The route to qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was different for both sides. While the Super Eagles walloped Liberia 6-1, the Stallions needed a stoppage time goal to edge out the Central African Republic 3-3 on aggregate scores.
But that is where the difference ends, and since their 1-1 draw on January 21, both sides have grown in stature and will now contest the final of the 2013 edition of the Nations Cup with a chance to represent Africa in the Fifa Confederations Cup later this year in Brazil.
But as Jonathan Akpoborie said, “The Eagles have to continue playing like they did against Cote d’Ivoire.” That is good advice, as nothing has been won yet by either team, and while they are already both commended for coming this far, history will only remember the country that wins the title.
For Burkina Faso, this is uncharted territory and for Nigeria, it is a chance to return to the high standards of previous years.
But that is where the difference ends, and since their 1-1 draw on January 21, both sides have grown in stature and will now contest the final of the 2013 edition of the Nations Cup with a chance to represent Africa in the Fifa Confederations Cup later this year in Brazil.
But as Jonathan Akpoborie said, “The Eagles have to continue playing like they did against Cote d’Ivoire.” That is good advice, as nothing has been won yet by either team, and while they are already both commended for coming this far, history will only remember the country that wins the title.
For Burkina Faso, this is uncharted territory and for Nigeria, it is a chance to return to the high standards of previous years.
One of the things that makes the Africa Cup of Nations so compelling is its ability to deliver the unexpected.
Coming into the 2013 instalment of the continent’s most prestigious international tournament, very few prognosticators would have had Nigeria and Burkina Faso in Sunday’s final, yet after a fascinating few weeks in South Africa, that’s exactly the showcase we’ve been given.
Nigeria, who in recent years have been little more than a disorganized mix of big reputations and even bigger salaries, have found a rather different identity at this competition. And for that they have manager Stephen Keshi to thank.
The 51-year-old, who won the Cup of Nations as a player in 1994, quite intentionally broke with the past in his squad selections, omitting the likes of Obafemi Martins, Yakubu and John Utaka in favor of younger players, five of which play their domestic football in Nigeria.
The result has been a surprisingly disciplined side anchored by Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel that deservedly ousted Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals before thumping Mali in Wednesday’s semifinal. They come into Sunday’s championship match as favourites, although forwards Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike missed training on Thursday and may not be fit in time to retake their places in Keshi’s starting XI.
On the other side of the ball, Burkina Faso already know they`ll be without their first-choice striker at kickoff on Sunday.
Alain Traoré, who scored the late equalizer in the Stallions` come-from-behind draw with Nigeria in the group stage and also bagged a brace against Ethiopia, picked up a thigh injury against Zambia and has been rehabilitating in France the past week. But he`ll be in the dugout in Johannesburg on Sunday to cheer on his teammates, having been granted a leave of absence by Lorient.
Coming into the 2013 instalment of the continent’s most prestigious international tournament, very few prognosticators would have had Nigeria and Burkina Faso in Sunday’s final, yet after a fascinating few weeks in South Africa, that’s exactly the showcase we’ve been given.
Nigeria, who in recent years have been little more than a disorganized mix of big reputations and even bigger salaries, have found a rather different identity at this competition. And for that they have manager Stephen Keshi to thank.
The 51-year-old, who won the Cup of Nations as a player in 1994, quite intentionally broke with the past in his squad selections, omitting the likes of Obafemi Martins, Yakubu and John Utaka in favor of younger players, five of which play their domestic football in Nigeria.
The result has been a surprisingly disciplined side anchored by Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel that deservedly ousted Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals before thumping Mali in Wednesday’s semifinal. They come into Sunday’s championship match as favourites, although forwards Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike missed training on Thursday and may not be fit in time to retake their places in Keshi’s starting XI.
On the other side of the ball, Burkina Faso already know they`ll be without their first-choice striker at kickoff on Sunday.
Alain Traoré, who scored the late equalizer in the Stallions` come-from-behind draw with Nigeria in the group stage and also bagged a brace against Ethiopia, picked up a thigh injury against Zambia and has been rehabilitating in France the past week. But he`ll be in the dugout in Johannesburg on Sunday to cheer on his teammates, having been granted a leave of absence by Lorient.
On the road to the final, Nigeria scored 10 goals and conceded four
while Burkina Faso have scored seven and conceded two. Both have
improved but Burkina Faso will be missing in form striker Alain Traore,
who equalised against Nigeria and scored three goals during the
tournament before picking up an injury. The good news for the Burkinabe
is that star player Jonathan Pitroipa has had his red card from their
last match against Ghana rescinded after Caf decided that his booking
was a mistake.
The Nigerians also have injury concerns for two of their better players – Emmanuel Emenike, who has scored four goals, and the chief instigator against Mali, Victor Moses, who has added two strikes. Burkina Faso will also have to make changes to their line-up, with right-back Koffi a major doubt.
The Nigerians also have injury concerns for two of their better players – Emmanuel Emenike, who has scored four goals, and the chief instigator against Mali, Victor Moses, who has added two strikes. Burkina Faso will also have to make changes to their line-up, with right-back Koffi a major doubt.
Burkina Faso did get some good news, however, when Jonathan Pitroipa`s red card from Wednesday`s semifinal against Ghana was overturned on Friday. The Rennes winger had been sent off after what the referee had judged to be simulation, but on appeal, the Confederation of African Football overturned the decision.
Pitroipa`s inclusion is a massive boost to Burkina Faso`s attack, but the backbone of manager Paul Put`s team has been its defense, and if there is to be an upset on Sunday, it will likely be because the central tandem of Bakary Koné and Paul Koulibaly once again won its matchup against the opposing attack.
Projected Nigeria XI: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo, Oboabona, Elderson; Mba, Mikel, Onazi; Ideye, Emenike, Moses
Projected Burkina Faso XI: D.Diakité; Koffi, Koné, Koulibaly, Panadetiguiri; D.Koné, Kaboré, Rouamba, Makoulma, Pitroipa; Bance
