31st December, 2013
After seeing his team’s dream of playing at 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil crashing courtesy of two legged defeats in the qualifying playoffs in October and November, Coach Sewnet Bishaw of Ethiopia will have his hands full again when his Walya Ibex face Nigeria in an international friendly to prepare both countries for January’s African Nations Championship, CHAN, in South Africa.
Reports early today say Ethiopia Football Federation has requested an international friendly with the home-based Super Eagles, as they also look forward to concluding their preparations for CHAN.
Its counterpart, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has already responded in the affirmative, and according to Brila FM radio in Lagos, Ethiopia are therefore expected to fly in on Friday, 3 January for the test game ahead of the tie scheduled for Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium.
Coach Stephen Keshi has demanded for a friendly against a national team before the team depart for South Africa on 7 January. With an international match on the table, Keshi believes an opportunity has come for him to correct whatever mistakes he has noticed in the team.
“It will be so nice to play an African team that is also preparing ahead of the tournament, which will certainly give us an opportunity to correct our mistakes at least before the start of the championship”
Nigeria is grouped alongside, Mali, Mozambique and hosts, South Africa. 16 qualified countries are participating in this 3rd edition of the tournament but Nigeria’s debut appearance after they failed to qualify for the last two editions.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s coach, Bishaw, has axed goalkeeper Sisay Bancha and defender Abebaw Butako from CHAN after they fought in Nigeria recently.
It has been reported that the two players were involved in a fight in Calabar after the country’s full international team lost 2–0 to the Super Eagles in a World Cup play-off in Calabar.
Ethiopia have however named a provisional squad of 27 players for the championship. Perennial champions St George have again provided the bulk of the squad to South Africa with eight players including skipper Degu Debebe.
The players are Alula Girma, Salahadin Bergecho, Menyahel Teshome, Adane Girma, Omed Ukri, Beyadeglegn Elyas, Mentesenot Adane, Jemal Tasew, Fasika Asfaw, Tok James, Ephrem Ashamo.
Others are Tariku Getenet, Seyoum Tesfaye, Birhanu Bogale, Tadele Mengesha, Shemeket Gugsa, Gebremichael Yakob, Mulalem Yakob, Dereje Alemu, Aynalem Hailu and Asrat Megersa, Manaye Fantu and Mehari Mena