Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations | Semi-Finals

Feb 6, 2013 at 6.30pm UK

Burkina Faso
1-1
Ghana

Bance

Wakaso

Burkina Faso win 3-2 on penalties

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Match Report

Football

Burkina Faso reach Africa Cup of Nations final

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor

Published: February 6 2013 | 21:16

Last updated: February 7 2013 | 10:40

Burkina Faso reach their first ever Africa Cup of Nations final with a penalty-shootout victory over Ghana.

Burkina Faso have reached their first ever Africa Cup of Nations final with a penalty-shootout victory over Ghana.

Burkina Faso goalkeeper Daouda Diakite saves a penalty kick to win the match for his team during their penalty shoot out victory over Ghana on February 6, 2013 © AP Photos

The two sides were level at 1-1 after extra time before the Faso stunned their opponents 3-2 from the spot.

They will now face two-time champions Nigeria in Sunday's final.

Ghana took the lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute through Mubarak Wakaso after Madi Saidou Panandetiguiri was adjudged to have fouled Christian Atsu.

Burkina Faso player Aristide Bance celebrates with his head coach Paul Put after his side defeated Ghana in the African Cup of Nations on February 6, 2013 © AP Photos

Aristide Bance nearly equalised 10 minutes into the second half, only for goalkeeper Fatau Dauda to claw his header off the line.

Ghana were soon on the attack at the other end, but Asamoah Gyan's close-range effort came back off the post.

Burkina Faso finally levelled the match on the hour thanks to Bance's calm finish.

With both sides failing to find a winner in normal time, the Faso thought that they had taken the lead in the 105th minute when Prejuce Nakoulma poked the ball past Dauda. However, the referee controversially ruled the goal out because of a high boot from the striker.

More drama followed in the final minutes of extra time as Burkina Faso winger Jonathan Pitroipa picked up a second yellow card for diving in the penalty area.

Both teams struggled to convert their penalties, but it was Daouda Diakite's save from Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu that saw Burkina Faso through to Sunday's final.