NIGERIA
 Enyeama Omeruo, Oboabona, Yobo, Elderson Igiebor, Mikel, Ogude Musa, Uche, Moses |
BURKINA FASO
 Diakite H.Traore, B.Kone, Koulibaly, Panandetiguiri Pitroipa, Rouamba, Kabore, Koffi A. Traore Dagano |
The Super Eagles faced the Stallions of Burkina Faso today Monday for the second game of Group C in Nelspruit.
Accoding to Keshi“This is very much a work in-progress but don’t get me wrong this is a good side. We have a right balance and good blend of local players and those playing abroad,”
“We come into the tournament after a pleasing training camp where the boys worked together as a unit, something l am working on improving.
“That goalless draw against Cape Verde was largely so because we
missed numerous chances we should have put away especially in the first
half. Cape Verde took advantage of our low tempo approach to the game
and really stood up to us.”
Finally, after months, if not years of anticipation, Nigeria
re-emerge at the continental high table. All that stands in the way of a
triumphant return to Africa’s centrepiece occasion are the Stallions of
Burkina Faso, west African neighbours unlikely to roll over for Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles.
In recent friendly matches, against Catalunya and Cape Verde, the
'Big Boss' has shuffled his pack, attempting to find the right blend of
superstars and workhorses, trying to forge a complete outfit out of the
players at his disposal. John Obi Mikel will surely feature in the heart
of the midfield, but will the Chelsea man be employed with a defensive
or an attacking remit?
The answer to this question may determine who plays alongside him in
Keshi’s 4-3-3 formation. Perhaps it will be Norway-based midfielder
Fegor Ogude, or maybe Nosa Igiebor will be allowed to fulfil creative
duties in the centre of the field.
Despite losing all three of their games at the last Afcon, Burkina
Faso arrive at South Africa keen to demonstrate improvement from 2012 –
and are more than capable of pulling off a shock. Midfielder Jonathan
Pitroipa is a player with the potential to cause Nigeria trouble, and
although vocal before the tournament about the difficulties within the
group, the Super Eagles will need to keep close tabs on Rennes’ creative
hub.Pitroipa will likely be supporting Moumouni Dagano and Alain Traore, and the pair have more than enough natural ability to test Vincent Enyeama and the defenders charged with protecting Nigeria’s goal. Charles Kabore of Marseille, is a key player at the back for Burkina Faso, and he will need to be on top form for the Stallions to get anything from the match
Burkina Faso team had vowed to put up the fight of their lives when they tackle the Super Eagles in their Group C opener.
They made good their promise, this evening, when they came back from a goal down to equalise against Nigeria, 2 minutes into injury time.
Nigeria’s
midfielder Fegor Ogude (R) vies with Burkina Faso’s Ahmed Musa during
the Afcon’s Nigeria vs Burkina Faso group C match AFP PHOTO
DO YOU KNOW
- Nigeria's opposition used to play as 'The Upper Volta' before the country changed their name in 1984 to Burkina Faso.
- The Super Eagles have finished in third-place a record six times, beating Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, and Mali (twice) in the play-off matches.
- Whilst Nigeria have become the Kings of third-place finishes at the Afcon, Burkina Faso's best effort was in 1998, on home soil, when the Stallions finished in fourth place.
- Along with Niger, the Burkinabe struggled at Afcon 2012 - departing the tournament after the group stage, having accumulated no wins and zero points.
