18th September, 2013
Head Coach of Wylas of Ethiopia, Sewnet Bishaw, has warned Africa champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria, to expect tough battle when both teams clash in the playoffs for Brazil 2014 World Cup.
The first leg of the playoffs will be played between 11 and 15 October, while the second leg matches hold between 15 through 19 November.
The Ethiopians are expecting the Nigerian team at home in Addis Ababa for the first leg, with the second holding in Nigeria in November.
Bishaw admitted that though his team suffered a 0-2 defeat in the hands of the Eagles at the last Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa, he believes that the present Ethiopian team have grown up to be a bigger team with good experience to give the Eagles a tough battle for the World Cup ticket when both teams clash in the first leg.
“It is a good draw for both teams and we will be looking forward to playing Nigeria again after meeting them at the AFCON 2013. At that time we were just happy to get back into top level competition and were inexperienced, but now we have had many more matches at this level so we will give it a good go against Nigeria”
Bishaw believed that having qualified for the last stage of World Cup qualifier, his team have equal chance to book a place in the next year’s 2104 Munidal.
Ethiopia have seen a resurgence in their football since returning to the Africa Cup of Nations this year after a 31 year absence. The Antelopes trumped South Africa on their way to the final qualifying stage where they will now meet the Super Eagles for the second time this year after losing 2-0 in the last group game of the AFCON in January.