Giant killers Ethiopia were drawn against Nigeria in the 2014 World Cup Africa zone playoffs. The two-legged showdowns are set for October and November and the winners qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next June and July. Ethiopia was the only side to upset the seeding in the mini-league previous stage, finishing two points ahead of top-ranked South Africa. Complete Sports Saturday's David Meshioye here presents the Walya Antelope ahead of the much anticipated tie.
WALYA ANTELOPE: BRIEF HISTORY
The Ethiopia national football team was formed in 1943. The team became affiliated to FIFA in 1953 and joined the Confederation of African Football in 1957. Ethiopia was one of three teams in the first ever Africa Cup of Nations. Ethiopia played its first game in 1947, a 5-0 win over French Somaliland (now Djibouti). The team finished second in the 1957 Cup of Nations and third in 1959. 1962 saw Ethiopia enter a first World Cup qualifying campaign. The team lost both first round legs to Israel. Ethiopia performed better in the same year's Cup of Nations, winning the competition on home soil.
>After a brief period of success, results began to decline for Ethiopia. The team faltered in the Cup of Nations as more teams entered, and have yet to regain their crown. The team entered World Cup qualifying from 1970 to 1986 without success.
Since the millennium, Ethiopia has begun to improve results in competitive games. The team won regional competitions in 2004 and 2005.Ranked 136th, the Ethiopia national football team deserves a higher place in world football. A good series of results can ensure progression.
ROAD TO BRAZIL 2014 SO FAR
Ethiopia ranked 37th in Africa and had to enter qualifying in the first round. The team faced the lower ranked Somalia. Ethiopia managed a 0-0 away and eliminated Somalia with a 5-0 win at home. In the second round group stage Ethiopia play Botswana, Central African Republic and South Africa. > Having it at the back of their mind that only the group winners progress to the third round of qualifying. Ethiopia gave their all in the qualifiers even with South Africa declared as more than clear favourites to win the group, with little to suggest any of the other teams could challenge them.
Ethiopia were ducked points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player, but Walya Antelope needed to beat Central African Republic on the final day, thus making South Africa's win over Botswana irrelevant.
SECOND ROUND
Botswana 1-2Ethiopia
Ethiopia1:0 Botswana
South Africa1:1 (0:1)Ethiopia
Ethiopia2:0 (1:0)CAR
QUALFIFYING ROUNDS
Somalia0:0Ethiopia
Ethiopia5:0 (1:0)Somalia
STAR PLAYERS
THE FIVE MUSKETEERS
Complete Sports' Saturday X-rays top five Ethiopian players that are capable of throwing spanners into Coach Stephen Keshi's tactical plans.
1. SALADIN SAID:
LIERSE FC BELGIUM
He is arguably the best player to come out of Ethiopia. His hunger for goals and predatory instincts an at the 2013 AFCON laid credence to this fact. Super Eagles rear guards may have to be at alert, if they really want to keep a clean sheet in both legs. This Lierse FC of Belgium striker will provide skipper and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama the much needed test, given Saladin's wealth of experience. Saladin Said debuted for the Ethiopian national team in 2006. Since then he has been Ethiopia's top scorer in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Apart from world famous Ethiopian athletes led by Gabre Haille Sellasie, the name Saladin Said is regarded as the most celebrated symbol in Ethiopian football.
The Wadi Degla FC forward has emerged as an instant household name and poster boy after his decisive goals in the two World Cup qualifiers. Said, 24, is Ethiopia's top scorer this year with three goals from six qualifiers, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Said is however happy with football progress in Ethiopia. He say's many football players in Ethiopia are currently enjoying improved financial status as compared to their predecessors in the 1090's. Despite Ethiopia falling narrowly to feature in subsequent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, Said says he does not regret any single day spent in the national team as he has so far achieved things he probably would have not outside the national team
He believes football structures have greatly improved in his country and players are on a positive path which is to raise the standard of the game.
The Egyptian based player with Wadi Degla FC was the leading scorer in the Ethiopian Premier League season from 200708, where he scored 21 goals in 17 games, and was awarded top scorer of the league.
In the season 2008-09, he also received the title for scoring 24 goals. He also received the title “Best Player of the League”.
In 2010 he was on trial with Serbian side Partizan but the transfer did not go through.
On 9 October 2011 he was transferred to Egyptian side Wadi Degla FC who paid 2,040,000 Ethiopian birr($240,000 US), the highest sum ever had been paid for an Ethiopian footballer.
