The die is cast! An appearance in the finals of AFCON 2017 is on offer and the stakes can’t be higher for Burkina Faso and Egypt as they lock horns to determine the first finalist of this year’s premier African football competition.
This stage is coveted by many but like the Biblical say “many are called but only few are chosen” – These two teams are among the privileged four to add this feat to the curriculum.
The Burkinables
Burkina Faso had been a revelation in this tournament. They are undefeated also – wining on and drawing two in their group matches before dispatch Tunisia in the quarter finals. They have scored six goals and conceded only two on their way to this stage and look both solid at the back and in the midfield.
What they lack in attack is compensated for in the bursting and all action display of one of the best players in the tournament; Prejuce Nakoulma. While not fluent at the top end of the pitch; they can hurt anyone with their pace, energy and self-belief. Having played in the finals in 2013 where they narrowly lost to the Super Eagles of Nigeria; they must surely fancy their chance against the Egyptians tonight.
The Pharaohs
The Pharaohs have not been playing to their high standards. But like all great teams; they have managed to win and hold on to get to this lofty height where only two games remain for them to claim their eight title. Could it be done? The ball is squarely in the courts of Hector Cuper and his men!
Similar to the Stallions, the Egyptians have not lost a game yet in this completion. And taking it a notch higher, they haven’t conceded any goal. Commandeered at the back by ageless Essam El Haddary, Mohammed Shafy and Ahmed Fathy – they are as tough as you can get and I am sure Burkina Faso will find out about this.
Egypt also hasn’t scored many goals in this tournament. It could be said that they are miserly at both end of the pitch but they have got Mohammed Sallah – a young but fearless strike who has scored 28 times for the Pharaohs in just 50 appearances. He is the man that the Stallions must watch out as he could chose this encounter to emphasize his presence at this AFCON.
It is going to be an enjoyable game and I do hope we won’t get into another penalty kicks!
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