The Super Eagles and Stallions of Burkina Faso will be aiming at Africa’s soccer bonanza top prize
Sunday 10th, February 2013
Nigeria Vs Burkina Faso – National Stadium
TIME: 9:00PM in Ugandan Time | 8PM in South Africa | 7PM in Nigeria | 6PM in Burkina Faso
*** You can follow live updates of this match on this link ****
The battle for Africa’s bragging rights ends this Sunday when Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Stallions of Burkina Faso in the finals of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup at the national stadium, Soweto.
The Super Eagles will be gunning for their third trophy in the history of the competition while Burkina Faso will be aiming for their first.
NIGERIA TEAM NEWS:
Coach Stephen Keshi may be without tournament leading scorer Emmanuel Emenike [Click here to see top scorers’ charts] after reports indicate that the striker tore his thigh muscle in the 4-1 win over of Mali in the semi-finals. In case he fails the late fitness test, Ahmed Musa and Villareal forward Ikechukwu Uche are available replacements.
Good news though is that Chelsea striker Victor Moses has been passed fit to play in the finals. Captain Joseph Yobo is still expected to start on the bench with Vincent Enyeama skippering the side in the finals. John Obi Mikel, Sunday Mba and Brown Ideye are expected to be key for Nigeria.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Victor Moses
In the absence of Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses will be the man expected to lead the hunt for goals against Burkina Faso. The Chelsea star has been instrumental in his side’s quest for the title and Stallions must be aware of the threat he poses.
Burkina Faso team news:
Coach Paul Put will still miss the services of danger man Alain Traore who is ruled out due to injury but their camp has been boosted by news that Caf has rescinded Jonathan Pitroipa’s controversial red card and the winger will feature against the Nigerians.
Right full back Muhammad Koffi who left the pitch in the win over Ghana due to injury is still doubtful.
Besides the problems above, the squad is in high spirits and ready to die a little for their country.
Jonathan Pitroipa, Djakarija Kone and captain Charles Kabore will have to be at their best if Burkina Faso is to get its first ever gold medal at Afcon.
Man to Watch: Jonathan Pitroipa:
In the absence of Alain Traore, Pitroipa has been the main source of goals for his side through creativity and even netted in the quarter final win over Togo. He has so far netted two goals in the campaign and Nigerian defenders must be wary of his threat.
DID YOU KNOW?
-Nigeria will be making its seventh appearance in the finals. The Super Eagles were finalists in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994 and 2000 while Burkina Faso will be appearing for the first time.
-Nigeria have won the title twice in 1980 and 1994 while Burkina Faso have won none.
-Nigeria have scored 10 goals and conceded 4 en route to the finals while Burkina Faso have scored 7 and conceded just two an implication that the battle on Sunday will be between best defence Vs Best attacker.
-Both teams played to a 1-1 draw in the group stages. Emmanuel Emenike scored for Nigeria while second half substitute Alain Traore scored for Burkina Faso.
-The two nations have met eight times with Nigeria still unbeaten after claiming five wins and three draws.
PREDICTION:
A hard game to predict being a final. Both sides deserve to be on the pitch come Sunday. Nigeria are clear favourites going into this game after drowning Mali and tournament favourites Cote d’voire but must be wary of Paul Put’s side that qualified for the finals at the expense of Ghana albeit through penalty kicks.
The Burkinabe are a bit more exhausted than Nigeria having played 120 minutes twice in the knock out stages.
It will be a tightly contested game but Nigeria will edge it in the end.
Nigeria 2-1 Burkina Faso
What are your predictions? Let us know in your predictions below. You can also cast your vote on who will win AFCON 2013
