Ethiopia’s ‘Walyas’ look to make up for lost time

* New beginning for Ethiopia in African Nations Cup

* Winners in 1962, last qualified for finals in 1982

* Team beat Sudan to clinch spot in 2013 tournament

ADDIS ABABA, Jan 3 (Reuters) – When Mengistu Worku struck deep into extra time against Egypt to clinch Ethiopia’s first African Cup of Nations title in 1962, the home victory appeared to herald an era of dominance for the pioneering Horn of Africa country.

While the likes of Ghana and Nigeria fell early in the qualifying rounds, Ethiopia wowed spectators with their flair and fluid passing game, earning the moniker “the Brazil of Africa”.

They also reached the tournament’s semi-finals in 1963 and 1968 but the euphoria did not last long.

The promise ebbed as a series of lacklustre appearances in later tournaments saw them hobbling to first round exits, while they also inexplicably withdrew from qualifiers on a number of occasions.

Political turmoil in the 1970s and 1980s cast Ethiopia into the footballing wilderness, and some of the country’s best players kept hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons by absconding while on international duty.

Fast-forward to 2013 and Ethiopia – nicknamed the Walya Antelopes after an endemic and endangered ibex – are now looking to re-establish themselves in the continental fold after booking a place at this month’s African Cup of Nations, their first since 1982 and five decades since they lifted the cup. Read more