NELSPRUIT — Ghana and Nigeria hope they are headed for a heavyweight clash in the African Nations Cup final but Mali and Burkina Faso could well emerge as the spoilers in Wednesday's semifinals. For the first time in Nations Cup history, all four semifinalists are from the west African region and while Ghana and Nigeria have the pedigree, Mali appeared to have the most depth while Burkina Faso proved the surprise package. Mali and Nigeria meet in the first semifinal in Durban Wednesday, followed by the match between Burkina Faso and Ghana in Nelspruit later the same day. Ghana is seeking to end more than three decades without success at the Nations Cup since its last tournament victory while Nigeria has only won twice before, the last time in 1994. Both teams have admitted they are in a rebuilding phase, as inexperienced youngsters with bright futures dominate their selection as they seek to use the tournament in South Africa to aim for future success. However, having progressed this far, both countries suddenly have a chance to fulfill potentials ahead of schedule and also restore reputations lost in recent times. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is basking in the satisfaction of seeing his controversial selections pay off. “Somehow, the Nigeria fans don't appreciate their players. But I know my team, I know their mentality. I know the boys I picked were right, I have confidence in them,” he said. Keshi feels very close to the Mali team, saying he developed many good relationships and had a wonderful experience while coaching them a few years ago. Keshi says he was treated extremely well when he led Mali from 2008-10 and still has contact with many of the players he coached. The former Nigeria captain says he will be “highly professional” to try to lead his team to the final for the first time in more than a decade. A two-time champion, Nigeria arrives slightly favored to progress after getting past Ivory Coast's star-filled squad in the quarterfinals. The Super Eagles are led by Chelsea duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel and also count on Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike. The countries have clashed at full international level six times with four of those matches at the Nations Cup. Nigeria won three and the others have been drawn. The last meeting of the Super Eagles and the Eagles was at the 2008 African tournament in Ghana and finished goalless. Blocking the two heavyweights' passage to Sunday's final are two countries with far less resources but peaking on the back of talented crops of players. Mali's charge is being led by 33-year-old Seydou Keita and augmented by a team full of players with European league experience, particularly Ligue 1. They have proven to have a powerful midfield and in Mamadou Samassa, coach Patrice Carteron claims to have the best goalkeeper in the competition. Samassa is likely to return from suspension to replace Soumbeyla Diakite, who was the hero of Saturday's penalty shootout win over host South Africa in the quarterfinal. Burkina Faso's progress has come on the back of keeping a clean sheet in its last five-odd hours of action, plus the strength of skipper Charles Kabore in midfield and Jonathan Pitroipa's wing play. It has overcome the loss of key attacker Alain Traore to injury, but not before he had scored three times in the first two matches. “I'm the happiest coach of this tournament now as all we worked on in training came to play,” said Burkina Faso's Belgian coach Paul Put. Burkina Faso only previously made the semifinals when it hosted the tournament in 1998. Despite Ghana coming in a massive 66 rungs above Burkina Faso in FIFA's world rankings, only a fool would rule out the Stallions' chances. The losers in Wednesday's semifinals play for the bronze medal in Port Elizabeth Saturday. — Agencies
