Expanded Cup of Nations has new look but clouded by concerns

CAIRO: The African Cup of Nations gets underway in Egypt on Friday sporting a fresh new look but the 32nd edition is clouded like none before by security concerns and the foibles of the game’s administrators.

The decision to expand to 24 teams produced a more sceptical reaction given that many of the past tournaments have been characterised by the poor standard of matches and further dilution of the field might exacerbate that problem. Nigeria return after missing the last two finals and are always contenders, while Ghana continue their quest for a first title since 1982.

Most games have been played either behind closed doors or with restricted attendance to forestall any political dissent that might flow from the terraces. Mursi, who was briefly the first democratically elected head of state in Egypt's modern history, died on Monday from a heart attack after collapsing in a Cairo court while on trial on espionage charges.

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