Ethiopia have warning for SA

Striking Zambia, Adane Girma

ETHIOPIA have issued a stern warning to Bafana Bafana: forget about going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.
Captain Gebreyes Debebe is adamant the Walya Antelopes will finish the ongoing preliminary stages on top of the group.

Ethiopia lead the group with four points after beating Central African Republic 2-0 through a brace by Saladin Seidi in June last year.

The Ethiopia national football team—nicknamed "Walia Antelopes"-The fare·well

 Central African Republic are second on the log, with three points, with Bafana Bafana third (two points) and Botswana fourth (one).

"We may have not qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2013 Afcon finals, but we are happy with our performance overall," said Debebe.

Making their first appearance in the Nations Cup in 31 years, Ethiopia had a chance to reach the quarterfinals on the last day of their group campaign. They needed a win over Nigeria to book themselves a place in the knockout stages but went down 2-0 in a game where they showed no respect for the once-feared Super Eagles.

"Bafana Bafana will also fall when we meet in Ethiopia in June, as was the case with Central African Republic," said Debebe yesterday.

"We have laid a solid foundation at the Afcon finals, we will do well in the World Cup qualifiers. Gone are the days where Ethiopia only performed well in global athletics. We are going to shock many people.

"After qualifying for the 2013 Afcon finals, our next target is to go to Brazil in 2014."

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is one of the legends who were impressed by the east African country in the Afcon finals.

"If they can keep that team for two years, Ethiopia will be unstoppable," Keshi warned.

"They gave us a tough time. I also saw them when they drew with reigning champions Zambia.
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