Ghana-Burkina Faso Betting Preview: Black Stars to win and make Africa Cup of Nations final

Feb 5, 2013 12:05:00 PM

James Kwesi Appiah's men are now the favourites to lift the trophy, and Jamie Dickenson is backing them to progress to the showpiece within 90 minutes

Tournament favourites Ghana take on outsiders Burkina Faso in the second Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa.

And at the price of evens (2.00) available from Paddy Power, the Black Stars are well worth backing to progress within 90 minutes.

Ghana are the form team of the competition having won their last three games without conceding, after picking up an opening day 2-2 draw with DR Congo.

Since then Mali, Niger and the Cape Verde have been dispatched by the West African side, who will be determined to go one better than in 2010 and win the continental trophy.

Standing in their way at the semi-final stage is Burkina Faso, who have undoubtedly overachieved to get to this position but could spring another shock and secure victory here at 12/5 (3.40).

The Stallions have won just one of their four games in normal time during the tournament so far, and needed extra time to edge past Togo 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

Paul Put's side would take another draw during 90 minutes, an outcome priced at 2/1 (3.00), but even that may be too much to ask given they are without top-scorer Alain Traore.

While African heavyweights Ivory Coast and host nation South Africa have already been knocked out, this Ghana side are delivering results.

Odds of 6/4 (2.50) to win the competition outright are worth considering for James Kwesi Appiah's team, as is their price of 21/10 (3.10) to record a fourth straight win to nil in this game.

Ghana midfielder Wakaso Mubarak has scored the most goals for his country in this tournament with three to his name so far, despite missing the Niger win after picking up a second booking celebrating one of his goals against Mali.

Mubarak came off the bench last time out to notch both goals in the quarter-final, and he should earn a starting spot for this last four meeting with Burkina Faso.

Given that he is the team's delegated penalty taker - and has scored two spot-kicks already - the Espanyol player is worth backing at 7/4 (2.75) to score anytime.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Ghana to win at Evens (2.00) with Coral

Wakaso Mubarak to score anytime at 7/4 (2.75) with Coral

Jamie Dickenson is a 22-year-old freelance journalist who specialises in football, sports and betting.

More of his work can be found here - and you can also follow Jamie on

Follow GoalBetting on

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Terry and Nani wanted by Galatasaray
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind