ACCRA (Reuters) - Hosts Ghana set out their stall at the African Nations Cup finals on Sunday with victory in the opening game as the tournament looks ahead to the first match involving two of its top contenders on Monday.

A long-range shot from Portsmouth striker Sulley Muntari handed Ghana a 2-1 win over Guinea in front of a sellout 45,000-strong crowd at the Ohene Djan stadium to kick the tournament off in style.

Yet the team's performance was far from convincing and will not have caused any of their fellow favourites a sleepless night.

Two of those fancied sides clash in Sekondi on Monday at the start of Group B with the Ivory Coast, runners-up last year, up against Nigeria, who have reached the semifinal stage at the last four tournaments.

The game pits Ivorian captain Didier Drogba, with 30 goals in 47 international appearances, against his Chelsea team mate John Obi Mikel.

Both countries can expect support as colourful and enthusiastic as those who turned up to cheer the hosts on the opening day of the three-week tournament.

Two other matches are played on Monday. Benin and Mali also play in Sekondi in Group B while Morocco meet Namibia play in Accra in Group A.

(Editing by Miles Evans)