home of a sort for several political and social reasons, the array of refined players in the two camps make their clash a must watch. Many have predicted Group B would produce a team for the 10th February finals and whoever wins could be fulfilling that dream, plus neither side would be lacking in support as hordes of fans have flown in to support their sides. And if threats from Mali’s Freddie Kanoute that neither side is a danger enough for him and his colleagues is any warning to be taken seriously, then an all attacking game is anticipated. A winner must emerge. myjoyonline