Ethiopian Women U-17 national side entertains its Nigerian counterpart today at Addis Ababa in the U-17 World Cup final qualification campaign first leg showdown. Head Coach Selam Zeray told reporters that the team minus international friendly matches is well prepared for the home game. The aggregate winner books a place in 2018 World Cup final staged in the South American nation Uruguay.
Sailing through the first qualification fixtures by forfeit from Kenya, the The Ethiopian side has been preparing for the past three weeks. According to Selam the new league season’s start had been a big help for the players in order to gain match fitness therefore the dwell against the African mighty side may not be as such a big deal. “It would have been a huge bonus for the team had there been an international friendly match. However, missing the chance is also a blessing in disguise for it helped us focus on the buildup of the team,” head coach Selam told reporters. “The diehard spirit is our strongest part of the buildup therefore “Win by all means in front of home supporters” is our motto Selam added.
Despite little consideration from the Football federation and some controversy over the age limit, the players appeared in high spirit to prove themselves for home football fans. Famous for her 4-4-2 formation at Kidus Giorgis Women’s team, Salam‘s plan is to finish her job at home for the defeating the visitors on their home soil is unthinkable. “ I beg football fans to help us win this home game otherwise a return leg at a town five hours drive from Legos is a slippery high hill to mount,” one of the players suggested.
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