Burkina
Faso survived the controversial late dismissal of Jonathan Pitroipa to book
their first ever appearance in the African Nations Cup final with victory on
penalties over Ghana in Nelspruit.
Ghana
took the lead through a Mubarak Wakaso penalty in the first half but neither
side could force a winner after Aristide Bance levelled on the hour.
In
the shootout, Isaac Vorsah set the tone for Ghana with a terrible miss from 12
yards, the ball bobbling uselessly wide to the delight of the Burkina Faso
faithful.
Another
lamentable effort by Emmanuel Clottey had Ghana in even more trouble, and with
Burkina Faso netting through Bakary Kone, Henri Traore and Bance, the shootout
was settled when Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu's effort was saved by Daouda Diakite.
The
penalty showdown was a fitting finale to an enthralling contest over 120
minutes.
The
dreadful, sand-covered pitch at Mbombela Stadium might have been a major
talking point on any other night, but instead it was referee Slim Jedidi who
took centre stage with a string of controversial calls - most of which went
against Burkina Faso.
First
the official awarded a soft penalty from which Ghana took the lead, before
harshly ruling out a goal for Burkina Faso in extra time.
But
it was the dismissal of Pitroipa that left most observers scratching their
heads, the striker sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 117th
minute for simulation despite appearing to be caught by a defender in the area.
That
Burkina Faso survived his dismissal will be scant consolation to Pitroipa, who
cut a distraught figure as the rest of his team-mates celebrated sealing their
place in Sunday's final against Nigeria - for which he will be suspended.
Ghana
went ahead on 13 minutes as Madi Panandetiguiri was harshly ruled to have
pulled down Christian Atsu as the pair challenged in the area.
Wakaso
did not lose concentration amid the fierce protests of the Burkina Faso
defence, duly slotting a fine penalty kick low into the right corner.
It
was Wakaso's fourth goal of the tournament - and third from the penalty spot.
Asamoah
Gyan should have made it 2-0 on 58 minutes when he tried to steer home Atsu's
cross on the run but his effort came back off the right-hand post.
Gyan's
miss looked costly two minutes later as Burkina Faso levelled.
Agyemang-Badu
was robbed of possession in midfield and the ball was fed to Bance, who found a
huge gap between the centre-backs and had time to pick his spot.
Burkina
Faso were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch when Paul Koulibaly appeared to
kick Gyan in the groin after a tangle in the box inside the final 10 minutes.
The
offence appeared worthy of a red card and a penalty, but the referee instead
brandished a yellow card - much to the bemusement of the men in white.
The
last chance for either team in normal time came on 84 minutes when Atsu fired
in an effort from the edge of the area but Diakite got down to save.
In
extra time, the Burkinabe spurned a chance in the 99th minute when Kone headed
over the bar from Kabore's corner while unmarked six yards out.
Paul
Put's men continued to press the Ghana backline but luck was not on their side
in the 105th minute when Prejuce Nakoulma prodded the ball into the net only
for the referee to pull the play back for a soft foul.
And
the referee made another debatable call in the 117th minute as Pitroipa
advanced into the area and was clearly caught by the outstretched leg of John
Boye.
The
Burkina Faso bench rose as one to claim a penalty, but instead the referee went
to his pocket to brandish a second yellow card for simulation.
Gyan
flashed a header wide in the 119th minute as Ghana's final chance went away.
But
it was Burkina Faso who finished on the front foot, Bance's turn and shot
deflected over in the last meaningful attack as the lottery of penalties was
required to settle a breathless encounter.
Culled
from ESPN.com.
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