Countries in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) competition begin their quest for the coveted trophy Wednesday, when they play their first matches at the new Tamale Sports Stadium in northern Ghana.

Tunisia play Senegal in the first match while South Africa will sort matters out with Angola in the second match.

This could easily have been the "group of death" had all the teams been in top form.

All four teams have appeared at the World Cup while Tunisia and South Africa have won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before.

However, a series of poor performances by the teams leave Senegal as arguably the best in the group.

That not withstanding, the clash between Tunisia and Senegal could be the most competitive, as both sides play sweet attacking football and have several players that can perform magic on a good day.

Tunisia have not been in top form for some time, with a series of poor results in friendly and trial matches.

But Roger Lemerre's Carthage Eagles can count in Dos Santos and the speed of its wingers to cause trouble for Senegal.

The West African team, whose current crop lifted Africa's flag in the 2002 World Cup, still has some life in it with temperamental Captain El-Hadj Diouf leading the attack.

The Bolton striker can turn impossible situations into dangerous moves and should be the man to watch.

When the attacking machinery of the Taranga Lions clicks, however, they are sure to devour the Carthage Eagles.

South Africa's Bafana Bafana, which have been on the decline for several years and missed out of the last World Cup, have been rebuilding the side, not least because they are the 2010 hosts.

It has hired the successful Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parriera to prepare the country to put up a good show in 2010. Much as he has started the rebuilding with the inclusion of new faces, the blend is yet to be perfect.

Their opponents on Wednesday, Angola's Palancas Negras , have also lost their shine after wonderful performances that saw them reach the 2006 World Cup. There may not be much to choose between them, but the South Africans may just win the day.