Preview: Burkina Faso vs Nigeria

Sunday will be a historic day for the African Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso will face 2-time African Cup Champion in the Finals of the Cup. At the beginning of the tournament, Burkina Faso was no more than an ordinary team striving to reach the top of the table, but I’m sure by the end of the cup, they will be on top of the table, most probably coming second. I thought that Ghana or Côte d’Ivoire would reach the finals or would eventually win the trophy, but they were outplayed by fast skill, technique and also quick goals. Burkina Faso was the odd one out at the starting of the tournament but by the end, it defied all the odds, and undoubtedly, it has become one of the best teams in the cup. Unfortunately, they have more powerful opponents against them. Let us take a look at what both teams have in the offering:

Burkina Faso

Closest they have ever gotten:

4th place is the closest Burkina Faso has ever reached in the cup.

Man to watch out for:

Burkina Faso has a one man fighting machine, their clumsy but deadly forward.

Appearances in Finals:

1st appearance in Finals

Players which might not be included:

They have 4 players missing: Alain Traore (who scored three goals at the beginning of the tournament), Mohamed Koffi (might be taken out of the squad), Jonathan Pitroipa (who got sent off for two yellow cards), and their captain Charles Kabore (because of his indifferent form in the last few games)

Quarter Finals:

In the quarter- finals Burkina Faso won 1-0 in the extra-time against Togo.

Semi Finals:

In the semi-finals, Burkina Faso won 3-2.

Nigeria

Closest they have ever gotten:

Have won the Cup twice: 1980, 1994

Men to watch out for:

Emmanuel Emmenike (top scorer) and Victor Moses

Appearances in Finals:

7 appearances

Players who might not be included:

Their Captain

Quarter Finals:

Won 2-1 against Côte d’Ivoire

Semi Finals:

Won 4-1 against Mali

As you can see, Nigeria clearly look like the favourites to win this match but Burkina Faso have something called a “surprise factor”. They came in as a surprise from day 1 of the tournament and are now leaving its supporters dazzled. Also, Burkina Faso’s never-say-die spirit could keep out the Nigerian strikers. If the Nigerians go with Moses and John Obi Mikel as strikers, then well, the defense could be in trouble. Nigeria also have top scorer Emmanuel Emenike, who has scored an impressive 4 goals in the tournament. Nigeria could also look at history to give them a boost. They won against Burkina Faso in 2002. If Pitroipa or Moses are missing from the starting 11, then Burkina Faso also has an equal chance of winning. By looking at statistics, Nigeria have the edge in the final but they can also be surprised by the Burkina Faso team.