Wolaita Dicha Hoping to Break on Zimamoto in Hawassa

Ethiopian debutants, Wolaitta Dicha have their eyes fixed on a place at the next round as they play host to Zimamoto of Zanzibar on Wednesday in Hawassa, about 275 kilometeres from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Both sides played out a one all draw last week in Zanzibar City as Dicha took a slight advantage over their opponents ahead of the second leg and head coach Zenebe Fisseha believes his charges have what it takes to cruise to the first round.

“In the first leg, we saw what Zimamoto has and we were lucky enough to get a profound perspective of their style of play. Now we will be playing at home in front of our crowds. We will be on lookout for a win plus we will deploy a tactic that can hinder Zimamoto from utilizing their system. We are preparing to score goals using our own style of play. We have prepared in a good way and I hope we will beat Zimamoto,” Fisseha said.

Ever since Fisseha took over the helm of the ‘Bees of Tona’, as Dicha are nicknamed, the club has gone on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. With the away draw against Zimamoto in their maiden continental outing the Sodo-based club is in pole position to qualify for the next round on their first attempt.

“Zimamoto scored their goal in the first leg with a cross from the flank, and they are good at it. We predict they will apply the same technique when they play on Wednesday. We are preparing the players to be cautious and focused on the game not to concede a crucial away goal,” Fisseha added.

Zimamoto’s Khamis Ali saw his opener cancelled out by Togolese import Arafat Djako in the first leg. For either side, it will be a first time to go past the prelims. Also, no Ethiopian club has yet to be knocked out by a Zanzibar outfit.

The winner of the tie will face five-time African champions and Egyptian giants, Zamalek at the 1/16th round.

Fixtures

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Masters Security (Malawi) vs Petro Atletico (Angola) (0-5)

Cape Town City (South Africa) vs Young Buffaloes (Swaziland) (1-0)

Hafia (Guinea) vs Energie (Benin) (0-1)

Anse Reunion (Seychelles) vs APR (Rwanda) (0-4)

Port Louis (Mauritius) vs Ngazi Sport (Comoros) (1-1)

Deportivo Niefang (Equatorial Guinea) vs New Stars (Cameroon) (1-2)

CS la Mancha (Congo) vs Tanda (Cote d’Ivoire) (0-0)

CR Belouizdad (Algeria) vs Onze Createurs (Mali) (1-1)

Green Buffaloes (Zambia) vs El Masry (Egypt) (0-4)

Gendarmerie (Djibouti) vs Simba (Tanzania) (0-4)

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Jwaneng (Botswana) vs Costa do Sol (Mozambique) (0-1)

FOSA Juniors (Madagascar) vs AFC Leopards (Kenya) (1-1)

Maniema Union (DR Congo) vs Mangasport (Gabon) (1-0)

Etoile Filante (Burkina Faso) vs Olympic Star (Burundi) (0-0)

Hawks (Gambia) vs Akwa United (Nigeria) (2-1)

Sahel (Niger) vs Al Ittihad (Libya) (0-1)

CARA (Congo) vs Asante Kotoko (Ghana) (0-1)

Mbour Petite Cote (Senegal) vs RS Berkane (Morocco) (1-2)

FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) vs Africa Sports (Cote d’Ivoire) (1-1)

Wolaitta Dicha (Ethiopia) vs Zimamoto (Zanzibar) (1-1)

Source: CAFonline.com