Out of Africa

THE AFRICAN Nations Cup begins tomorrow without two of its perennial contenders as well as a clutch of big-name players.

West African neighbours Ghana and the Ivory Coast were the two major casualties of the qualifying campaign for the 16-team tournament starting in Tunisia.

Between them, the two countries have won five Nations Cup titles but Ghana were on the end of a shock defeat by minnows Rwanda while the Ivorians lost out to South Africa in a tough qualifying group.