Indeed, he will be remembered for saving Ethiopia from imminent defeats. During the Africa zone qualifying match for the World Cup 2014 between South Africa and Ethiopia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa , he scored for Ethiopia the consolation goal in the match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
2. FUAD IBRAHIM
(BIDVEST WITZ FC SOUTH AFRICA)
Plying his trade at the Finnish Ykkönen with AC Kajaani, Ibrahim spent his early career with the IMG Soccer Academy, FC Dallas and Toronto FC. At the time of being drafted in 2007, Ibrahim was the second-youngest ever player selected in the MLS Superdraft.
He graduated from Generation Adidas at the end of the 2010 MLS season. Ibrahim returned to professional soccer by signing with the Minnesota Stars FC of the North American Soccer League in April 2012. Represented the United States at youth international level, playing for the under-17 and under-20 teams.
He was called up Ethiopia's squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and scored his first international goal in the Antelopes' 2-1 win over Tanzania in the warm-up to the competition. He is one player coach Stephen Keshi must keep a close watch on.
3. ADDIS HINTSA
(Al-AHYL SHENDI FC)
2012 was been a golden year for Addis Hintsa. He has proved his quality by dominating the midfield in most of the matches in EPL. The former striker is a brilliant player, a physical beast with good technical quality, he is a tough tackler but at the same time he can stride forward and play the ball. Addis is relatively a complete central midfielder, he can tackle, defend, and is good in the air.
Addis has formed the fulcrum of the Ethiopia national football team since 2012. He was a key player in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. On the final match in 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Group C against Nigeria, his goalie Sisay Bancha was sent off and it was his responsibility to take the goalkeeper's role as all of their substitutions were already used. However, he missed by inches to save Victor Moses's penalty kick as they lost 0-2 to Nigeria both by Moses' penalty kicks. He will be looking forward to paying Nigeria back in their own coins come October
4. GETANEH KEBEDE
( BIDVEST WITS FC, SOUTH AFRICA)
He is another good player that has continued to play a huge role in the growth of Walya Antelope. Super Eagles duo of Mikel Obi and Onazi Ogenyi must be ready for war with this Ethiopian midfield general whose work rate is second to none.
Kebede made his debut in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Somalia in November 2011. In the second-leg against Somalia, he scored two goals in a 50 win, which sent Ethiopia to the second round of World Cup qualification. He is currently with South African club Bidvest Wits F.C. He has scored two goals so far and is expected to be one of the stars of the league.
5. ASRAT MEGERSA
(IRONI NIR RAMAT HA SHARON FC ETHIOPIA)
As a 25 year old midfielder, Asrat may not be considered a star by many, but many coaches know how valuable he is. Asrat has been tremendously valuable and a major reason for the results the team has bagged recently. In 2012, he played 7 out of the 11 national team games. He is one the midfielders tutored by Coach Sewnet Bishew to neutralise the likes of Mikel Obi and Onazi.
SEWNET BISHAW: ETHIOPIA
He achieved regional success with the Ethiopia national football team in 2005 when he won the CECAFA Cup during his first spell as manager.
In October 2011, Sewnet was re-appointed to the position after the resignation of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet. A year later, he helped Ethiopia qualify for their first Africa Cup of Nations tournament since 1982. Sewnet is a Sports and Physical Education Teacher by training. He has taught for many years in various schools in Addis Ababa including the popular Medhanealem Senior Secondary School.
RANKING: 93 IN THE WORLD/ 37 IN AFRICA
WORLD CUP RECORD
1930 to 1954 Did not enter
1958 Entry not accepted by FIFA
1962 Did not qualify
1966 Did not enter
1970 to 1986 Did not qualify
1990 Did not enter
1994 Did not qualify
1998 Did not enter
2002 to 2006 Did not qualify
2010 Disqualified
2014 In qualification process
ACHIEVEMENTS
Africa Cup of Nations :
1 time Champion (1962)
1 time runner-up (1957)
1 time third place finish (1959)
2 time fourth place finish (1963, 1968)
CECAFA Cup :
4 times Champion (1987, 2001, 2004, 2005)
1 time third place finish (2000)
2 time fourth place finish (1995, 2010)
PREPARATIONS FOR BRAZIL 2014
HEAD TO HEAD
Nigeria has played against Ethiopia 11 times, Won 6, Drawn 5 and have never lost to Walya Antelope.
THE PITCH
The Old Addis-Ababa national stadium is bumpy and God save Nigeria if it rains. Super Eagles should be ready to play on that bumpy pitch as Coach Samson Siasia led Eagles played in 2011, the matched ended 2-2 in Addis-Ababa. Although plans are underway by the Ethiopian government to build a world class stadium in Addis-Ababa, the Eagles will have to settle for the bumpy Addis-Ababa pitch.
