2014 FIFA World Cup: Walias to face Zebras on Sunday

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian national team (Walias) will face the Zebras of Botswana in a Group A match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier here on Sunday.

Ethiopia leads the group with 4 points after two matches, followed by Central African Republic (3 pts), who are taking on South Africa in Cape Town tomorrow.

After a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Rustenburg, the Walias defeated Central African Republic 2-0 here in Addis. It was Saladin who scored all 3 goals for Ethiopia.

The match’s referee is Redouane Jiyed of Morocco, who will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Mohamed Lahmidi and Mouhib Filali. The fourth referee is Hicham Tiazi, also of Morocco.

Coach Sewnet Bishaw has called in 23 players, and once again St. George (8) and Dedebit (8) dominated the roster’s list.

Sadly Hawassa City (22pts), which currently sits in second place in the Ethiopian Premier League behind current leader Dedebit (24 pts), doesn’t have a single player named for the national team.

Hawassa led the premier league for the first 10 weeks of the competition until they lost 2-1 at home to Dedebit in Week 11.

Walias:

Goalkeepers (3): Jemal Tassew (Coffee), Samson Assefa (Harar Beer) and Dereje Alemu (Sebeta Kenema).

Defenders (8): Degu Debebe (St. George), Abebaw Butako (St. George), Alula Girma (St. George), Biadgelegn Elias (Saint-George), Aynalem Hailu (Dedebit), Berhanu Bogale (Dedebit), Siyoum Tesfaye (Dedebit) and Aklilu Ayenew (Dedebit).

Midfielders (8):Minyahil Teshome (Dedebit), Addis Hintsa (Dedebit), Behailu Assefa (Dedebit), Yonatan Berhane (St. George), Shimeles Bekele (St. George), Yared Zinabu (St. George), Fitsum Teferi (CBE) and Asrat Megersa ( EEPCO),

Forwards (4) : Adane Girma (St. George), Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit), Saladin Said (Lierse -Belgium) and Efrem Ashamo (Coffee). 

ETV will show the match live