A cross-section of Ethiopians on Tuesday in Addis Ababa expressed unhappiness with the Brazil 2014 World Cup Qualifiers Final Play-off draw.
Monday’s draw at the Cairo headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had pitched Nigeria against Ethiopia.
The Nigerian Super Eagles are billed to face the Walya Antelopes in a two-legged winners-take-all, with the first leg taking place between October 11 and October 15 in Ethiopia.
News of the draw however dominated discussion in the country’s Media, and among football officials and fans across the city of Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
An official of the Ethiopian Sports Commission, who prefers not to be named, said that many Ethiopians were not happy with the pairing.
The official said the Ethiopians did not expect the development, and would now be hoping the Walya Antelopes would “successfully handle the Eagles in spite of all odds’’.
“We are hopeful we can take advantage of the weather and high altitude, as well as our players’ speed, to tackle the Eagles in Addis Ababa,’’ he said.
Ato Mekonen, Technical Director at the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), told NAN the Walya Antelopes were currently in top form and would “surprise the African champions’’.
Also, Sewnet Bishaw, the Head Coach of the Ethiopian national team, told NAN in a telephone interview that “we know the Nigerian Super Eagles and we will prepare for them’’.
Also, news of the Ethiopia/Nigeria pairing dominated analyses and commentaries on both the Ethiopian Radio and Television (ERT) stations’ morning sports programmes.
The news remained on the lips of most football fans at work places and business places, including taxi drivers, artisans and many traders across the city throughout Tuesday morning.
Thousands of unemployed youths, who form the bulk of football fans in the country, were sighted chatting in groups around the Addis Ababa National Stadium.
Canista Tesfaye, one of the youths, however told NAN that Ethiopia’s hopes of an appearance at the World Cup finals appeared dashed “because the Walya Antelopes cannot stand the Super Eagles’’.
However, another fan, Tewolde Gebriel, a gymnasium worker, said he was confident the Walya Antelopes would beat Nigeria in Addis Ababa and then look forward to a draw in Nigeria.
The Super Eagles will host the second leg match between November 15 and November 19.
