Burkina Faso had destiny written in Ghana’s stars

By Robin Toskin in Nelspruit

Burkina Faso against expectation authored their history by beating Ghana to book a date with Nigeria in Sunday finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at National Stadium, Johannesburg.

Yours truly was inside Mbombela Stadium and passed the following verdict:

There is fate in football:Ghana survived throughout the tournament thanks to big Lady Luck that smiled at them. Cape Verde coach Lucio Antunes signed off their exit saying the “best team went home.” If you doubt just re-winding the Ghana v Burkina Faso match. For all their talent and big names, Ghana was second best all night.

It’s all in the mind: A time comes when you just have to stand up to the ogre and tell it enough is enough. Burkina Faso, so often the whipping boys of the Africa Cup of Nations (remember our good old Harambee Stars beat them 3-0 at Tunisia 2004?), said no to their West African big brothers Ghana.

They went toe-to-toe and had the presence of mind to level matters after Ghana took the lead through a controversial penalty.

If Ghana had Isaac Vorsah (Redbull Salzburg), Burkina Faso answered through Keba Paul (Dinamo Bucuresti). If they sprung up John Boye (Rennes), Bakary Kone (Lyon) responded for the Stallions.

You need your big names to turn up: Burkina Faso has fed off the industry of nimble-feet Jonathan Pitroipa.

Ghana’s big men Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah – the man who has been in imperious form for Italian champions Juventus – did not turn for the Burkina Faso match.

Even against Cape Verde Islands, Gyan and accompany had a day off. Pitroipa was a gem at the Africa Cup of Nations, it is a pity he was red-carded by a poor Tunisia referee Jdidi Slim.

The Stade Rennes man was second off for a second bookable offence yet he was clearly upended by John Boye.

Team success is pegged on coaches being respected: Burkina faso has been the epitome of discipline, both tactical and decorum on the pitch.

Bar the red card to Pitroipa and the innocuous sending off of goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama, who held the ball outside the box against Ethiopia.

Their Belgian coach Paul Put may not be a big name in world football. But the players rallied behind him, always sipping from his philosophy and commitment to steeliness of mind.

At their Macure Hotel and during the pre and post match press conferences in Nelspruit, Burkina Faso were the darlings of the media.

Woe unto you if you are a small team: Burkina Faso will feel hard done by the decisions that went against them particularly by a see-no evil on the part of referee from Tunisia, Jdidi Slim.

That Ghana was awarded a penalty when Christian Atsu tumbled following the slightest of touches and yet when John Boye shoved Pitroipa to the ground inside the box, it was nothing doing for the referee.

Then came the big moment when Boye again tripped Pitroipa as he burst into the area. Slim flashed a second yellow and off the inspiration midfielder was gone!

Whatever happens to Burkina Faso come the final day on Sunday, they will leave with their heads held high. The Stallions have proven to be the real ‘dark horses’ of the tournament.

 


 

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