The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations has averaged nearly three goals a game and some of them have been crackers.

But the excitement has not been limited to the field as thousands of fans have descended on Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale in a riot of colour to support their teams.

Here, BBC Sport negotiates the body paint, drums and trumpets to get the views from fans across Ghana in what some regard as the most exciting Cup of Nations yet.

There is a lot more enthusiasm for the football here in Ghana Gildao Keutchiemen (right)

"The conditions in Ghana have been great, I have no complaints.

"It's great to have four sets of fans in the stadium for the double-header games - it's amazing fun and there's a good rapport amongst all of them.

"I really enjoyed the Cameroon game against Zambia - especially the goal from Achille Emana and also the free-kick scored by Geremi.

"I went to the Nations Cup in Senegal in 1992 with my father but there is a lot more enthusiasm for the football here in Ghana."

I have never seen as beautiful a night and atmosphere as the one created by the Nigerian fans after the victory over Benin Tony Adiele

"Unlike the last two editions of this tournament which took place in North Africa, this one here in Ghana has seen many fans turn up in large numbers.

"In Egypt (in 2006) I think only the host country made loads of noise but here in Ghana, I have seen loud fans in all of the three cities I have been to.

"I enjoyed the thrills in the Ivorian village in Takoradi while the Malians and Guineans also thrilled me with some nice dance moves.

"It is hard for me to say which fans have been the best, but I must say that I have never seen as beautiful a night and atmosphere as the one created by the Nigerian fans after the victory over Benin."

"There is not a big Egyptian community here in Kumasi so apart from the Egyptian diplomats at the Egyptian Embassy in Accra, Egyptian fans were few and far between.

"However, a day before Egypt played its first game against Cameroon in the group stages, 100 Egyptian fans arrived from Cairo.

"And though they were not joined by any local supporters, their enthusiastic support turned their small place in the stands into an Egyptian territory or a small version of a full house in Cairo Stadium.

"We have travelled all this way to Ghana because we are the leaders of Egyptian fans everywhere.

"We have brought all our equipment from drums, flags and trumpets in order to help us support our team in defending the title they won back home in 2006.

"We are few in number, but we need the players to feel they are playing at home especially when the local crowd has been against our team in all its three matches.

"We carry the same incentive of the Egyptian players - to claim the Cup."

"We arrived in Ghana two days before the tournament and we are going to help cheer our team to the trophy. We are going to take the Cup back home because Ivory Coast's name is on the trophy.

"I'm happy with the team. We've won all our matches, we're in the semi-finals - why should we not take the Cup home?

"For me, the only important thing is that my team wins. The other games don't matter to me. I defend my national colours just as everyone does.

"Ghana are good hosts. Until now, we have had no problems and all the locals are very friendly."

My favourite goal of this Nations Cup was Michael Essien's against Morocco Roland Innocent (left)

Roland Innocent:

"I am enjoying the tournament and think that the best match so far was the game between Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

"It was a match that was very tactical, the two teams didn't give anything and they played technically and physically. Salomon Kalou scored a fine goal to win the match 1-0.

"But my favourite goal of this Nations Cup was Michael Essien's against Morocco (Ghana won 2-0).

"It was a clever goal, one which caught the Moroccans cold and the Moroccans were stunned that Essien could finish from such an angle."

Anthony Cocu Dzidala:

"I am Malian living in Togo, but came to Ghana to support the Eagles.

"It's a good tournament this year, and until the last game all was going well for us. My favourite match was our 1-0 win defeat of Benin.