THE FANS: GOOD TRAVELLERS
Ethiopians are returning to the local football stadia after years of apathy that saw them switch to European and English Football League for consolation.
Ethiopian fans are special! You've never seen such football loving fans! Ethiopian tribes are unwittingly supporting the Gunners, the Blues and the Red Devils with their choice of bright attire, but they come out en-masse whenever the national team is playing. Indeed, Nigerian fans would need to get to the stadium early to get a seat. So Nigerians should expect them in their multitudes during the second leg.
The joy of the Ethiopian football fans after their team's victory over South Africa was peerless. It took the whole nation by surprise.
Even on a sunny afternoon, tens of thousands of young football fans took to the main streets of Addis Ababa to demonstrate their jubilation when the Ethiopian national football team, the Walya Antelopes, beat their rivals, South Africa, the Bafana Bafana, by two goals to one, in a crucial World Cup qualifying match.
FACTS
Ethiopia Nickname(s) Walia Antelopes/Black Lions
Association Ethiopian Football Federation
Sub-confederation CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Head coach Sewnet Bishaw
Captain Degu Debebe
Most caps Degu Debebe (49)
Top scorer Mengistu Worku
Home stadium Addis Ababa Stadium
FIFA code ETH
FIFA ranking 93 Increase 9
FACT: Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi scored Nigeria’s first ever international goal against Ethiopia at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan. He scored two of the three goals in that encounter which ended 3-1.
First leg: Oct 11-15, second leg: Nov 15-19
Note: Winners qualify for 2014 World Cup in Brazil
COUNTRY FOCUS
Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country and it's second largest in terms of population. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini's Italy, it has never been colonised.
It has a unique cultural heritage, being the home of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - one of the oldest Christian churches - and a monarchy that ended only in the coup of 1974.
It served as a symbol of African independence throughout the colonial period, and was a foundation member of the United Nations and the African base for many international organisations.
Ethiopia - Orthodox Church: About two thirds of Ethiopia's people are Christian and most of those follow the Orthodox faith.
Ethiopia has suffered periodic droughts and famines that led to a long civil conflict in the 20th Century and a border war with Eritrea.
GETTING THERE
Every Nigerian needs a visa to get to Ethiopia .
Ethiopian airlines has a direct flight to Addis Ababa.
WALYA ANTELOPE: BRIEF HISTORY
The Ethiopia national football team was formed in 1943. The team became affiliated to FIFA in 1953 and joined the Confederation of African Football in 1957. Ethiopia was one of three teams in the first ever Africa Cup of Nations. Ethiopia played its first game in 1947, a 5-0 win over French Somaliland (now Djibouti). The team finished second in the 1957 Cup of Nations and third in 1959. 1962 saw Ethiopia enter a first World Cup qualifying campaign. The team lost both first round legs to Israel. Ethiopia performed better in the same year's Cup of Nations, winning the competition on home soil.
>After a brief period of success, results began to decline for Ethiopia. The team faltered in the Cup of Nations as more teams entered, and have yet to regain their crown. The team entered World Cup qualifying from 1970 to 1986 without success.
Since the millennium, Ethiopia has begun to improve results in competitive games. The team won regional competitions in 2004 and 2005.Ranked 136th, the Ethiopia national football team deserves a higher place in world football. A good series of results can ensure progression.
ROAD TO BRAZIL 2014 SO FAR
Ethiopia ranked 37th in Africa and had to enter qualifying in the first round. The team faced the lower ranked Somalia. Ethiopia managed a 0-0 away and eliminated Somalia with a 5-0 win at home. In the second round group stage Ethiopia play Botswana, Central African Republic and South Africa. > Having it at the back of their mind that only the group winners progress to the third round of qualifying. Ethiopia gave their all in the qualifiers even with South Africa declared as more than clear favourites to win the group, with little to suggest any of the other teams could challenge them.
Ethiopia were ducked points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player, but Walya Antelope needed to beat Central African Republic on the final day, thus making South Africa's win over Botswana irrelevant.
SECOND ROUND
Botswana 1-2Ethiopia
Ethiopia1:0 Botswana
South Africa1:1 (0:1)Ethiopia
Ethiopia2:0 (1:0)CAR
QUALFIFYING ROUNDS
Somalia0:0Ethiopia
Ethiopia5:0 (1:0)Somalia
STAR PLAYERS
THE FIVE MUSKETEERS
Complete Sports' Saturday X-rays top five Ethiopian players that are capable of throwing spanners into Coach Stephen Keshi's tactical plans.
