Finally, after months, if not years
of anticipation, Nigeria re-emerge at the continental high table. All
that stands in the way of a
triumphant return to Africa's
centrepiece occasion are the
Stallions of Burkina Faso, west African neighbours unlikely to roll
over for Stephen Keshi's Super Eagles. In recent friendly matches,
against Catalunya and Cape
Verde, the 'Big Boss' has shuffled
his pack, attempting to find the
right blend of superstars and
workhorses, trying to forge a complete outfit out of the players
at his disposal. John Obi Mikel will
surely feature in the heart of the
midfield, but will the Chelsea man
be employed with a defensive or
an attacking remit? The answer to this question may
determine who plays alongside him
in Keshi's 4-3-3 formation.
Perhaps it will be Norway-based
midfielder Fegor Ogude, or maybe
Nosa Igiebor will be allowed to fulfil creative duties in the centre
of the field. Despite losing all three of their
games at the last Afcon, Burkina
Faso arrive at South Africa keen
to demonstrate improvement
from 2012 – and are more than
capable of pulling off a shock. Midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa is a
player with the potential to cause
Nigeria trouble, and although
vocal before the tournament
about the difficulties within the
group, the Super Eagles will need to keep close tabs on Rennes'
creative hub. Pitroipa will likely be supporting
Moumouni Dagano and Alain
Traore, and the pair have more
than enough natural ability to
test Vincent Enyeama and the
defenders charged with protecting Nigeria's goal. Charles
Kabore of Marseille, is a key
player at the back for Burkina
Faso, and he will need to be on
top form for the Stallions to get
anything from the match. DID YOU KNOW? Nigeria's opposition used to
play as 'The Upper Volta'
before the country changed
their name in 1984 to Burkina Faso. The Super Eagles have
finished in third-place a
record six times, beating
Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal,
Algeria, and Mali (twice) in the
play-off matches. WhilstNigeria have become the Kings of third-place
finishes at the Afcon, Burkina
Faso's best effort was in
1998, on home soil, when the
Stallions finished in fourth
place. Along with Niger, the
Burkinabe struggled at Afcon
2012 - departing the
tournament after the group
stage, having accumulated no
wins and zero points.

Nigeria nearly escape and become first winner in the group.
Burkina Faso is just being lucky, though to an extend worked hard for it.