Ethiopia look to complete CAR task
Ethiopia face Central Africa Republic at the Stade Massamba Debut on Saturday in a must win clash for them if they are to make the final round of the World Cup qualifiers.
The Walia Antelopes were docked three by Fifa after they fielded an ineligible player in Minyahil Teshome against Botswana.
The Ethiopian coach Sewnet Bishaw is buoyant calling the tie “an easy game” while his counterpart Herve Lougounddji hopes to cause a major upset that would benefit either South Africa or Botswana all who will both hope for an Ethiopian defeats at the hand of the Les Fauves.
Ethiopia lead Group A with ten points followed closely by South Africa at eight then Botswana who have seven. Bottom placed CAR are at on three.
For the CAR team, this will be an opportunity to get a reprieve having gone through tough times following the political upheaval back at home that completely disjointed their plans in the qualifiers as they have had to play their home matches away from home.
Ethiopia have been in their best form in the group both at home and away and the match on Saturday will be a litmus test to gauge their resilience in a pressure cooker situation where everybody back at home expects nothing short of a win to qualify for the play offs.
Just a few years ago Ethiopia had been banned by Fifa but they have since then reorganized themselves and they made headlines when they qualified for the 2013 African cup of Nations hosted by South Africa.
They boast of a talented squad comprising of players based in Asia, Europe and Africa led by the lethal striking duo of Salhadin Said and Getaneh Kebede who turn out for Lierse in Belgium and Bidvest Wits in South Africa respectively.
CAR will be look up to influential midfielder Foxi Kethevoama of Kazakh side Astana, Fernander Kessai of Le Mans and Kelly Younga of Wimbledon.
Source: Supersport.com
