Bishaw: Ethiopia will challenge Nigeria in Calabar on Saturday

The Walia Antelopes’ national team coach said he will be cautiously optimistic going into Saturday’s World Cup play-off against Nigeria.

Ethiopia’s head coach Sewnet Bishaw insists his side still stands a chance of qualifying for 2014 Fifa World Cup though they lost 2-1 to the Super Eagles in Addis Ababa three weeks ago.

“We have to bear in mind that they got the 2-1 advantage in the first leg after we did not close down space they rarely got in the 90 minutes," Bishaw told cafonline

Kenneth Omeruo returns for the Super Eagles against Ethiopia and Italy

The Chelsea defender has been handed a recall after recuperating fully from shoulder injury.

Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo has been called up for the 2014 World Cup second leg qualifier against Ethiopia that is scheduled for the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar on November 16.

Omeruo has been training with the Chelsea first team after recuperating from shoulder injury he copped with Nigeria at the Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil and played for the U-21s against West Ham on Friday.

Odegbami hails Eagles after Ethiopia win

Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami is delighted with the performance of the Super Eagles, after they defeated the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa.

A brace from Emmanel Emenike helped Nigeria come back from a goal down to record a 2-1 first-leg win over their hosts, in the race to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, leaving many fans, including Odegbami, very excited.

Emenike: I knew I would score

Emmanuel Emenike score Nigeria Ethiopia

Two-goal hero Emmanuel Emenike says he had confidence he would get a goal despite the tight attentions of Ethiopian defenders in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 win over the Walyas.

Ethiopia took an innocuous lead 10 minutes into the second half, but Emenike held off three defenders to rip in a ferocious equaliser soon after

Moses: Early goal will help Eagles

Victor Moses is confident the Super Eagles can come away with a good result against Ethiopia on Sunday, but says an early goal will make that task a lot easier.

"So far we have t quite felt the effects of the altitude yet, but it doesn't really matter, we still have to go out there and be confident and play our game," he told KickOffNigeria.com.

Oboabona putting Nigeria first

Super Eagles defender Oboabona putting Nigeria first

Godfrey Oboabona says he will do whatever it takes to help Nigeria reach the 2014 World Cup.

The Super Eagles meet Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday in the first leg of their qualifying play-off, with the Caykur Rizespor defender one of four national team players on a yellow card.

Nigeria name squad for crunch Ethiopia clash

The Super Eagles remain unchanged from the squad that defeated Malawi in Calabar in their last Group F game

Nigeria have named a list of 23 players ahead of their first leg 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia.

The African champions take on the Antelopes inside the National Stadium, Addis Ababa on Saturday, 12th October. Both teams will clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 16th November.

Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw eyes victory over Nigeria

The Walia Antelopes trainer anticipates a great encounter against Nigeria as he dreams of taking his country to their World Cup debut in Brazil

Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw has expressed optimism about his team’s chances of making it to their first World Cup as they face Nigeria in the play-offs.

The Walia Antelopes were pitched against African champions the Super Eagles in Monday’s draw conducted in Cairo, Egypt. The Antelopes are ranked 57 places below their opponents

"This is not the time to lament on the opposition we have since all the 10 teams that qualified were equally good and up to the task. 

Nigeria to play Ethiopia in final round

The Super Eagles will have the onerous task of facing the Walya Antelopes in the play-off on the road to Brazil 2014

Nigeria have been drawn to face Ethiopia in the play-off for Brazil 2014 World Cup on Monday.

The first leg matches will be played between October 11-15 while the second leg will be played between 15-19 November.

Bafana handed World Cup lifeline!

Bafana Bafana are in with a chance for qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil!

Ethiopia have lost three points in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign for fielding an ineligible player against Botswana on June 8, 2013.

Minyahile Teshome Beyene was due to have served a one-game suspension, but the Wayla Antelopes still fielded him in the 2-1 win.

However, Fifa have announced that the match has been declared a forfeit, meaning Botswana are awarded a 3-0 win – throwing the group wide open again.

The same player also played against South Africa, but Ethiopia cannot be punished twice for the same offence.

Ethiopia still lead Group A on 10 points, but are just two points ahead of Bafana Bafana, who have eight, with one round of matches to play. Botswana jump to seven points and are still in with a chance of qualifying should they win their final match against South Africa.

The statement from Fifa reads: “The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Botswana, with the EFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 after the Fifa Disciplinary Committee considered the EFF liable for having breached art. 55 par. 1 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil Regulations.

“The sanction relates to the Ethiopian player Minyahile Teshome Beyene failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him following two cautions received in two different matches (art. 17 par. 3 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code).”