Ethiopia still remains with a chance of qualifying for the 2017 African Cup of Nations after a 3-3 draw with Algeria in a game played at the Addis Ababa National stadium this evening. The Algerians were heavy favorites to win the game after their 7-1 victory in Blida in the reverse leg on Friday, but the Walias put on a spirited performance and may even consider themselves a tad unlucky not to come away with the win.
The game started on a bright note for the hosts with Gatoch Panom forcing a save from Algeria keeper Rais Mbolhi as early as the 3rd minute. The Ethiopians continued piling on the pressure and Getaneh Kebede was played through on goal in the 21st minute, but he was let down by an erroneous first touch. The South Africa based striker was a handful for the Algerian defense and opened the scoring in the 28th minute connecting with a corner after he was left unmarked at the edge of the box.
A minute later Ramkel Lokk seemed to have doubled Ethiopia’s lead, but the goal was denied after the assistant referee rightly ruled him offside. Algeria continued playing with zest of an experienced team and the confidence of the first leg victory, and were level at the 42nd minute when a clever Walid Mesloub flick was headed in by Islam Slimani. The Sporting Lisbon striker had gone into the referees book just a minute before the goal for an elbow to Alula Girma’s face.
Getaneh Kebede restored Ethiopia’s lead in the 48th minute after receiving a slick through ball from former Dedebit team mate Tadele Mengesha. Shimelis Bekele’s 54th minute freekick from the edge of the box was punched out by Rais Mbolhi, as the Walias continued playing positive football. However, Algeria did level matters in the 61st minute when Aissa Mandi hassled with Aschalew Tamene in the air before beating keeper Abel Mamo with a towering header. The The Fennec Fox were unlucky not to go up a minute later when Abel Mamo made a brilliant save to deny Yacine Brahimi’s point blank volley.
Getaneh Kebede, who was a thorn in Algeria’s flesh Today, found space in the box and fired forcing Mbolhi to a good save, but Dawit Fikadu converted the rebound to once again give the lead to Ethiopia. Porto winger Yacine Brahimi struggled against the Ethiopian defense all game but was brought down in the box by Anteneh Tesfaye in the 87th minute. Kenyan referee Davis Omweno was quick to point to the spot, and Faouzi Ghoulam stepped up to convert the penalty, earning his team 1 point in the process.
Following the result, Algeria tops the group with 10 points while Ethiopia is 2nd with 5. Seychelles, who lost 2-1 against Lesotho Today, is 3rd with 4 points with Lesotho occupying the last place in the group. The Walias will now hope to qualify as one of the 2 best group runners-up by beating Seychelles and Lesotho in the remaining games.
