After two days of break, the ball will again operate on lawns in South Africa for the semi-finals of the AFCON.
Four aces in the style of West African derby.
Curtain lifted on the semi-final, the Eagles in a duel in Durban.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the final four sides at the Africa Cup of Nations are all West African. And so, as the 2013 installment of the continent’s most prestigious tournament enters its penultimate phase, we have a pair of regional derbies to be played in Nelspruit and Durban.
Ghana, who have played all four of their matches in Port Elizabeth, will finally uproot and make the long journey northeast to Nelspruit, which has become the de-facto home of Burkina Faso. The Burkinabé have not conceded a goal since the first half of their opening match at Mbombela Stadium, so for Ghana to progress to the finals that many are expecting them to win they’ll have to break an imposing 367-minute shutout streak.
The Black Stars, however, are the competition’s top-scorers through four matches and have been getting their offense from everywhere.
Espanyol midfielder Wakaso Mubarak is their surprise scoring leader with three goals so far, but Kwadwo Asamoah and Christian Atsu have also found the back of the net in South Africa. Those two, along with Wakaso and captain Asamoah Gyan, help form a dangerous four-pronged attack.
On Wednesday their assignment will be to find a way through the Stallions’ imposing defensive partnership of Bakary Koné and Paul Koulibaly, who are shielded by midfielders Issouf Ouattara and Charles Kaboré.
At the other end of the park Burkina Faso will be hoping iconic striker MoumouniDagano can nick one or that Jonathan Pitroipa repeats his heroics of Sunday, when he scored the extra-time winner against Togo in the quarterfinals.
Almost due south in Durban, two-time African champions Nigeria will be looking to derail the momentum of Mali, which has been inspired by the ongoing hostilities back home.
Mali captain Seydou Keita has been outspoken in his desire to bring happiness to his embattled countrymen who have been resisting, along with French intervention, the aggression of Islamist rebels from the country’s north and on Saturday conducted his post-match press conference with the Malian tricolor draped over his shoulder.
Mali won their quarterfinal against tournament hosts South Africa on penalties but will need to dig even deeper into their reserve of inspiration if they’re to beat Nigeria, who felled Ivory Coast on Sunday.
Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi was brave in selecting his Cup of Nations squad, opting to leave out establishment favourites Yakubu, Obafemi Martins, John Utaka and Peter Odemwingie. And despite a wealth of European talent at his beckon call, he brought five domestic-based players into his setup, two of which defender Godfrey Oboabona of Sunshine Stars and Enugu Rangers midfielder Sunday Mba started against the Ivorians. Mba scored what proved to be the winner with 12 minutes to play.
Keshi’s bravery has already been vindicated, and Nigeria should be tipped to advance to Sunday’s final in Johannesburg. But in their way is an opponent not only gifted in its own right, but motivated by current events as well. In any sport, at any level, that’s a formidable mix.
1st Match-
Match: Nigeria vs Mali
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Date: Wednesday, 6 FebruaryKick-off: 15:00 GMT
2nd Match-
Match: Burkina Faso vs Ghana
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Nelspruit
Date: Wednesday,6 February Kick-off: 18:30 GMT