Burkina Faso forward Jonathan Pitroipa will certainly be named by Belgian coach Paul Put in the line up that starts the 29th Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria on Sunday night.
He was cleared by Caf to play the last tournament game after his red card after a second bookable offence in the semifinal against Ghana was rescinded.
In that Nelspruit semi-final on Wednesday, the 10-man Stallions went ahead to beat the Black Stars on penalties.
His return gives Burkinabe a huge advantage and mental boost before they face off with Nigeria in the fifth all-West African Afcon final in history.
Pitroipa is not a mediorce player in the green colours. He was the reason they reached the semis.
The 26-year-old nodded home with 15 minutes to end the extra time against Togo keeping Burkinabe in touch of their first title.
No doubt they have something to prove and now that they are playing second fiddle to the Super Eagles in front of many pundits and fans, Pitroipa’s return can instigate greater solidarity among them.
Knowing that decisions could go against them like Ghana, Burkinabe could play just to spoil Nigeria’s party and in turn clinch their maiden crown.
The hopes have even risen more since his ban was lifted and that only makes a Burkinabe fan just too eager to sit closer to the television set or get to the National Stadium in time for the crunch tie.
Some will feel like the closing ceremony can be left out to see Pitroipa return to deliver against Stephen Keshi’s charges.
It is not until this tournament that Burkina Faso had won an Afcon game away from home soil. Their best performance had come when they finished fourth at the 1998 tourney which they had hosted.
They are aiming to emulate Zambia by lifting the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.
The Stallions surprised many by reaching the final, but they will have to overcome a resurgent Nigeria.