Afcon 2021: Group A preview – Ethiopia

The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations gets under way in Cameroon on 9 January, having been delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic. Group A includes hosts Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Cape Verde.

Team Ethiopia

After nine years away, Afcon 2021 is a great opportunity for coach Wubetu Abate and his squad to show what Ethiopia, one of the founding members of Caf, has to offer.

Abate is the mastermind behind Ethiopia’s eye-catching one-touch football. Midfield maestro Shemelis Bekele and captain Getaneh Kebede lead the squad while young star Abubeker Nasir, the top scorer in the 2020-21 Ethiopian Premier League, is one to keep an eye on.

Wubetu was consistent in his style of play in the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers with a 4-3-3-line up and Nasir, combined with Kebede and attacking midfielder Dawa Hotessa, might pose a danger for opponents.

Advancing to the round of 16 would be a big leap for Ethiopia, a team still shaping itself under Wubetu, but it will delight millions of Ethiopians in and outside of the country to watch their team play in the continent’s flagship competition.

Sunday 9 January: Cameroon v Burkina Faso, Ethiopia v Cape Verde

Thursday 13 January: Cameroon v Ethiopia, Cape Verde v Burkina Faso

Monday 17 January: Burkina Faso v Ethiopia, Cape Verde v Cameroon

Read more: BBC Sport Africa