NELSPRUIT, South Africa, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso reached the African Nations Cup final for the first time with a dramatic 3-2 penalty shoutout win over Ghana on Wednesday after their semi-final ended 1-1 following extra time. They clinched the victory after Emmanuel Agyemang Badu missed Ghana's third penalty after a weak shimmy and shot. The Burkinabe will be without the influential Jonathan Pitroipa in Sunday's final against Nigeria after he was sent off three minutes from the end of extra time for a second yellow card.

Burkina Faso qualified for the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Sunday by pipping Togo 1-0 after extra time. The Stallions face four-time champions Ghana here on Wednesday while two-time title-holders Nigeria tackle Mali in the other semi-final in Durban. Burkina Faso broke the deadlock through the lively Jonathan Pitroipa on 105 minutes when he nodded a corner beyond surprised goalkeeper Kossi Agassa and into the net.

(Fixes headline) By Mark Gleeson NELSPRUIT, South Africa, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso struck a double blow at the African Nations Cup on Tuesday by securing a surprise top place in Group C and eliminating holders Zambia from the competition after a goalless draw in Nelspruit. A solid, defensive performance held at bay all that an increasingly desperate Zambia could throw at them and, combined with Nigeria's win over Ethiopia in Rustenburg, means Zambia will play no further part in the tournament.