EVER SEEN DROGBA LIKE A KING GALATASA

Drogba raring to go for Galatasaray after former Chelsea 

Didier Drogba received a warm welcome as he arrived in Istanbul having agreed to join Turkish club Galatasaray in the January transfer window.

Former Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder received a similarly rapturous welcome when he arrived in the Turkey last month, and Drogba expressed his delight at joining the Dutchman having left Chinese team Shanghai Shenhua.

The Ivory Coast captain's arrival was delayed by his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mobbed: Didier Drogba is surrounded by photographers after arriving in Istanbul

New chapter: Didier Drogba held up a Galatasaray flag after arriving in Istanbul this afternoon

Unveiled: Drogba holds up a scarf with his name emblazoned across

Barricade: Police hold back baying fans who push to see their new hero Drogba

But the former Chelsea striker's hopes of winning the tournament for the first time were scuppered when Nigeria put the Ivorians out.

Drogba stepped off the plane this afternoon and held up a flag with the club colours and crest printed on it before meeting up with head coach Fatih Terim.

When the 34-year-old arrived at Galatasaray's training base, he told Galatasaray TV: 'I've met with the coach, but it’s not the first time we’ve met. He just remembered me from when Cote d’Ivoire national team played against Turkey.

Warm welcome: Drogba received a similar reception to Wesley Sneijder after he arrived in Turkey last month

Frenzy: Galatasaray fans hold up a flag in tribute for the striker after his arrival at Ataturk Airport

'I’m really happy to be here for me as it’s a new challenge, a new part of my life. I will do my best to be successful for the club.'

Drogba will link up with compatriot Emmanuel Eboue, who joined the Turkish champions from Arsenal in the summer of 2011.

Another former Chelsea striker who took the same path from Stamford Bridge to China has also returned to Europe. 

Nicolas Anelka joined Shenhua in January last year, but decided to transfer to Italian giants Juventus, making his move to the Serie A champions last month.

Hero's welcome: Wesley Sneijder was paraded in the city after his arrival at the same airport last month

Flare up: The fans were out in full force for the Dutch international's arrival from Inter Milan

Burkina Faso set to make history with Africa Cup of Nations final

Burkina Faso will make history on Sunday by appearing in the Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time.

They face Nigeria who, while not favourites for the tournament at the start are now hotly tipped to win, even though the teams drew 1-1 in the first group match.

You might not know a lot about Burkina Faso who are only participating in the tournament for the eighth time, so let us fill you in.

Ready for battle: Burkina Faso players train before their big day

 

Ten facts you might not know about Burkina Faso

1 The capital is Ouagadougou.

2 The country’s population stood at 16.9million in 2011.

3 The major languages spoken are French plus indigenous languages.

4 The national team are ranked 92nd in the world by FIFA.

5 The team are managed by Belgian Paul Put. He was banned from coaching in his native country for three years in relation to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal.

6 The country was known as Upper Volta until 1984.

7 The team is nicknamed Les Etalons, which translates to English as “The Stallions”, in reference to the legendary horse of Princess Yennenga.

8 Burkina Faso have never qualified for the World Cup.

9 The all-time leading goalscorer is Moumouni Dagano who has scored 31 goals in 60 games since making his debut in 1999. The 32-year-old currently plays in Qatar for Al Sailiya after spells in Belgium and France.

10 Itoile Filante de Ouagadougou and ASFA Yennenga are the most successful clubs in Burkinabe domestic competition, with 12 league titles each.

First time: The nation have never reached the Africa Cup of Nations final before

The star players

Charles Kabore (Olympique Marseille). Age: 25 Position: Midfielder

Utility player and leader of the Burkinabe side, who can be used at right back but has proven a strong midfield anchor with a healthy penchant for going forward. He has a long-term contract at Marseille, where he was a championship winner in 2010 but has been the subject of transfer speculation concerning English and Italian clubs.

Jonathan Pitroipa (Stade Rennes). Age: 26. Position: Midfielder

Pitroipa has emerged as one of the players of the tournament with his speedy play. He moved from Ouagadougou to Europe as a teenager to play in Germany, starting at SC Freiburg and then moving to Hamburg. Rennes paid 3 million euros (£2.5m) for him in 2011 and he has delivered 12 goals for them over the last 18 months.

Bakary Kone (Olympique Lyon). Age: 24. Position: Defender

Became a father during the tournament in South Africa, where his solid defensive play has ensured the concession of just two goals by Burkina Faso, only one of them in open play. Joined Lyon from Guingamp in 3.8 million euros transfer deal in August 2011. Came on as a substitute in last year’s French Cup final to pick up a winners’ medal.

Aristide Bance (FC Augsburg). Age 28. Position: Forward

Tall, gangly striker with distinctive short dreadlocks, dyed blond who was man of the match in Wednesday’s semi-final triumph over Ghana. Plays as the team’s lone forward. Returned to the Bundesliga this season with struggling Augsburg after two years in the Middle East. Previously played at Mainz.

That's mine: Bakary Kone slides in to tackle Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor

Route to the final

BURKINA FASO
Group C 

Jan 21 (Nelspruit) drew with Nigeria 1-1 (Alain Traore)
Jan 25 (Nelspruit) beat Ethiopia 4-0 (Alain Traore 2, Djakaridja Kone, Jonathan Pitroipa)
Jan 29 (Nelspruit) drew with Zambia 0-0

Quarter-final Feb 3 (Nelspruit) beat Togo 1-0 (Jonathan Pitroipa) after extra time

Semi-final Feb 6 (Nelspruit) beat Ghana 3-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw (Aristides Bance)

NIGERIA
Group C

Jan 21 (Nelspruit) drew with Burkina Faso 1-1 (Emmanuel Emenike)
Jan 25 (Nelspruit) drew with Zambia 1-1 (Emmanuel Emenike)
Jan 29 (Rustenburg) beat Ethiopia 2-0 (Victor Moses 2 pens)

Quarter-final Feb 3 (Rustenburg) beat Ivory Coast 2-1 (Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba)

Semi-final Feb 6 (Durban) beat Mali 4-1 (Elderson Echiejile, Brown Ideye, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa)

Spot on: Aristides Bance celebrates after scoring a penalty in the semi-final against Ghana

Pitroipa ban rescinded

Jonathan Pitroipa was suspended for the final until the Confederation of African Football overturned his ban.

He had been wrongly issued with a second yellow card for simulation in the semi-final clash with Ghana.

Pitroipa fancied his side's chances against the Super Eagles. He told PUMA: 'I think Nigeria is a very good team, I would say that they have a very good attack, they have great individual players who can make the difference anytime during the game. 

'We played against them for our first game and we saw that this is a great team. 

'It won’t be easy for us but after all I think we don’t have anything to lose, this is the final and we are going to play hard. 

'We have a chance to win this final and everything is possible, the best and most motivated team is going to win.'

No ref! Jonathan Pitroipa was wrongly booked and his suspension has been rescinded