Angola had promised a glitzy opening ceremony to officially kick off the 2010 African Nations Cup and it certainly did not disappoint.
Luanda's 11 November Stadium was lit up by a colourful show of fireworks and music, which accompanied displays of traditional and contemporary dancing performed by people in elaborate costumes.
The Angolan singer, Felipe Mukenga, sang the tournament's official anthem, Pais de Futuro (Country of the Future).
He danced next to the pitch, waving the national team's scarf above his head to rows of cheering fans, many wearing red, black and gold wigs and body paint.
Six heads of state from around the region attended the opening ceremony, including Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During a short speech to the 50,000-strong crowd, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos condemned the attack on the Togo team by separatist rebels in Cabinda on Friday, which left three people dead and led the players to pull out.
"Despite the terrorist attack, Cabinda will remain a hosting city," he said. "There is no need to be afraid."
A perfectly-observed minute's silence was held prior to kick off to remember the victims of the shooting, which has left a dark cloud over what was supposed to be Angola's re-launch, following the end of its long civil war in 2002.
While international media have been frenzied in their coverage of the violence, which has sent shockwaves through the footballing community, most Angolans have shrugged off the incident.
Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8451094.stm
Luanda's 11 November Stadium was lit up by a colourful show of fireworks and music, which accompanied displays of traditional and contemporary dancing performed by people in elaborate costumes.
The Angolan singer, Felipe Mukenga, sang the tournament's official anthem, Pais de Futuro (Country of the Future).
He danced next to the pitch, waving the national team's scarf above his head to rows of cheering fans, many wearing red, black and gold wigs and body paint.
Six heads of state from around the region attended the opening ceremony, including Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During a short speech to the 50,000-strong crowd, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos condemned the attack on the Togo team by separatist rebels in Cabinda on Friday, which left three people dead and led the players to pull out.
"Despite the terrorist attack, Cabinda will remain a hosting city," he said. "There is no need to be afraid."
A perfectly-observed minute's silence was held prior to kick off to remember the victims of the shooting, which has left a dark cloud over what was supposed to be Angola's re-launch, following the end of its long civil war in 2002.
While international media have been frenzied in their coverage of the violence, which has sent shockwaves through the footballing community, most Angolans have shrugged off the incident.
Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8451094.stm
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