Don't be hating on the Black Lions, we ain't been deep in the Africas Cup for 30 years, but don't trip, we got this
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The Black Lions of Ethiopia despite over 30 years of oblivion from the continental scene were strong enough to bring down the defending champions, the Copper Bullets (Chippolopolo) of Zambia, to a 1-1 tie.
As expected the Zambians circulated the ball pretty well during the first half culminated by an opener at the 45’ by Orlando Pirate’s, Collins Mbesuma.
The wounded lions roared back at 65’ with a goal from Adane Girma. The lions then succeeded in managing the tempo of game till the end.
This unexpected draw comes to bring the number of ties in the tourney to four out of five game played so far.
Zambia won last Orange Africa Cup of Nations, last year. But their coach, Hervé Renard, is wary of Ethiopia‘s threat. Will this encounter prove him right? His rival Seyoum Kebede announces: “We are returning to the glory days.“
Ethiopia will be welcomed back to the Orange Africa Cup of Nations fold over three decades since they fail to qualify with a tough fixture against defending Champions Zambia.
The Walya Antelopes who had totally been out of the picture and written off on all fronts sprang a surprise even to their own disbelief by securing a ticket for the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations- at the expense of Sudan.
The East Africans boast of a team composed of home-based players from Dedebit, Defence and Saint George with only star man Said Saladin playing professional football in Egypt.
Their quarter final exit at the regional Cecafa tournament is not a result to judge them by given that they went into the competition with a second string team.
Their build up to the competition has been very promising, holding Tunisia to a 1-1 draw and defeating Tanzania 2-1.
Their performances have not gone unnoticed by Zambian head coach Herve Renard who recently voiced his admiration for the team.
The French man will be looking to keep the Afcon crown on their head beyond 2013 when they take to the pitch for their first game against the Ethiopians.
Renard has maintained most of the players that won the crown last year in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea- and maybe the habits- and why not his trade mark white shirts.
Zambia’s record in the warm up games has been dreadful but that will count for nothing when the Copper bullets are unleashed on the pitch to start firing down victims en route to their goal.
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