To the surprise of many and to the delight of all Ethiopians, the national football team headed by local coach Abraham Mebratu, have defeated Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group K match in Bahir Dar.
Ivory Coast had a great start as they scored an early goal by their captain Serge Aurier just four minutes in. However, the Ethiopian team rather than panicking started applying more and more pressure and 14 minutes later Surafel Dagnachew scored a goal bringing the two teams to an equal ground and by the 26th minute the Walia’s were 2-1 thanks to Shimeles Bekele.
Ivory Coast put on a hard show to even the scores before halftime but the Walia’s held their place. Ivory Coast would go on to fight hard in the second half but the Ethiopian’s defense spearheaded by Seyoum Tesfaye put all their efforts to waste.
In the end, the match ended in Ethiopia’s victory defeating the two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Ivory Coast.
This victory has taken the Ethiopian team to the second place in the group standing, while Ivory Coast has slipped into the third spot.
