CAN 2008 Fixtures in October

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will deliberate on the details of the fixtures for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations at its next meeting in October.

The Executive Committee - the highest decision making body of the continent's soccer controlling body is expected to meet on October 16-17 in Accra, forty-eight hours to the main draw of the competition. Information gathered by the GNA Sports from the Association's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, has it that the fixtures for the 26th edition of the biennial fiesta is expected to be high on the agenda of the Issa Hayatou-led Executive Committee.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Ghana 2008 are said to have proposed that all matches for the competition be played from 17:00hrs GMT.

The late timing is in line with efforts of the LOC at raising large spectatorship during the 32-match soccer fiesta since most workers are expected to close from work around the period.

The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium (Accra), venue for the opening and closing ceremonies will host nine matches just as the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The newly constructed 20,000 capacity Stadiums of Sekondi and Tamale will host seven matches each.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for January 20 with the closing ceremony fixed for February 10.