1. SALADIN SAID:
LIERSE FC BELGIUM
He is arguably the best player to come out of Ethiopia. His hunger for goals and predatory instincts an at the 2013 AFCON laid credence to this fact. Super Eagles rear guards may have to be at alert, if they really want to keep a clean sheet in both legs. This Lierse FC of Belgium striker will provide skipper and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama the much needed test, given Saladin's wealth of experience. Saladin Said debuted for the Ethiopian national team in 2006. Since then he has been Ethiopia's top scorer in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Apart from world famous Ethiopian athletes led by Gabre Haille Sellasie, the name Saladin Said is regarded as the most celebrated symbol in Ethiopian football.
The Wadi Degla FC forward has emerged as an instant household name and poster boy after his decisive goals in the two World Cup qualifiers. Said, 24, is Ethiopia's top scorer this year with three goals from six qualifiers, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Said is however happy with football progress in Ethiopia. He say's many football players in Ethiopia are currently enjoying improved financial status as compared to their predecessors in the 1090's. Despite Ethiopia falling narrowly to feature in subsequent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, Said says he does not regret any single day spent in the national team as he has so far achieved things he probably would have not outside the national team
He believes football structures have greatly improved in his country and players are on a positive path which is to raise the standard of the game.
The Egyptian based player with Wadi Degla FC was the leading scorer in the Ethiopian Premier League season from 200708, where he scored 21 goals in 17 games, and was awarded top scorer of the league.
In the season 2008-09, he also received the title for scoring 24 goals. He also received the title “Best Player of the League”.
In 2010 he was on trial with Serbian side Partizan but the transfer did not go through.
On 9 October 2011 he was transferred to Egyptian side Wadi Degla FC who paid 2,040,000 Ethiopian birr($240,000 US), the highest sum ever had been paid for an Ethiopian footballer.
Indeed, he will be remembered for saving Ethiopia from imminent defeats. During the Africa zone qualifying match for the World Cup 2014 between South Africa and Ethiopia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa , he scored for Ethiopia the consolation goal in the match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
2. FUAD IBRAHIM
(BIDVEST WITZ FC SOUTH AFRICA)
Plying his trade at the Finnish Ykkönen with AC Kajaani, Ibrahim spent his early career with the IMG Soccer Academy, FC Dallas and Toronto FC. At the time of being drafted in 2007, Ibrahim was the second-youngest ever player selected in the MLS Superdraft.
He graduated from Generation Adidas at the end of the 2010 MLS season. Ibrahim returned to professional soccer by signing with the Minnesota Stars FC of the North American Soccer League in April 2012. Represented the United States at youth international level, playing for the under-17 and under-20 teams.
He was called up Ethiopia's squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and scored his first international goal in the Antelopes' 2-1 win over Tanzania in the warm-up to the competition. He is one player coach Stephen Keshi must keep a close watch on.
3. ADDIS HINTSA
(Al-AHYL SHENDI FC)
2012 was been a golden year for Addis Hintsa. He has proved his quality by dominating the midfield in most of the matches in EPL. The former striker is a brilliant player, a physical beast with good technical quality, he is a tough tackler but at the same time he can stride forward and play the ball. Addis is relatively a complete central midfielder, he can tackle, defend, and is good in the air.
Addis has formed the fulcrum of the Ethiopia national football team since 2012. He was a key player in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. On the final match in 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Group C against Nigeria, his goalie Sisay Bancha was sent off and it was his responsibility to take the goalkeeper's role as all of their substitutions were already used. However, he missed by inches to save Victor Moses's penalty kick as they lost 0-2 to Nigeria both by Moses' penalty kicks. He will be looking forward to paying Nigeria back in their own coins come October
4. GETANEH KEBEDE
( BIDVEST WITS FC, SOUTH AFRICA)
He is another good player that has continued to play a huge role in the growth of Walya Antelope. Super Eagles duo of Mikel Obi and Onazi Ogenyi must be ready for war with this Ethiopian midfield general whose work rate is second to none.
Kebede made his debut in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Somalia in November 2011. In the second-leg against Somalia, he scored two goals in a 50 win, which sent Ethiopia to the second round of World Cup qualification. He is currently with South African club Bidvest Wits F.C. He has scored two goals so far and is expected to be one of the stars of the league.
