Kebede looking beyond AFCON group stages

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Jan 05, 2022. 15:00

Getaneh Kebede is determined to fire Ethiopia into the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1968.

The Walia ibex failed to qualify for the last three editions of the biennial tournament since appearing at AFCON 2013 in South Africa.

Kebede, who was part of the squad that didn’t make it out of the group stages eight years ago, is keen to add to his 32 goals for the national team when the African showpiece gets underway on January 9.

“As strikers, we are always expected to score the goals. Playing at the AFCON is very important and as a striker I am hungry to get the goals that will lead my team to the next stage,” he told CAFOnline.

The East Africans open their AFCON campaign against Cape Verde on January 9 before taking on host nation Cameroon and Burkina Faso in Group A.

The 29-year-old striker is confident of advancing from their group, adding: “All we need to do is prepare well, concentrate and play as a team.”