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Match - Sun 14 October, 15:00,
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11 Ethiopia confident of Sudan AFCON upset
The Walya Antelopes were beaten 5-3 by the Nile Crocodiles in the first-leg of their final qualifier for the tournament to be held in South Africa.
Ethiopia are chasing their first Nations Cup appearance since 1982 and their task has been made difficult by the suspension of two key players.
The home side will be without first-choice goalkeeper Sisay Bancha and defender Abebaw Butako who were sent off in the first-leg in Khartoum last month.
Second choice shot-stopper Dereje Alemu, who was scheduled to take over from Bancha, injured his leg in training on Monday.
This setback coupled with the 5-3 first-leg defeat means Ethiopia have a difficult taks at hand but coach Bishaw is confident they will overcome the Sudanese with just a 2-0 win.
"I cannot deny that it was a heavy defeat. But it is possible to reverse that result with a simple 2-0 win in front of our fans," Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw said.
"My senses tell me that it is possible to reverse the deficit and gain victory over the Sudanese side."We are prepared for any situation that will arise.
"The Ethiopia coach will be counting on the experiences of the squad that helped the country to qualify for their last Nations Cup appearance in 1982.
"My boys are determined to make history like the past Ethiopian side that won over Guinea during the 13th African Nations Cup qualifiers," the coach said.
"That side went against all odds to win against Guinea and make it the 1982 finals in Libya.
"With this unified strength and high spirit we have belief that it will be possible to break the defensive tactic with an attacking football using the full length of the pitch."
Sudan have been preparing in Kenya this week for altitude training to ensure that they can overcome the harsh weather conditions in Addis Ababa.
Coach Abdallah Mazda says they have corrected the mistakes in the first-leg clash that allowed Ethiopia to get back into the game.
“The tie isn’t over, we have not yet finished. When we go to Ethiopia we plan to rectify our mistakes at the back and ensure we don’t concede like in the first leg which cost us and gave our opponents an advantage," Mazda said.
“I will not look down on Ethiopia.
"They are a good team and we should respect them. That is the only way we can grind out a result out of them.”
Sudan won 5-3 in Khartoum and the winner of the tie over two legs will qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in January.
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