5. ASRAT MEGERSA
(IRONI NIR RAMAT HA SHARON FC ETHIOPIA)
As a 25 year old midfielder, Asrat may not be considered a star by many, but many coaches know how valuable he is. Asrat has been tremendously valuable and a major reason for the results the team has bagged recently. In 2012, he played 7 out of the 11 national team games. He is one the midfielders tutored by Coach Sewnet Bishew to neutralise the likes of Mikel Obi and Onazi.
SEWNET BISHAW: ETHIOPIA
He achieved regional success with the Ethiopia national football team in 2005 when he won the CECAFA Cup during his first spell as manager.
In October 2011, Sewnet was re-appointed to the position after the resignation of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet. A year later, he helped Ethiopia qualify for their first Africa Cup of Nations tournament since 1982. Sewnet is a Sports and Physical Education Teacher by training. He has taught for many years in various schools in Addis Ababa including the popular Medhanealem Senior Secondary School.
RANKING: 93 IN THE WORLD/ 37 IN AFRICA
WORLD CUP RECORD
1930 to 1954 Did not enter
1958 Entry not accepted by FIFA
1962 Did not qualify
1966 Did not enter
1970 to 1986 Did not qualify
1990 Did not enter
1994 Did not qualify
1998 Did not enter
2002 to 2006 Did not qualify
2010 Disqualified
2014 In qualification process
ACHIEVEMENTS
Africa Cup of Nations :
1 time Champion (1962)
1 time runner-up (1957)
1 time third place finish (1959)
2 time fourth place finish (1963, 1968)
CECAFA Cup :
4 times Champion (1987, 2001, 2004, 2005)
1 time third place finish (2000)
2 time fourth place finish (1995, 2010)
PREPARATIONS FOR BRAZIL 2014
HEAD TO HEAD
Nigeria has played against Ethiopia 11 times, Won 6, Drawn 5 and have never lost to Walya Antelope.
THE PITCH
The Old Addis-Ababa national stadium is bumpy and God save Nigeria if it rains. Super Eagles should be ready to play on that bumpy pitch as Coach Samson Siasia led Eagles played in 2011, the matched ended 2-2 in Addis-Ababa. Although plans are underway by the Ethiopian government to build a world class stadium in Addis-Ababa, the Eagles will have to settle for the bumpy Addis-Ababa pitch.
THE FANS: GOOD TRAVELLERS
Ethiopians are returning to the local football stadia after years of apathy that saw them switch to European and English Football League for consolation.
Ethiopian fans are special! You've never seen such football loving fans! Ethiopian tribes are unwittingly supporting the Gunners, the Blues and the Red Devils with their choice of bright attire, but they come out en-masse whenever the national team is playing. Indeed, Nigerian fans would need to get to the stadium early to get a seat. So Nigerians should expect them in their multitudes during the second leg.
The joy of the Ethiopian football fans after their team's victory over South Africa was peerless. It took the whole nation by surprise.
Even on a sunny afternoon, tens of thousands of young football fans took to the main streets of Addis Ababa to demonstrate their jubilation when the Ethiopian national football team, the Walya Antelopes, beat their rivals, South Africa, the Bafana Bafana, by two goals to one, in a crucial World Cup qualifying match.
FACTS
Ethiopia Nickname(s) Walia Antelopes/Black Lions
Association Ethiopian Football Federation
Sub-confederation CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Head coach Sewnet Bishaw
Captain Degu Debebe
Most caps Degu Debebe (49)
Top scorer Mengistu Worku
Home stadium Addis Ababa Stadium
FIFA code ETH
FIFA ranking 93 Increase 9
FACT: Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi scored Nigeria’s first ever international goal against Ethiopia at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan. He scored two of the three goals in that encounter which ended 3-1.
First leg: Oct 11-15, second leg: Nov 15-19
Note: Winners qualify for 2014 World Cup in Brazil
COUNTRY FOCUS
Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country and it's second largest in terms of population. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini's Italy, it has never been colonised.
It has a unique cultural heritage, being the home of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - one of the oldest Christian churches - and a monarchy that ended only in the coup of 1974.
It served as a symbol of African independence throughout the colonial period, and was a foundation member of the United Nations and the African base for many international organisations.
Ethiopia - Orthodox Church: About two thirds of Ethiopia's people are Christian and most of those follow the Orthodox faith.
Ethiopia has suffered periodic droughts and famines that led to a long civil conflict in the 20th Century and a border war with Eritrea.
GETTING THERE
Every Nigerian needs a visa to get to Ethiopia .
Ethiopian airlines has a direct flight to Addis Ababa.
No comments:
Post a Comment