Nigeria were beatable - Bance
Burkina Faso hitman Aristide Bance told supersport.com, a day after they lost the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final to Nigeria, that the Super Eagles did not exhibit the standard he expected during the clash at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The FC Augsburg striker said he was expecting a merciless showdown from the Vincent Enyeama-led squad but met a relatively assailable side that struggled against them despite the avalanche of supporters and favourable previews.
“Although we lost, I don’t feel personally vanquished. I have to congratulate the Super Eagles for their victory but I can say Burkina Faso didn’t lose,” the 28-year-old said.
“Nigeria were lucky to have scored first, otherwise it would have been difficult for them to equalise and carry the day. The encounter was quite balanced. For a team reaching the Afcon final for the first time and holding a two-time champion to a narrow one-goal win I can say it’s a victory for us and great inspiration for the future of the team,” he said.
Asked if Alain Traore’s presence would have made some difference in their favour, Bance cancelled out that possibility with the absence also of Nigeria’s rocket forward Emmanuel Emenike.
“If you say we would have probably had an edge if Alain Traore had played then you can as well say Nigeria could have done much better had Emenike played.”
