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. 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rescinded after Caf decided that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. 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.