Ethiopia have defeated Somalia 2-0 to storm into the first round qualifier of the African U-20 Cup of Nations, which is due in Southern African nation Zambia.
Djibouti hosted the game due to the security concerns in Somalia as second half goals from Biniam Belay and Ome Mohammed gave Ethiopia a 4-1 victory on aggregate over the minnows. Coach Girma Habteyohannis has made 5 changes to the national side that faced Somalia fortnight ago in Addis Ababa.
Biniam Belay gave Ethiopia the lead when he successfully converted a spot kick three minutes after the recess. Striker Ome Mohammed extended the lead on aggregate when he grabbed the second in the 52nd minute. The visitors were the dominant force during the game as the hosts had a futile attempt to score goals through counter attacks.
Ethiopia will lock horns against West African nation Ghana in the next qualifying round. Ghana, who had won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009 in Egypt, have beaten Cameroon 2-1 at home in a friendly game played out today. The two sides will be facing each other yet again on the coming Tuesday.
