Ethiopia beat Tanzania 2-1
By Samuel Yeshiwas
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian national team defeated its Tanzanian counterpart 2-1 here in Addis Ababa in their final friendly match before the African Cup of Nations. The Walya Antelopes dominated the game and created many chances but as always they lacked the finishing touch.
Ethiopia started the game with only two players that were in the starting line-up in their match against Tunisia earlier this week, namely defenders Aynalem Hailu and Biadgelegn Elias, as Coach Sewnet Bishaw was using this friendly to test his reserves.
The first yellow card came just 2 minutes in to the game when forward Fuad Ibrahim claimed he was fouled when trying to convert a Behailu Assefa cross. The referee, however, was differed in his opinion and booked him for diving.
Sewnet’s attempt to utilize the wings through Yusuf Saleh and Behailu Assefa was fruitful as the two wingers were able to make runs break in to the Tanzanian defence on numerous occasions. Behailu Assefa’s low cross from the right found Fuad Ibrahim and the US-based striker made no mistakes in his finishing to give his side the lead; 1-0.
The rest of the first half was dominated by Ethiopia as Sweden-based Yusuf Saleh made two shots on goal, but couldn’t get the ball past the Tanzanian keeper.
Read more on Ethiopian National Football Team Blog
