Ethiopia still nurses the ambition of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil despite losing the first leg of the playoffs 2-1 toSuper Eagles in Addis Ababa last month.
Consequently, it has commenced serious preparations for the second leg of the final qualifying round billed for Calabar on November 16.
Ethiopia upped its preparations after the arrival of Finland based Fuad Ibrahim in camp at the weekend.
Despite the cancellation of an international friendly againstBurkina Faso coach Sewnet Bishaw has been conducting training in Addis Ababa with 23 players in camp .
Bishaw, who is delighted that the morale in camp is high, is equally happy with the training programme.
He agrees that the tie in Calabar would be a tough one, but hopes to upset the African champions.
“It will be a tough match in Nigeria but the truth is that we will fight for the entire 90 minutes as we intend to cause an upset.”
“The mood in the camp is very positive,” he added, noting that the only regret was the cancelation of the international friendly against Burkina Faso. “It was disappointing for the Burkina Faso friendly to be cancelled but sometimes this things happen. Our focus is on ahead of the Nigeria game as I always believe anything is possible and we will work on our mistakes. “
Meanwhile, Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor has said he will be fit in time for the match.
Last week, Igiebor suffered a groin injury in training, but the former FC Abuja player told MTNFootball.com he has resumed training with the rest of the Betis squad.
“Yes, I sustained a groin injury in training last week after our game against Athletico but it’s nothing serious,” Igiebor said.
“I have now resumed training with the rest of the squad and for sure I will be fully fit for the World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia.”
Nosa was absent in Betis 3-2 defeat away to Malaga.