St. George will later today host AS Vita Club in day three of the African Champions League at the Addis Ababa Stadium while missing key figures within its ranks.
Head coach Mart Noolj travelled back home in Netherlands on medical grounds and for the second match in a row will not be in the dugout.
His deputy Zerhiun Shengeta, who doubles up as the Walia Ibex’s deputy coach was with the national team away in Hawassa for a friendly match against Uganda yesterday, and will also not be available.
The third in command Fasil Tekalege, who led the team in a barren draw against Esperance du Tunis last week, will again be in charge today.
In goal, the horsemen will lack the services of first goalkeeper Robert Odongkara, who is out injured.
The Ugandan shot stopped aggravated a knee injury against the Tunisians and could be out for at least six months. His deputy Zirhuin Taddele is expected to fill the void.
Also out of the tie is veteran Adane Girma, who has two yellow cards.
A win for the horsemen, who are yet to score or concede in group C, will take them to second in the standings with five points – two less than leaders Esperance, who shocked defending champions Mamelodi Sundows 2-1 on Friday.
DR Congo side Vita Club are winless having lost two of their opening group matches and will be keen to salvage their campaign with a win.
In the lead up to today’s clash, Vita beat Sanga Balende 2-0 in the Linafoot playoffs, a form they hope to replicate against the Ethiopians.
