Africa for beginners!!!

[Sureseye]

Re: Africa for beginners!!! Ethiopia - Nigeria Pick: X, 3.5 @bet 365 1 - 1, 7.2 @youwin On paper, this fixture looks the most unbalance going by the expected class differnence. Ethiopia have improved a lot since the last time they played at the AFCON this year. Their strength and team work is what I admire a lot. Nigeria met with Ethiopia in a dicey situation at the AFCON and it was Moses's darting runs and brilliance that ensured Nigeria were better from two penalties. Ethiopians were shaky but played nice for most part of the game and anyway gave 'respect' for the 'giant of Africa'. Ethiopia posed great results at the qualifiers winning their last two matches by 2-1 having to cme from a goal behind in the two matches (South Africa were in a 'must-win' quest but lost 2-1 when they visited Ethiopia, won troubled CAR who had to play their home matches away). They won four out of Six of their qualifier matche and only a 3-point deduction by FIFA made their qualification a bit sterner. Expectations of fans in the high-altitude country is high and most are expecting an upset in this match. Coach Sewnet Bishaw will be without forward Getaneh Kebede who is probably their best player, missing with a nagging ankle injury. Saladin Said Ahmed is set to spearhead the attack in Kebede's absence after Ahmed, like Kebede, scored four of Ethiopia's eight goals in qualifying from Group A. Nigeria decided to fly a day before this match so as to cushion the altitude effect but they also have to play against the Ethipians 12th man and the home advantage which is notable in African football. Nigeria are playing some nice football at the moment; strings of passes are beginning to articulate and character is been built in the team. Team is studded with player plying their trade in Europe as Chelsea man Mikel Obi dictates the pace for Nigeria matche, often creatively calming match tempos. Ambrose and Echiejile are quality defenders who often overlap to support the attack and the attack is where any coach will have positive problem of who to field; Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands). One man certain of starting in attack is powerful and consistent Emmanuel Emenke. Going by previous squads, coach Keshi can count on his best for this match. Keshi had declared that anything other than a defeat will be a bad result for Nigeria and from experience usually plays for draw under this circumstance. Ethiopians team might largely contain home nationals but are greatly fancying their chance and have put all hands on deck. A tactical game is expected in one which I expect Nigeria to be more on the receiving end, probably after squaring in the game will have to defend in mass; 1-1.

[gazzo]

Re: Africa for beginners!!! Looking at the squad Ethiopia, I have to disagree and go with Nigeria as they seem to have better players. 2-0 I think.