CECAFA Cup: Ethiopia defeats Zambia 2-1 to advance to the semi-final

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The Ethiopian national football team has advanced to the semi-final of the CECAFA Challenge Cup tournament after defeating Zambia 2-1 here today.

Ethiopia will now face the Ivory Coast who beat Malawi 1-0 today in the semi-final on Thursday.

Ethiopia dominated the first-half and led 2-0 at half-time thanks to an own goal by a Zambian player who deflected a header in his own net and a goal from midfield star player Oumed Oukri of Defence Force. Zambia’s goal in the second half was a clear goalkeeping mistake on the part of Jemal, an area that needs a little bit of work.

This is indeed a great result for our boys, who were not given a chance by most football critics who felt that Zambia, who dominated their group matches, would be too strong for us. But our boys proved every football critic wrong.

Ethiopia’s Line-up: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Jemal Tassew (Dedebit)

Defenders: Alula Girma and Samson Mulugetta (St. George), Mengistu Assefa (Dedebit) and Abebaw Butako (Defence Force)

Midfielders: Daniel Deribe (Dedebit), Tesfaye Alebachew (Sebeta City) and Yared Zinabu (St. George)

Forwards: Oumed Oukri (Defence Force), Adane Girma (st. George) and Shimeles Bekele (Hawassa City)

Ethiopia’s Goal scorers in the CECAFA Cup Tournament so far:

3 Goals: Shimelis Bekele (Hawassa City)

2 Goals: Oumed Oukri (Defence Force)

1 Goal: Zambia Own Goal

The quarter-final competition will continue tomorrow with the following matches:

Uganda v Zanzibar and Tanzania v Rwanda

Great Job Boys! and equally Great Work Coach Iffy Onuora and Congratulation!