CAF president hails the achievement of Burkina Faso as striker Jonathan Pitroipa is confirmed for Nations Cup final.

The presence of outsiders Burkina Faso in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final is a positive sign for football on the continent, CAF president Issa Hayatou says.

The Burkinabe have made it to Soccer City at the expense of traditional African powers like Ghana and Ivory Coast.
"The fact that Burkina made the final is a positive sign for the development of football in Africa," Hayatou told reporters here on Friday.

"There aren't small or big teams, everyone is on a level footing."

Hayatou said he was satisfied with attendances at the 2013 Nations Cup despite many games mustering barely a couple of thousand fans.

"South Africa has stadiums with big capacities. When there are 45,000 seats you have the feeling it's empty. South Africa were knocked out, but people still went to matches."

The competition has been marked by some controversial refereeing decisions, not least the officiating of Burkina Faso's semi-final win over Ghana.

But Hayatou said: "Overall we are satisfied with the African refereeing.