Despite their eviction from the Afcon 2013 taking place in South Africa by the Super Eagles of Nigeria last night, Ethiopia had a wild ride while they lasted at the competition.
Being its first African Cup of Nations in more than 30 years, it sure will be a memorable experience for the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia even though the team was eliminated in the group stage.
From their opening with defending champions, Zambia, it was drama all till their final clash with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
At a press conference organised after the Ethiopia-Nigeria match, Coach Sewnet Bishaw admitted that his boys had a problem of experience which was needed to move to the second round of the Afcon 2013 tournament, as most of the players in the team are local-based players. He, however, commended the boys for their performance in the group clashes.
Two Ethiopian goalkeepers were sent off in the course of their game, and the team’s federation was fined because of the Walya Antelopes fans for violent tendencies against Zambia during the opening game, during which the referee also sent off the Ethiopian goalkeeper. The East African country scored its first tournament goal in 37 years and played a draw with defending champions, Zambia, which came as a surprise to analysts.
Ethiopia was a win away from advancing to the quarterfinals but allowed two late goals against Nigeria in its final Group C match on Tuesday to finish last.
