Burkina Faso vs Ghana Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Burkina Faso’s dream of replicating their 2013 African Cup of Nations success ended on penalties on Wednesday as the most successful side in the tournament’s history booked their place in the final.

Despite this heartbreaking end to the competition, Burkina Faso can be proud of their efforts. They were very much the more adventurous team against the defensively minded Egypt, and after going a goal down in the second half they became the first team this year to score past them.

In normal time Burkina Faso remain unbeaten in the African Cup of Nations, winning twice and drawing three times. Most of these teams were clear favourites going into the match, so it’s another triumph of tactical astuteness over raw talent.

Ghana were the victims of tactical astuteness in their semi final clash. They were clear favourites against a rather average Cameroon side but thoroughly deserved the 2-0 loss they suffered. They have won three and lost two of their five matches in this tournament, and prior to the tournament they had failed to win their last five games.

Of course, a third place playoff is never the most hotly of contested sides, but I think Burkina Faso will be more up for the game than their opponents. They have once again gone further than they were expected to and will want something to show for their efforts. Ghana, on the other hand, have been the victim of an upset and are far more used to making it to this stage than their opponents.

It’s also unlikely we will see their talisman striker Asamoah Gyan in action following his recent injury, and instead we could see some youth prospects being given the nod. Teenage Schalke stirker Bernard Tekpetey is one to watch for Ghana, but if he does play that would leave one of the Ayew brothers on the bench.

On the balance of things I think Burkina Faso are rather overpriced here. They haven’t lost in normal time in this tournament and I don’t expect their mentality to change here. Odds of 4/6 for a Burkina Faso Win or Draw Double Chance is excellent value, and I’m also going for a 1-0 correct score predictions at 7/1.