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Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex will embark on a series of International matches as they shape up for the upcoming tough Africa Cup of Nations qualifers where they are grouped together with Algeria who were very impressive in the FIFA World Cup  2014 in Brazil where they reached the round of 16.

The Ethiopian football federation (EFF)Led by President Junedin Basha have secured a top notch International friendly with Angola in Luanda on August 3rd then the team will later proceed to Brazil for a two week training session with several matches lined up .

Basha who spoke to soka25east.com alluded to the fact that they wanted quality preparations after discussions with head coach Mariano Barreto .

“Yes indeed we have secured the friendly with Angola then the team will proceed to Brazil where they will train and play some friendlies to give them the much needed exposure before the qualifers”Junedin said

Asked about the request by Egypt FA for a friendly Junedin Basha was forthright “We had already made plans but that does not mean we will not get available time to play Egypt in the future as we need more friendlies but everything must we planned on time”he added

Earlier in the year coach Mariano Barreto gave his comments when Ethiopia was grouped in what is considered the group of death with the likes of Algeria,Mali and the winner of 2nd qualifier

“I however think it is a possibility for us to finish first or second in our group  and we will aim for that. Yes it will be tough but we will give our best as no team is smaller in today’s football “said Barreto.

Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex had a marverlous run in 2013 when they qualified for Afcon under then coach Sewnet Bishaw and later qualifed for CHAN 2014 while also reaching the World Cup 2014 play offs where they were eliminated by African champions Nigeria.

New Coach Mariano Barreto from Portugal has his work cut out for him as he tries to fill the big shoes left by Bishaw who excelled with the team.

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