The Ethiopian national football team secured a place at the 33rd edition of the African cup of nations after thrashing Madagascar by four goals to nil in their fifth qualifying game. Despite succumbing to a 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast in their final qualification game, their previous victory handed them a lifeline to qualify for the eleventh time.
The Walias were a powerhouse and one of the pioneers in the independent African football tournament.
In the first four editions of the African cup of nations, Ethiopia made the cut for the last stages of the competition.
They hosted and won the 1962 edition after finishing second and third in the 1957 and 1959 editions respectively. They were consistent participants in the competition until 1970. Since then, anytime the Walias of Ethiopia qualified to the AFCON, they would only complete their group games and get back home.
After exiting the 1982 AFCON tournament in Libya, Ethiopia was only able to show up after 31 years(2013).
Their identical possessive football has been revived by virtue of the presence of Shimelis Bekele, Mesud Mohammed, Getaneh Kebede and the likes.
Another aspect Ethiopia seem to be working on is their goal scoring abilities. In their last two appearances, they scored just a single goal in six games.
The Walias may have to put a more than exceptional performance to sail through group A which has the hosts, Cameroon with Burkina Faso and Cape Verde
Appearances so far : 10
Best Results: Champions in 1962
Worst performance: Group stage(1965, 1970, 1976, 1982 in 2013
Head Coach : Wubetu Abate
Most capped player: Shimelis Bekele with 68 appearances
Captain: Shimelis Bekele
Top scorer: Getaneh Kebede(32 goals in 61 appearances)
Player to watch: Getaneh Kebede
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Frank Appiah
