Ethiopia Plan Eagles Upset

John Egbokhan

3 June 2011

Ethiopia are planning a shock upset against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, when both teams clash in this weekend’s 2011 African Cup of Nations qualifying fixture in Addis Ababa.

With just three points from three matches so far played in the race to be among the teams that would play at tournament to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, the east African nation, noted for their prowess in long distance racing than in football, are acutely aware that anything short of an home win would end their quest to reach the tournament proper.

After suffering a 2-0 defeat to the coach Samson Siasia-tutored Eagles in the revers fixture in March, Ethiopia, desirous of turning the table when the Nigerians come visiting, only recently made changes in the coaching crew, with the appointment of former Namibian coach, Tom Saintfiet as the new man in charge of their national team.

The 38-year-old Belgian replaced British-Nigerian-born Iffy Onuora. The new manager, we gathered, has been mandated to ensure that Ethiopia’s bid of qualifying for next year’s Nations Cup gets back on track this weekend. And in a swift reaction, Saintfet, we learnt has intensified plans to derail Nigeria’s quest to pick all three points in Addis Ababa.

In order to achieve his aim of upsetting the Eagles, we learnt that Saintfet has asked his players to harass their Nigerian foes when the visitors are with the ball. We also scooped that he has told them not to be awed with the big stars that the Eagles are likely to parade, insisting that football is game of men and not of individuals.

Also, we learnt that Saintfelt has asked the Ethiopia Football Federation to galvanize support for the team by ensuring that the stadium is filled to capacity by passionate home fans who would cheer every move of the team while booing the Nigerians, when they are with the ball.

Ethiopia’s new coach is not new to controversies. Last year Saintfiet was at the centre of two controversies when he left Namibia to coach Zimbabwe.

First the Namibians claimed that Saintfiet had not resigned from his job with them.

He was then refused a work permit to take charge of Zimbabwe, despite signing a contract with the countty’s football association.

He never not got the necessary clearance to work in Zimbabwe and eventually went to coach a club in Jordan.

AllAfrica – All the Time