2013 Africa Cup of Nations

[Gazz]

Cheik returns!

To the bench because he's been crap this season

[Lineker]

As predicted, Nigeria are unchanged - so Joseph Yobo, who's been injured and came on as a late, late sub in the game against Ivory Coast, remains on the bench, and there's no place for Fegor Ogude in the midfield, even though he's back from suspension. For Mali though, lots of changes - four in total. As the coach told us, Mamadou Samassa comes back in goal - despite Soumaila Diakite's heroics in the penalty shoot out against South Africa. Adama Coulibaly has lost his place in defence, with Mahamadou N'diaye replacing him. And in the midfield Samba Diakite and Samba Sow are replaced by Kalilou Traore and Mahamane Traore.

[Thrilla]

Got a free bet from Paddy, so have lumped it on Ghana in the 18:30 kick off. Ghana win some money!

[MDK]

The ref is on the take

[Adam]

Delighted Burkina Faso won through, that has to be one of the worst refereeing performances of all time.

[Thrilla]

Useless Ghana.

[Lineker]

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) suspends Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi after his performance in Wednesday's African Cup of Nations semi-final between Burkina Faso and Ghana.

Jdidi controversially gave Burkina Faso forward Jonathan Pitroipa a second yellow card for simulation</a> that sees the 26-year-old miss Sunday's final against Nigeria.

"Referees are graded on each performance and based on his marks the referee from Tunisia is now suspended for a period of time still to be determined," general secretary Hicham El Amrani said.

----

BBC Sport's Damian Johnson in Johannesburg ahead of Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Burkina Faso: "The Burkina Faso squad turned up at Nelspruit airport to fly to Johannesburg for Sunday's final only to be told there was no aircraft available. They were informed that they would face a four hour wait until a flight could be arranged. It's a further hindrance to their chances in the final after a gruelling penalty shoot out victory over Ghana in the semi final. Extra time had failed to separate the two sides."

[Adam]

Man, someone really doesn't want Burkina Faso upsetting the apple cart here.

I hope they knock off Nigeria, it'd be amazing.

[Lineker]

Good news though:

Burkina Faso's star player Jonathan Pitroipa is set to play in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria after his semi-final red card looks set to be reversed.

Pitroipa was sent off against Ghana for two yellow cards. But, referee Slim Jdidi has said he made a mistake giving the second yellow card for diving.

"Everyone realised that this referee did not officiate well," Caf president Issa Hayatou says. "They've told me the referee has sent a letter saying he got it wrong."

[Colly]

Surprised they can do that frankly.

[Thrilla]

Its the ACON, normal rules don't apply. >_>

[METALMAN]

Just realised that an ex-Killie player is playing in this for Cape Verde, so they shall be who I'm supporting throughout this!

Really? Who?

[Adam]

To be fair red cards get rescinded in the Premier League, I don't see this as being any different save for it being for two yellows.

[Colly]

Yellow cards can't be rescinded. That's the difference. And that's not just the Premier League.

[Lineker]

Think it was cos the ref admitted that he fucked up and has since been suspended.

[Colly]

Even so. Was it Fletcher or Scholes (or someone else) who got a harsh yellow in a Champions League semi? Seem to remember someone on their final opponents team got one too, and both considered appealling. Nothing doing.

I wouldn't mind it being in place, albeit only yellows for incorrect dives, handballs etc since most yellows are for a couple of fouls, but it isn't.

[Lineker]

Stephen Keshi has resigned, less than 24 hours after guiding Nigeria to AFCON glory.

EDIT: But then he changed his mind!