ETHIOPIA: ATHLETICS - Ethiopia target upset against Super Eagles in World Cup qualifier.

Record ID: 236205

  • Title: ETHIOPIA: ATHLETICS - Ethiopia target upset against Super Eagles in World Cup qualifier.
  • Date: 11th October 2013
  • Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (OCTOBER 09, 2013) (REUTERS) ETHIOPIA NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS PRACTICING PLAYERS STRIKER, OMUD OKRI VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TALKING VARIOUS OF COACH SEWNET BISHAW TALKING TO PLAYERS STRIKER, SALADIN SAYID AND ADDIS HINTSA (SOUNDBITE) (English) SEWNET BISHAW, ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH SAYING: "We know that Nigerians are very big. They have high quality players who are playing abroad in Europe, with all the facilities. Even though they have that quality, we don't give them an upper hand. This is football - it is a game of 11 against 11 so whatsoever they did in their country, well things will be changed here."
  • Embargoed: 26th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADYXH2Y8Y0B0N4WHQAGNFU4ZKG
  • Story Text: Ethiopia is training hard ahead of a World Cup qualifier against reigning Africa champions Nigeria set for this weekend, with the aim of cementing their place as an emerging football force on the continent.
    The Walya Antelopes made their return to the Africa Cup of Nations in January this year for the first time after a 31-year absence.
    Named after an antelope endemic to the country - they are now just two matches away from clinching what would be East Africa's first-ever spot at a World Cup finals.
    The two sides have met seven times with Nigeria losing only once.
    Ethiopia is ranked 93 compared to the Super Eagles 36 position in World FIFA rankings.
    Coach Sewnet Bishaw says his players are undaunted by the prospect of facing their more illustrious opponents.
    "We know that Nigerians are very big. They have high quality players who are playing abroad in Europe, with all the facilities. Even though they have that quality, we don't give them an upper hand. This is football - it is a game of 11 against 11 so whatsoever they did in their country, well things will be changed here," he said on the sidelines of a training session in Addis Ababa.
    Nigeria play away against Ethiopia on Sunday (October 13) in the first leg of their tie, with home advantage to follow in November.
    Led by Stephen Keshi, the same coach that led a youthful team to an AFCON triumph early this year, Nigeria is hoping to secure their place at the World Cup for the 5th time.
    Keshi, who described Ethiopia as having an unpredictable style in football said Sunday's match will not be an easy encounter.
    Ethiopia are looking to put to bed their reputation - African giants turned perpetual strugglers who have slumped into the footballing wilderness since winning the African Nations Cup in 1962.
    Bishaw says his players are buoyed by their exploits at January's AFCON tournament - when the team's 2-0 home victory over Sudan in the final qualifier earned the Walyas a place in South Africa.
    He said Ethiopia would offer a surprise yet again.
    "If you remember during AFCON, when the draw was made, the Sudanese were dancing in their home-town and when we met them they didn't beat us. We beat them here at home 2-0 and we qualified for the African Cup of Nations. The same thing will be repeated. I assure you," he said.
    It is the first time since 1989 that playoffs have been used to determine Africa's World Cup representatives.
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