Two teams are set to battle it out for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final after Nigeria and Burkina Faso beat off semi-final opponents to reach the coveted showdown in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Nigeria are clear favourites to win the trophy for the first time in 19 years after a dominant display over Mali saw the Super Eagles cruse to a 4-1 victory. At 1.92 to win with Betfair Football, few fans betting online will be going against Nigeria on Sunday evening, but against Burkina Faso there could be a serious upset on the cards.
For Burkina Faso, although 4.80 to win the tournament, have turned heads throughout and cannot be taken lightly. Paul Put’s men bypassed a strong Togo side in the quarterfinals thanks to an extra-time goal from Jonathan Pitroipa, before scalping Ghana 3-2 on penalties in the semis.
It is quite remarkable that Burkina Faso, who started the tournament around 85.00 to win, have reached this final and there is no reason they cannot go on to claim the trophy. They have had all odds against them after finishing top of a tough group with Nigeria and 2012 winners, Zambia, and have played all five of their games at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.
As everyone who has watched the Afcon this year will know, Nelspruit’s pitch is absolutely dreadful and looks more like a sandpit than a sporting field. Burkina Faso have played 510 minutes on sand this tournament (including two bouts of extra time) and still made the final.
They may be exhausted when they enter the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg but they will not be downhearted. Granted, Nigeria are in form but so are Burkina Faso, making the final odds of both teams to score at 2.20 (betting.betfair) very favourable.
Afcon Final could Show Upset,
