Nigeria, who meet Morocco in the opening group D match at Monastir, are hoping the rich form Okocha has shown in the English premier league will be transferred to the tournament while a depleted South Africa will be placing their hopes on the 38-year-old Moshoeu for their game against Benin in Sfax.

Okocha's riveting free kicks against Aston Villa in the League Cup semi-final last week received little attention in Tunisia but the midfielder is renowned on the African continent.

He is the only survivor of the side that won Nigeria's last Nations Cup title, in Tunisia 10 years ago.

Opponents Morocco are also previous Nations Cup winners, but more than two decades ago, and their current side is a youthful one that coach Badou Ezaki insists he is still building for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, which start in June.

Ezaki said on Monday his most important task was to prepare his team mentally for the match against the Nigerians.

"My players are 100 percent ready but it is the mental side that I have to work on," the former African Footballer of the Year said.

Moshoeu, who is the oldest player at the tournament, has taken the lead role in the South African side in the absence of Quinton Fortune, Benni McCarthy and Mark Fish.

But the midfielder, who won the tournament with South Africa in 1996, is annoyed by suggestions he might prove to be a "second Roger Milla", replicating the feats of the Cameroonian at the 1990 World Cup finals.

"I don't want to be the second Roger Milla, but rather the only Shoes Moshoeu," he said. "I'm not looking to follow in anyone else's footsteps."

Opponents Benin will be making their Nations Cup debut and have injury concerns surrounding thee players, including the former Aberdeen striker Laurent Djaffo.