Burkina Faso hoping to upset Ghana to reach AFCON final
Posted On Tuesday, 5th February 2013
Kwesi Appiah is one of the few local coaches at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations
Burkina Faso are dreaming of upsetting the odds once more by beating Ghana to reach the final of the African Nations Cup.
The Stallions have already come a long way to take their place in an all-west African final four in South Africa, knocking out defending champions Zambia to qualify from Group C and then beating Togo 1-0 in extra time in Sunday’s quarter-final.
Ghana’s experience should make them favourites for Wednesday’s semi-final meeting but few are now betting against a Burkina Faso side brimming with confidence.
“It’s like a never-ending story,” coach Paul Put said on Supersport, speaking in the wake of their win over Togo.
“I’m the happiest coach of this tournament now as all we worked on in training came to play.”
Burkina Faso lost leading scorer Alain Traore to a thigh injury in their final group game, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament, but found a way to win against Togo with Jonathan Pitroipa heading in the winner in the 105th minute.
Ghana found the going a little easier as they saw off another of the tournament’s surprise packages, Cape Verde, 2-0 thanks to a Mubarak Wakaso double in the second half.
Asamoah Gyan pointed to the Black Stars’ experience as the difference between the two sides.
“The first half was a bit frustrating,” he told the Ghana Football Association’s website.
“We couldn’t go through their defence. But what made the difference in our victory was the penalty. When we scored, the game became opened.
“Although in the second half they dominated, we stood firm. We have experience and we kept our composure and in the late stages, we scored our second goal.
“In tournaments, it’s about you winning and qualifying to the next stage of the competition.”
The match will be played in Nelspruit, where the Mbombela Stadium pitch has been the focus of much criticism.
But it is also where Burkina Faso have played all four of their matches, and understanding the conditions could give them a critical edge.
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Wakaso should not take the next penalty.
Remember the 2010 world cup when Gyan took all the penalties, all eye were on him. Those South Americans knew he was going to be rewarded a penalty. They work against him and a big reason Gyan broke our hearts.
Lesson learned, now focus is turned on Wakaso and if Ghanaians will believe me and pick other player to kick our next penalty, the cup will come home. Let’s use the world cup example as lesson well learned tnx
man are u serious, is that ur logic, i know u can do better than that. C’mon, my God Ghanaians of the 21st century still think like this? I must be lost cos seriously this is horrible. ”the south Americans knew he was going to be rewarded a penalty?” no! Like seriously, how did they do that? C’mon don t be shy u can tell me. Lol, my medicinal laughter for the day is done. Gsn, u guys never fail me. I love this place
Agyeman Badu can also take it so dont worry.
FOR ME ASAMOAH GYAN LOOK A BIT SLUGGISH HE SHOULD TRY N LIFT HIS GAME A BIT.ADEBAYOR WAS SLUGGISH THAT WHY TOGO LOST ,SO PLEASE MR GYAN TAKE NOTE FROM THAT.
GHANA MEANS ,GOD HAS APPOINTED NKRUMAH ALREADY.
AND NKRUMAH MEANS,NOBLE KING RULING UNLIMITEDLY MAKING AFRICANS HAPPY.
MEANING GOD HAS CHOSEN GHANA TO WIN THIS YEARS CUP THOUGH THE BATTLE WILL NOT BE JUST EASY.
Gyan come on as a sub in our friendly matches against Egypt & Tunisia and he scored a goal in each game.Why cant AA try him as a sub?
Do not be afraid. Burkina Faso already knows that Ghana will be crown Champions.
Ghana will play their best game tomorrow. Boakye and Anann are well and kicking, Wakaso will have the freedom to distribute good passes.
This game is for Kwadwo, Gyan and Boakye.
All the best Burkina Faso..u will do it and re-write the AFCON history again.