Walia Ibex head Coach Yohannes Sahle has expressed satisfaction with his side’s barren draw with Cameroon in their second group “B” match of African Nations Championship (CHAN) played yesterday at Stade Huye, Butare.
Ethiopia went down hard in their opening group tie against the run away group “B” leaders DR Congo who mercilessly tore them apart 3-0, and Coach Sahle believes the draw against the indomitable lions was a huge improvement from the nightmarish performance against the Leopards.
“We tried to correct some mistakes from the first match. I told my players that they shouldn’t fear anything and they played a good game especially Asrat Gobena. I heard some of my players say they were tensed during the game against DR Congo, which has players from African champions, TP Mazembe; but I said to them play the game because it’s 11 against 11. I am really happy with the result. I told them (the players) to concentrate 100 percent on the match and I am totally responsible for the results,” Sahle told CAF.
“In the second half we tried to be more cautious by defending and just playing on the counter attack,”
“Cameroon has a good team in general. The players are very good and physically fit. I’m also convinced that they are tactically stronger but technically we were better.”
Walia skipper Seyoum Tesfaye is focusing on the next assignment against Angola on January 25 in Kigali; Palancas Negras have lost all their two opening matches – and Tesfaye is aware of the task at hand, and it’s significance as far as their CHAN 2016 campaign is concerned.
“The next match against Angola is a do or die game, which we have no choice other than winning. We do respect every team but fear none. We will try our best to win and qualify,”
Nothing but a win against the Coach Romeu Filemon’s charges will enhance Walia’s chances of emerging as one of two teams to proceed to the round of eight – this will again heavily depend on the final result of Cameroon vs DR Congo encounter in Huye on the same day.
“In football, anything is possible. We will just play to win. We are very much aware the outcome of the DR Congo – Cameroon will be vital in deciding our destiny, but we will play our part.” He concluded.
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