Nigeria, Ghana eye final berths

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 on Wednesday, followed by the match between Burkina Faso and Ghana in Nelspruit later the same day.

Ghana are seeking to end more than three decades without success at the Nations Cup since their last tournament victory while Nigeria have 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.
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.

Burkina Faso only previously made the semifinals when they hosted the tournament in 1998.  The losers in Wednesday's semifinals play for the bronze medal in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.