“A WEST AFRICAN WAR IN THE OFFING”

If one had told me that the Semi-finals and finals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa were to be dominated by teams from West Africa from the onset, I would have been caught between optimism and pessimism.

This is due to the fact that reigning Champions; Zambia were looking forward to defend their title within a period of one year, making the title chase by other teams a keen one.
Try as teams from other blocs of the continent(Eastern, Southern and Northern) did, the saying that “The best comes from the West” has manifested itself here with four teams from West Africa progressing from the quarter final stage to the semis and the grande finale.

These four teams include; The Black Stars(Ghana),The Stallions(Burkina Faso),The Eagles(Mali) and The Super Eagles(Nigeria). These teams would have to outwit each other in order to lift the cup in the finals and doing this will be very fascinating. For the one between Ghana and Burkina Faso, if there is any word to describe it, I would opt for “War” as the Stars might fight to the last drop of their blood to clinch this year’s trophy to end their 30- year drought of trophy.

The last meeting between the two was in 2010 and it ended 1-0 in favour of Ghana but I know the following questions are lingering on the minds of many and being asked repeatedly.

1.Will the Black Stars of Ghana have any bragging right and shine today?

2. Can the Stallions outrun the Stars?

Beside the encounter between the two, another scintillating match would be the one involving the two other teams from West Africa; Mali and Nigeria. Africans and audiences worldwide would be treated to moves, skills, physique, telepathic play among African players in the semis and the grande finale.

All the best to the Black Stars in their quest for the title!

Go Africa! Go Ghana!! Go Black Stars!!!