Ethiopia’s expedition for a debut appearance at the Fifa World Cup will face another hardtest when they face Nigeria in the second leg play-off tie in Calabar on Saturday.
How will this much anticipated ‘battle of Calabar’ wrap up? Will it be a stroll in the park for Stephen Keshi’s star-studded side or will it be David slaughtering Goliath and punctuate Nigeria’s hope of making a fifth World Cup appearance in the Brazil 2014?
It is a far fetched hope, particularly as the African champions are taking a 2-1 advantage from the first leg played in Addis Ababa.
However, the Ethiopians are not going to lie low for the Eagles to stroll past them. Coach Sewnet Bishaw, the man who has nurtured a revival for Ethiopian football has been boasting his boys would cause an upset in Calabar.
The Walya Antelopes have an added impetus following the return of star striker Getaneh Kebede who was condemned to the sidelines due to injury in the first leg.
Bishaw believes his side, notwithstanding their position in FIFA rankings, can pull the chestnut from the fire particularly when their first leg performance is put into consideration. “We will fight to the end,” he told reporters on arrival, Thursday.
Plausible as this optimism may sound, the Antelopes will not find it smooth in demystifying the attacking forays of the Super Eagles led by in-form Fernabache forward, Emmanuel Emenike whose brace sank them in the first leg. Liverpool winger Victor Moses, CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa and Italy based Nnamdi Oduamadi will also be unleashed on the Ethiopians.
Nigeria needs a draw to qualify but Coach Stephen Keshi is optimistic, the Super Eagles will fly over the men from the Abyssinia. “We respect them as a team and because they deserve to be here we will not underrate them. We are prepared and without mincing words, we will be at the World Cup.”