Ethiopia targeting big win in final AFCON qualifier

by BackPageTXT

Tuesday Aug 30, 2016. 12:09

Ethiopia will be targeting a big victory in their final Group J 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier when they host Seychelles at the Hawassa International Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

While Ethiopia cannot finish top of the group and secure a guaranteed berth at the 2017 finals – that particular honour belongs to North African giants Algeria – they do have a shot at finishing as one of the two best runners-up.

The Wayla Antelopes come into this clash with eight points on the board, meaning they can finish their campaign with a maximum of 11. If results in other groups go their way, that total may prove to be enough to claim a best runners-up berth, though their fate is very much out of their own hands.

As for the Seychelles, they are placed third on four points and have no mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals. Their last outing in the group was a 2-0 home loss at the hands of Algeria, while Ethiopia won 2-1 in Lesotho.

When the Seychelles and Ethiopia met in their first match a year ago in Victoria, a penalty from the home side’s Nelson Laurence was cancelled out early in the second half by Seyoum Tesfaye as the sides played to a 1-1 draw.

Ugandan referee Brian Nsubuga Miiro will take charge of the game in Hawassa, while the other Group J match between Algeria and Lesotho is set for Blida on Sunday evening.