By Staff Reporter,

Ethiopia Walia Ibex have a date with Zambia’s Chipolopolo in an International friendly to be played on Sunday 6^th June in Addis Ababa.

Zambia arrived in the country on Friday night ready to do battle in what will be new test for coach Yohannes Sahle who debuts as the man incharge of Ethiopia after taking over the mantle from Portuguese Mariano Barreto.

The last time the two sides met was in 2013 Africa Cup of nations hosted by South Africa.

It was a game laced with a lot of expectations as Zambia were then African champions having won the 2012 Afcon.

2013 THE SWEET MEMORIES

Brave Ethiopia battled back from a goal and a man down to force a 1-1 draw with African champions Zambia in their opening Africa Cup of Nations clash.

The game at the Mbombela Stadium in South Africa’s eastern Mpumalanga province was easily the most entertaining game of the competition so far, with Ethiopia also missing a first-half penalty as they gave a superb account of themselves with vociferous support from their very passionate fans who remained relentlessly behind the team.

Things looked bleak for them when goalkeeper Jemal Tassew received his marching orders in the first half and soon afterwards Zambia were ahead through Collins Mbesuma.

But the Ethiopians, appearing in their first finals since 1982, fought back bravely in the second period and earned a deserved point as Adane Girma netted for them. Zambia pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but with their opponents putting 10 men behind the ball, could not find a breakthrough.

Saladin Said was within a whisker of giving Ethiopia the lead when he lobbed the ball over the on-rushing Kennedy Mweene in the Chipolopolo goal, but the ball bounced agonisingly over the empty net.

The Ethiopian forward had been given an even better opportunity midway through the opening period when he was fouled inside the box by Chisamba Lungu. It was a clear spot kick, but Mweene produced an excellent save to deny the striker, diving full-stretch to his left.

It got even worse for Ethiopia 10 minutes before the break. In the incident which saw Tassew being sent off, he received a straight red card for a terrible high lunge on Lungu 40 yards from goal. It was the correct decision from referee Castane Otogo, but Tassew was red-carded while being carried off on a stretcher, seemingly out cold.

Their mood was worsened still when Zambia went ahead just before halftime with a well-worked goal, as Isaac Chansa headed the ball down into the box and Mbesuma skipped past two defenders before driving the ball past substitute goalkeeper Zerihun Tadele.However Adane Girma brought the field to ruptuous celebrations with a beautiful taken goal that beat keeper Mweene from the near post a day that everyone remembers.

Zambia’s coach Honour Janza has kept faith in the team which played at the Cosafa tournament with Lubambo Musonda, Jacob Banda, Fackson Kapumbu, Kabaso Chongo, Given Singulama, Evans Kangwa, Emmanuel Mayuka and Kapota Kayawe as the new additions.

Goal Keepers

Jemal Tassew – Mekelakeya ,Tarik Getnet – Dedebit ,Abel Mamo – Mugher Ceminto

Defenders

Seyoum Tesfaye – Dedebit ,Aschalew Tamene – Dedebit,Tekalegn Dejene – Dedebit,Zekarias Tuji – Kidus Giorgis,Salahdin Bergicho – Kidus Giorgis,Mujib Kassim – Hawassa Kenema
Girma Bekele – Hawassa Kenema,Bereket Bogale – ArbaMinch Kenema,Moges Tadesse – Sidama Bunna

Midfielders

Mintesinot Adane – Kidus Giorgis,Gatoch Panom – Ethiopia Bunna,Firew Solomon –Mekelakeya,Biruk Kalbore – Wolaitta Dicha,Ramkel Lokk – Electric,Behailu Assefa – Kidus Giorgis,Aschalew Girma – Ethiopia Bunna,Ephrem Ashamo – Ethiopia Nigd Bank

Forwards

Biniam Assefa – Ethiopia Bunna,Baye Gezahegn – Wolaitta Dicha,Yonatan Kebede – Adama kenema Ephrem Kere – Mugher Ceminto

Zambia :The full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Danny Munyao, Jacob Banda

Defenders: Donashano Malama, Fackson Kapumbu, Kabaso Chongo, Emmanuel Mbola, Aaron Katebe, Christopher Munthali, Kayawe Kapota

Midfielders: Paul Katema, Kondwani Mtonga, Nathan Sinkala, Lubambo Musonda, Allan Mukuka, Mukuka Mulenga

Strikers: Patson Daka, Emmanuel Mayuka, Evans Kangwa, Given Singuluma

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com