PREVIEW: Ethiopia Walia Ibex face off against tricky Algeria Dessert Foxes

by
Collins Okinyo
September 4, 2014

By Administrator,

Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex face a daunting task on Saturday when they host Algeria who just two months away mesmerized Africa with their sublime performance at the FIFA 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil.

It will be a weekend laden with statistics in a group opening match that will see the teams also face off with Mali and Malawi to decide who makes it to the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 in Morroco.

Ethiopia find themselves in a very strong group , however with the Walia’s impressive performance in 2013 qualifying for Afcon 2013 and World Cup 2014 playoffs where they lost to Nigeria it will be at ones own peril to write off Ethiopia’s chances in the battle for Morrocco 2015.

New coach Mariano Barreto has his work cut out for him as he seeks to emulate his predecessor Sewnet Bishaw who left an indelible mark at the helm of the national team but after a tour of Brazil, Barreto knows exactly what is expected of him at the highest level in the qualifiers with the first game against the Dessert Foxes in Addis Ababa

Mariano Barreto’s record since talking over Walia Ibex reads 5 losses and 1 draw with four losses in the Brazil tour and one loss against Angola in an International friendly in Luanda.

The players Mariano is likely going to stick with having been tried and tasted include Striking trio Umed Ukuri Alexandria Egypt,Salhadin Said Al Ahly Egypt,Getaneh Kebede Bidvest Wits South Africa.

Abebaw Butako St.George,keepers Sisay Bancha and Jemal Tessaw,Adane Girma,Shemeles Bekele,Addis Hintsa,Thok James.

Ethiopia last won Afcon 1962 when they hosted the tourney and have never been able to achieve the same fete to date.

On the other hand Algeria football federation has been preparing for this important match ensuring they undertake all the necessary means for the qualification for the Afcon 2015 in Morocco.

The FAF has indicated,that the Dessert Foxes stay in Ethiopia has been organized since May, underlining that a plane will be chartered with the national company; Air Algerie for the Desert Foxes’ trip to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

The Algerian football association went is leaving nothing to chance and has also taken all the dispositions to supervise and watch the matches of the national team’s future opponents in the ACN qualification group (B)

The Ethiopia vs. Algeria game will be the first for the Desert Foxes’ new French coach, Christian Gourcuff, who succeeded to Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, whose contract ended following the World Cup.

Algeria has qualified for four World Cups in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. Algeria has also won the African Cup of Nations once in 1990, when they hosted the tournament. At the 2014 World Cup, Algeria became the first African team to score four goals in a match at the World Cup after scoring four goals against South Korea and they will be fighting to ensure that their top form takes them to Morrocco.Players to watch for Algeria will include

Sofiane Feghouli of Valencia,Medhi Lacen of Getafe,Liassine Cadamuro Real Sociedad,Islam Slimani Sporting Lisbon,Rafik Haliche Qatar.

Ethiopia v Algeria Head-to-Head:

16 Jan 1968	Ethiopia v Algeria	L	3-1	African Nations Cup
13 Mar 1982	Ethiopia v Algeria	D	0-0	African Nations Cup
04 Sep 1994	Ethiopia v Algeria	D	0-0	African Nations Cup
07 Apr 1995	Algeria v Ethiopia	W	2-0	African Nations Cup

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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