Nigerian press conferences are intriguing affairs. Not so much because of the players and coaches behind the microphone, who are generally consistent in their demeanour, but because you never quite know what sort of characters will be asking the questions.
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During this tournament, there have been those who have gone straight for the jugular and asked Stephen Keshi if he was under pressure after draws with Burkina Faso and Zambia.
And there was another who stood up and delivered a soliloquy on how the coach must not allow negative journalists (i.e. half of the room) to get the Super Eagles down. To which the obvious cry from everyone else was, 'Queeestion, please!'
In such an environment it is rare to gain thoughtful insights from the people that matter, but sometimes the manner in which an answer is delivered is enough to give you a feeling of what is happening inside the camp.
There was just such a moment at Nigeria's first press conference, which came prior to their first group game against Burkina Faso. The question was directed at captain Joseph Yobo, and was essentially asking when we could expect Nigeria's latest blowout over bonuses - never mind if.
"To be candid with you this is the best squad I have been in so far," he replied.
"Of course we are human beings and mistakes are made. The coach has managed us well and the players realise it's not all about ourselves, it's for the country."
An obvious reply, but the way it was delivered made it instantly believable. It is therefore no surprise to see Nigeria in the final, particularly after Victor Moses returned to provide the injection of creativity that they lacked in their first game.
Keshi comes across as an arrogant so-and-so, but he appears to have found the right balance of players in his squad to create an environment for success.
Certainly one can see why he left out the likes of Peter Odemwingie in the wake of the West Brom man's behaviour in the January transfer window.
Imagine having that saga unfolding in the middle of your Africa Cup of Nations camp.
Yet there's no doubt that we have two deserved finalists. That might have seemed a far-fetched notion after Nigeria and Burkina Faso drew 1-1 in their opener, which was a tepid affair characterised by a lack of Nigerian ambition, a questionable red card and a marvellous late equaliser.
But both sides have grown as the tournament has gone on, and equally importantly, have operated with the sort of spirit that creates a good advertisement for African football.
It was impossible not to be swayed by the joy with which Jonathan Pitroipa played Wednesday's game, particularly when you compared it to the noxious sense of entitlement that seems to have possessed Asamoah Gyan since his last tournament in South Africa.
With that in mind, it was galling to see Pitroipa fall foul of the biggest blight on this tournament - the refereeing.
With some of the decisions that we've seen, it's little wonder that many fans have asked whether some officials have had other motives, so to speak.
CAF need to take charge of the situation, and they could start by rescinding Pitroipa's ludicrous card.
The final of Africa's showpiece deserves a game in which the continent's best players are not missing because of the embarrassing standards of too many of its referees.
Miles Maponyera
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