Coach Abate urges Ethiopia players to battle for quarter-final ticket
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Loading... - Roseline Ampofo
- 27 Jan 2023
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Ethiopia coach Wubetu Abate has told his players to target quarter-final qualification when they face Libya at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship match on Saturday.
The east Africans take on the Mediterranean Knights in their final Group A match at the 19 May stadium in Annaba needing a win and another result going their way to be able to seal their place in the last eight.
The Walia Ibex have just one point from two matches at the tournament and can advance if they win against Libya and Mozambique drop points against hosts Algeria.
"Tomorrow's match is very important for us. We play against a very good Libya team that has unfortunately lost two matches," Abate said at the pre-match press conference on Friday.
"We only have one point but we know if we win tomorrow we will have a chance of qualification though it doesn't all depend on us. We will try to give our best."
Even though Libya are already eliminated from the competition, Abate reiterated the thoughts of Libyan coach Corentin Martins that the tie would be tricky because the 2014 champions will fight for pride.
"Maybe they will be more comfortable than us because they have less pressure. The fact that they have to play for their pride and that of the nation becomes more difficult," Abate added.
Poor finishing was the undoing of the Walia Ibex as they are yet to score in two games so far but Abate is confident they will turn the corner against Libya. Read More…
