Sunday sees the 29th Africa Cup of Nations final, with favourites Nigeria taking on rank outsiders Burkina Faso in Johannesburg to bring down the curtain on what has been a fabulous three weeks of football in South Africa.
The showdown is a repeat of these two nations’ Group C opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw, although both sides go into the contest with differing emotions.
For the Super Eagles, this represents a chance to win their first continental title since 1994, and third overall, in what is their first appearance in the final since 2000.
However, Sunday’s showpiece event is the Stallions’ first ever Afcon final and they enter it without top scorer Alain Traore due to a thigh injury picked up in the group stages against Zambia.
Influential winger Jonathan Pitroipa, who was harshly sent off in their semi-final victory over Ghana, has had his suspension overturned and is now eligible to play in the final. – bleacherreport
