Sunday 10th, February 2013
Nigeria Vs Burkina Faso – 8:00 pm
Two time winners Nigeria will be meeting Burkina Faso in the finals of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup this Sunday with both nations aiming to win Africa’s top prize. Unlike Nigeria which will be making its seventh appearances in the finals, the Stallions of Burkina Faso are just first timers. Interestingly, both teams were grouped in the same group D dubbed group of death.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga looks at both team’s passage to the finals.
Let’s get started;
NIGERIA:
The Super Eagles drew their first two games against Burkina Faso and Zambia before dispatching Cecafa representatives Ethiopia to storm quarters.
Group phase:
Nigeria 1-1 Burkina Faso
The Super Eagles draw their opening group game 1-1 with Burkina Faso with Emenike giving Nigeria the lead before substitute Alain Traore put the Stallions back on equal pegging. Nigeria play one man short after defender Efe Ambrose is harshly sent off after his second booking.
Nigeria 1-1 Zambia
It was a game marred with controversy as Zambia needed a last gasp dubious penalty decision to hold Nigeria 1-1. Striker Emmanuel Emenike had given Nigeria the lead.
Ethiopia 0 Nigeria 2
It took some magic from Victor Moses who won two penalties and stepped forward on both occasions to fire Nigeria into the last eight thus leading them out of the group..
QUARTER FINALS:
Nigeria 2-1 Cote d’Ivoire
Against all odds, the Super Eagles downed much fancied Elephants of Cote d’voire after a 2-1 win to qualify for the semi-finals. Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba strikes meant that Cheik Tiote’s was a mere consolation.
SEMI-FINALS:
Mali 1-4 Nigeria
Expected to be a tightly contested match, Nigeria overpowered Mali thrashing them 4-1 thanks to goals from Elderson Echijiele, Brown Ideye, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa. Cheik Fantadamy Diarra netted Mali’s consolation. The Nigerians thus qualified for their first ever final since 1994.
BURKINA FASO:
Burkina Faso has made history by reaching the AFCON final for the first time in their history. To reach the last two, Burkina Faso topped a group that has champions Zambia and Nigeria. Like the Eagles, they are yet to lose in South Africa.
Burkina Faso 1-1 Nigeria
Burkina Faso surprised bookmakers by recording a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in their opening game. Second half substitute Alain Traore scored a late equaliser to deny Nigeria a routine win after Emmanuel Emenike had put them in front.
Ethiopia 0-4 Burkina Faso
The Stallions recorded the biggest win of the 2013 AFCON with 4-0 bashing of Ethiopia to boost their chances of making it to quarter final. Talisman Alain Traore netted a brace as they overrun The Walya Antelopes for a deserved victory.
Zambia 0-0 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso did everything possible to get the needed result (draw) to advance beyond group stage against Zambia.
QUARTER FINALS
Togo 0-1 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso booked their place in the semi final for only second time in history with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo after extra time to zoom into the last four. Live wire winger Jonathan Pitroipa’s header was the difference between the two sides.
SEMI-FINALS
Burkina Faso 1-1 Ghana 1 (3-2 aet)
The Stallions made history by qualifying for the finals of AFCON for the first time at the expense of much fancied Ghana. The two sides drew 1-1 after 120 minutes. Despite going a goal down through Mubarak Wakaso’s controversial penalty, the Stallions levelled matters through Aristide Bance.
Burkina Faso edged the tie 3-2 on penalties.
Who will have the last laugh?