Burkina Faso on a mission

BURKINA Faso were not given much chance when they arrived in South Africa for the Afcon - but now they are just one game away from their best showing at the tournament.

In their eighth Afcon finals, they top their group, ahead of Nigeria, defending champions Zambia and Ethiopia.

If they win their quarterfinal on Sunday night they will reach the semifinals for the first time since 1998 when Philippe Troussier was their coach.

"We've been motivated by two things - qualifying for the tournament and playing against the champions Zambia," said coach Paul Put.

"I told players ... it's a moment to write history. Maybe this chance will never come again."

Burkina Faso are one of the emerging teams in Africa.

"It's the biggest achievement in the history of Burkina Faso," said Put. "Our first target was to do better than we did in the other Afcon tournament."

Last year Burkina Faso finished last in their group won by Ivory Coast, with Sudan second and Angola third.

At this tournament they drew with Nigeria and Zambia and pumped Ethiopia 4-0.

"We've drawn some mental strength from those games," said Put.

Although they have been to eight Afcon tournaments, they have seldom impressed anyone.

This tournament appears the exception for a team whose players mostly campaign in the Ghanaian Premier League and the lower leagues in France.

Skipper Moumouni Dagano is one of the senior members and the top scorer of all time for Burkina Faso with 31 goals.

Alain Traore, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh muscle strain, and Djakaridja Kone have been among the country's recent stars.