Burkina Faso's first final!

Ghana disappointed again. Granted, they have not looked good in the tournament, and were lucky not to be eliminated by Cape Verde, but they remained favourites against Burkina Faso, who had never made it to a final before. As two years ago, penalty kicks in South Africa proved to be Ghana's doom, and just as Ivory Coast, Ghana must start to consider whether they are also a version of "old Spain", always entering tournaments as favourites and disappointing.
Burkina Faso in the meantime have been a delight, but they will be weakened in the final without Jonathan Pitroipa, who was red carded at the end of the match. While Burkina Faso will be a newcomer to the final they will face Nigeria, who entered the tournament without expectation but have been getting stronger and stronger, and were looking like champions when they crushed Mali 4-1 in their semifinal. For sure, Nigeria is on the verge of re-taking its rightful position as an African footballing superpower, amid all the chaos of its football. That said, the last hurdle of Burkina Faso will not be easy, as many fans will be cheering for the Burkinabes! Including myself!

Burkina Faso-Ghana in the semifinal

Burkina Faso has made it to the semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Togo in extra time on a goal by the Rennes player Jonathan Pitroipa. They will now face their southern neighbours and huge favourites, Ghana. But Ghana has been unconvincing, and that will surely give the Burkinabe's hope that they can create a surprise and make it to the final, while Ghana must surely improve from what they did against Cape Verde.
One thing is sure, Burkina Faso versus Ghana will be a match between the nicest fans and the friendliest people in the entire world! In that sense, it is a match everyone must watch!

Another Ivorian downer

In the last years the Ivory Coast has been one of the most hyped African teams. And with reason: headed by Didier Drogba the team has one of the strongest teams of experienced players in the best European leagues. But again and again they have disappointed. South Africa 2013 has been no exception. Today they lost 2-1 in the quarterfinals against a Nigeria that has been criticized throughout the tournament, but that has been growing stronger and stronger throughout the tournament. Emmanuel Emenike's opening goal was a thunderous kick and Sunday Mba's winning goal should put the locally-based player in the radar of European sides.
under coach Stephen Kechi. Stephen Kechi created discussion last year when he criticized African football for hiring European (white) coaches rather than qualified African coaches. The way Nigeria played today against French coach Sabri Lamouchi's Ivorian side, he must be delighted to prove his point.
Nigeria will now face Mali in another all-West African semi-final (the other being Burkina Faso-Ghana), and surely Nigeria must be considered as a candidate for the title now!

Ghana and Mali in the semifinals

In 2005 I was in Ghana when the Black Stars defeated Cape Verde 4-0, and with that result qualified for their first World Cup. Today, I wore my Ghana shirt as I watched Ghana take on a Cape Verde side that has surprised everyone in this their first Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana were obviously favourites against the first-timers, but this could not be seen. While Ghana dominated the early stages of the match, the Cape Verde team was the best side all in all, and even though I am happy Ghana won, I cannot help but feel a bit sorry for Cape Verde, who deserved better. Ghana was saved by their goalkeeper Abdul Dauda, and two goals by Wakaso Mubarak, one on penalty, and one in an empty goal when Cape Verde had thrown every many forward for a corner kick.
I have no doubt that overall Ghana is a better team than Cape Verde. But Ghana must play better if they are to win the tournament! They cannot rely just on Dauda and Wakaso!
In the other semi-final South Africa was full of expectations to the Bafana-Bafana, only to be disappointed again. 1-1 after extra time against Mali, who won the penalty kicks 3-1 after South Africa missed three penalties in a row. While South Africa are disappointed, this victory is surely another boost for Mali!

African Quarterfinals

With the time difference I have not had much chance to watch the Africa Cup of Nations. A couple of days ago I saw Nigeria's two penalty victory against Ethiopia in Group C that put the giants in the next round. Nigeria is eager for a success that has eluded the African giants for years, but their team is not looking that strong. The real surprise in group C was Burkina Faso. With 0-0 against the defending champions of Zambia they both won the group and eliminated the champions, an admirable feat, and it will be interesting to see them in the quarterfinals, where they will be up against Togo, while Nigeria will have it difficult against the favourites of Ivory Coast.
As expected Ivory Coast won their group D ahead of the Togolese. For Togo a 1-1 tie with Tunisia in their last match was enough, given Tunisia's bad score against the Ivorians.
My unapologetically favourite side is Ghana, whom I really hope to see lift the trophy. They were efficient in winning their group B, and will now face one of the surprise teams of the tournament, namely Cape Verde.  They were followed by Mali, a country with a strong team and full of hope given the difficult situation in the country. Mali will have it difficult in the next round as they will face the South African hosts, who won their group A. South Africa has not looked strong though, and that will be Mali's chance.
As mentioned, Cape Verde were a surprise. After ties against South Africa and Morocco, a 91st minute goal by Heldon Ramos put them in the quarterfinals in their first African Cup of Nations ever, a great feat by the small island nation!
The quarterfinals this weekend look as follows:

• South Africa-Mali
• Ghana-Cape Verde
• Ivory Coast-Nigeria
• Burkina Faso-Togo

Ghana on the way

I have unfortunately not had much chance of watching the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Not just because I miss the vuvuzelas, but also because of the great teams playing!
A few days ago I managed to watch a shaky Ivory Coast side defeat Togo 2-1 on a late goal by Gervinho. While Togo had deserved better, the Ivorians must surely up their game if they are not to be disappointed yet again in a big tournament, which looks to be the great Didier Drogba's last one!
My favourite team, as always, is Ghana. Again, I am full of hope that this time the Black Stars can go all the way, and show that if anyone, the title belongs to them, as the African team that did best in the last World Cup.
Ghana started with 2-2 against DR Congo, in a match where they were up 2-0, and did not manage to hold on. Today they were up against a strong and highly motivated Mali side that surely had the capacity to shake the Ghanaians. It was not a fantastic match. The Ghanaians played disciplined, fought hard, and defended very well after they got ahead 1-0 on a penalty taken by Wakaso. Mali tried, but in vain against the strong Ghanaians.
It wasn't pretty, but it worked, and Ghana is not first in the group with 4 points, and has Niger in their last match, which they should win.
Go Black Stars!