Ethiopia 1 Benin 1 - Ethiopia advance to final round of ACN qualifiers!

Ethiopia's Black Lions played their second leg fixture away to Benin today, after a scoreless draw in Addis Ababa 3 months ago. A scoring draw would be enough to see Ethiopia through to the final round of qualifiers for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
A major blow was the absence of star player Saladin Said, injured during last weeks world cup qualifier victory over Central African Republic in which he scored twice.
The match started and the home side, full of players based in europe started the stronger and the Black Lions looked nervous and barely connected more than 2 or 3 passes. And in the 20th minute of the game, Mikael Pote, who plays his professional football in Germany, poked the ball behind Ethiopian goalkeeper Sisay Bancha. 1-0, a result that would see Ethiopia eliminated.
The Ethiopians adjusted their midfield and set up a long ball game to service lone striker Adane Girma of St George. Although isolated at first, he started connecting more and beoming a threat due to consistency of the likes of Addis Hintsa and Minyahil Teshome who both play at Dedebit FC.
And then, the unthinkable. Seyoum Tesfaye's cross was poorly dealt with by the Benin team, Addis Hintsa attempted a long range drive, his ball fell to the path of Adane Girma who took one touch before blasting the ball into the top corner past the Benin goalkeeper. 1-1 the score at halftime.
The second half, the Black Lions tightened their backline and resisted Benin's desperate attempts to attack and win the game. Ethiopia's captain Degu Debebe was at his finest, solid, commited and a rock at the heart of the Walya defense. In the end 1-1 was the final score.
1-1. Ethiopia advances to the final round via the away goals rule.
After Ethiopia's Womans National Team elated the nation with their victory yesterday to qualify to the African cup of nations, the men gave our country more reason to celebrate after today's result.
Starting 11 for Ethiopia today:
1. Sisay Bancha (GK)
2. Degu Debebe (C)
12. Biyadgelegn Elias
6. Alula Girma
4. Abebaw Butako
10. Berhanu Bogale
21. Addis Hintsa
17. Seyoum Tesfaye
8. Asrat Gobena
15. Minyahil Teshome
19. Adane Girma
Ethiopia have played decent football recently. The Black Lions are now undefeated in their last 5 matches, with 2 wins and 3 draws. Their last defeat was in November 2011, to Kenya.
In their last 10 matchs, Ethiopia have won 3, drawn 6 and lost once. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 8. They have kept 4 clean sheets.
Ethiopia is only 2 games away from qualifying for the African Cup of Nations. Our first of those two games will be September 7 or 8th.
VIVA BLACK LIONS
VIVA WALYAS
VIVA TIKUR SEW
VIVA ETHIOPIA!!!!!!!

[@oLeonidas]

Ethiopia plays footboll again!!!!!!!
Respect from Serbia