Burkina Faso beats Ghana on Penalties (3)1-1(2) to play Nigeria in the AFCON 2013 finals

The Stallions of Burkina Faso on Wednesday in Nelspruit beat the Black Stars of Ghana 3-2 on penalties after a pulsating 120 minutes of high octane football wrought with drama, intrigue and controversy.

Ghana had earlier gone ahead 1-0 in the 13^th minute when Kaboré was harshly adjudged by the Tunisian referee, Slim Jedidi to have pulled back Christian Atsu in the 18 yard box and Mubarak Wakaso slotted in from the penalty spot.

Ghana could have doubled the lead shortly afterwards when Asamoah Gyan was free on goal but his effort was turned around the post by Daouda Diakite in goal for Burkina Faso.

The second half saw a more spirited and energetic Burkinabe team with the duo of Aristide Bancé and Jonathan Pitroipa tormenting the Ghanaian defence. In the 60^th minute of play Bancé restored the game to parity from the edge of the 18 yard box after being fed with the ball by Kaboré. 

In the final 10 minutes of regulation time the referee became the center of attention again when he failed to dismiss Paul Koulibaly for lunging with his studs into Gyan’s groin.

The game was deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes resulting in additional 30 minutes of extra time to determine a winner. 

Burkina Faso had a genuine goal disallowed on the death of the first half of extra time by the center referee in what looked like a good goal, yet Bancé looked very enterprising and almost stole the show in the 111^th minute when he drove in a half volley that was cleared off the Ghanaian goal line. 

Slim’s decision making ability was called into question yet again when Pitroipa was harshly adjudged in the 115^th minutes to have simulated a dive after rounding off Boye in the Ghanian penalty box, and was given the matching order after being shown his second yellow of the night. 

Both teams settled for the lottery of penalty kicks with Burkina Faso converting three while Ghana only converted two. Jonathan Pitroipa will miss the final against Nigeria unless a successful appeal is made to the CAF disciplinary committee.