AFCON CAMEROON 2021 Afcon 2013 : Burkina Faso stun defending champions

Burkina Faso sprung a major surprise at the African Nations Cup when they drew 0-0 with holders Zambia on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals along with Nigeria, who beat Ethiopia 2-0.

Burkina Faso topped the Group C standings above Nigeria on goal difference, but Zambia crashed out following dramatic conclusions to the final round of matches.

Nigeria overcame strong resistance from Ethiopia in Rustenburg, but two late penalties from Victor Moses set up a heavyweight clash with the Ivory Coast in Sunday’ quarter-finals. Burkina Faso will play Tunisia or Togo, ensuring at least one surprise semi-finalist.

Zambia’s failure to beat Burkina Faso meant they suffered the ignominy of being the first holders to go out in the first round in defence of their title since Algeria in 1992.

Burkina Faso went into Tuesday’s final group matches with a two-point advantage and quickly set about building a defensive fortress to keep Zambia at bay and seal a place in last eight for the first time since 1998.

But the holders were still in contention as long as Nigeria were being held goalless by Ethiopia, who had not been expected to put up such stout resistance.

Had both matches ended goalless, Zambia and Nigeria would have finished tied on points, goal difference and goals scored and would have had to be separated by their disciplinary records.

The scenario of a last-eight place being determined by a countback of yellow cards or toss of a coin was alive until Moses converted an 80th-minute penalty to put Nigeria ahead.

That meant Zambia had to go for the win against Burkina Faso to join them in the top two places and they threw everything forward to force a breakthrough.

They had been restricted to a single real chance in the 17th minute squandered by Collins Mbesuma.

Central defenders Stopilla Sunzu and Hichani Himoonde joined three strikers up front to create a siege on the Burkina goal, but the Burkinabe defended for all they were worth.

Centre back Bakary Kone suffered a cut to the mouth in a clash of heads and was bleeding in the final exchanges.

Coach Paul Put called it a historic night for Burkina Faso football.

“We had double motivation being close to qualification and playing against the champions. I told the players this chance might never come again,” he told reporters.

As time ebbed away in Nelspruit, Nigeria added a second goal through another Moses penalty in Rustenburg.

Moses struck the second past outfield player Addis Hintsa, who had to go in goal after keeper Sasay Bancha was sent off for bringing down Moses in the box in the 85th.

Ethiopia had used all three substitutes and finished with 10 men for the second time in the competition after keeper Jemal Tassew was also dismissed in their opening match against Zambia.

“I was not really aware that we were absolutely level [with Zambia] because I was concentrating so much on our game, but in the end it did not matter,” said Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi.

“I thought Ethiopia made it hard for us, they were very organised and played well, but we deserved it in the end.” Zambia depart after three unconvincing draws, but a spirited finish.

Zambia coach Herve Renard said he could not fault his players.

“They gave everything,” he said. “It’s better to at least have one a title in your life than get to the quarter-final and crash out every time.”


17 Comments

  1. hello
    It’s a good post.Thank you for sharing.

  2. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you,
    you have hit the nail on the head. The problem
    is something that not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy that I came across this in my hunt for
    something relating to this.

    Check out my web page: エルメス ボストンバッグ

  3. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in
    Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do
    with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon.
    Kudos

    Here is my weblog – ボストンバッグ キーホルダー

  4. I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you
    did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  5. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site so i came to
    “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my web site!I
    suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

    Here is my page エド ハーディー ダウンジャケット

  6. Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and for
    my part suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

    Review my site ボストンバッグ 信頼

  7. Your way of describing everything in this paragraph is genuinely fastidious, all can effortlessly be aware of it,
    Thanks a lot.

    Also visit my web-site 豪華 テーラードジャケット 超安

  8. I really love your website.. Pleasant colors & theme.

    Did you build this amazing site yourself?

    Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own blog and want to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called.
    Thank you!

    Also visit my blog … ステンカラージャケット アウトレット (Estelle)

  9. I want to to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it.
    I’ve got you book marked to look at new things you post…

  10. What i do not realize is in fact how you’re now not actually much more well-appreciated than you may be now.
    You’re very intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably in terms of this subject, made me for my part believe it from numerous numerous angles.

    Its like men and women are not fascinated until it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga!
    Your personal stuffs great. At all times maintain it up!

    My blog post; 品質 パンプス 超安 (Jessie)

  11. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you
    are a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and may come back in the future.
    I want to encourage yourself to continue your
    great work, have a nice weekend!

  12. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and without
    a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem
    is something which not enough folks are speaking
    intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my search for something regarding this.

    my blog post :: 特価 靴 超歓迎 – Katherine

  13. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that will make the most significant changes.
    Many thanks for sharing!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog; 公式 ウォーキングシューズ 格安通販

  14. Hello, just wanted to say, I liked this article. It was funny.
    Keep on posting!

    my blog post :: アウトレット かごバッグ 2013

  15. It’s very trouble-free to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as
    I found this paragraph at this web page.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage アウトレット テーラードジャケット 大人気 (Adrianne)

  16. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it
    but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your
    blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog
    and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

    my web page … 安心 フラットシューズ (Sol)

  17. I love it whenever people get together and share
    opinions. Great website, stick with it!

    my website – 秋冬 フラットシューズ 専営店

Leave a Reply to ボストンバッグ 信頼 Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *