It is a privilege to face the host country - Ethiopia coach Abate

Playing against the host country has become a habit for Webetu Abate. During the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, the Ethiopians had to come up against Cameroon in front of a packed Olembe stadium.

They have a similar task yet again this Tuesday, when they come face to face with TotalEnergies African Nations Championship hosts, Algeria at a sold out Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki.

“We know that the Algerian people love football – it is the number one sport here. However, this is not a situation that scares us. I have a group of professionals, all members of my team know what they have to do” said Abate who was speaking at the official press conference on Monday ahead of their big encounter.

The Walya lacked the killer instinct in their outing against the Mozambique, a meeting that ended in a goalless draw. The Ethiopians will have to correct their mistakes should they want to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

“We'll have to attack, score and win” confirmed the captain of the Ethiopian team Mesud Ahmad.

The Ethiopians position themselves as the underdogs of this fixture according to the coach.

“We are definitely not the favourites for this clash but that does not mean that we will give this match to Algerians. Look at how Madagascar went all out against Ghana and won last night. We have all seen the upsets of the World Cup in Qatar. We have hope to do great things in this competition,” said a confident Abate.

The coach also confirmed the injury of Yigezu Bogale during the press conference who will need to undergo an MRI scan.

“We are not complete. Yigezu Bogale needs an MRI, his knee is still a little swollen from the last match”.

Ethiopia will face Algeria in the second match of the day at 20h00 GMT at the Nelson Mandela located in Baraki.