Tadias Magazine
Editorial

Updated: Monday, January 14, 2013

New York (TADIAS) – As South Africa prepares to host the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations later this week the prospects of the Ethiopian national team, which is participating in the tournament for the first time in 31 years, is also receiving attention in mainstream media, albeit a bit dismissive and putting the Ethiopian coach on the defensive.

Regardless of the outcome at the upcoming competition, Ethiopian fans around the world (some already on their way to South Africa) are excited to see their country return to the Africa Cup after more than three decades of absence.

And, despite the noise, coach Sewnet Bishaw recently told Reuters his team is prepared to give it its best shot. “Our confidence is sky high,” he said. “We are looking at going as far as we can with the first aim being the quarter-finals.”

Coach Sewnet’s remarks came in response to Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger’s statements that made headlines recently when he suggested that none of Walya’s players are part of the international big league. “It is maybe the only international competition today where you do not know all the players,” Wenger said at a press conference last week. “This time in South Africa you will have Ethiopia; if I ask you to name five Ethiopian players, I am sure you will have a problem,” Wenger added.

“He (Wenger) is absolutely right,” Coach Sewnet’s said in his reply. “But that will help our team, that we are unknown in this tournament.” Coach Sewnet’s answer was reflective of his disciplined team. “I am sure that will not be the case at the end of the tournament for everyone, including Arsene,” he added.

The team faces the defending champions Zambia on January 21st for its opening match. We wish coach Sewnet Bishaw and the Walya Antelopes all the best and are proud of their accomplishments!

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Video: Ethiopia Returns to Africa Cup 31 Years Later – The Guardian

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Related:
In Pictures: Countdown to Africa Cup 2013 – Is South Africa Ready? (TADIAS)
Soccer-Ethiopia out to prove a point to the world and Wenger (Reuters)
Ethiopia Football Team Feels Pressured to Succeed (VOA News)
Ethiopia return to Africa Cup of Nations after 31-year hiatus (The Guardian)
Ethiopia Returns to Nations Cup After 31-Year Absence (VOA News)
Ethiopia Hold Tunisia to Draw in Warmup Match for African Nations Cup (Yahoo Sports)
Ethiopia’s Squad for Africa Cup Include 3 Foreign-based Players (TADIAS)
FEATURE-Soccer-Ethiopia’s ‘Walyas’ look to make up for lost time (Reuters)
Three Foreign-based Players Named in Ethiopia Squad (Reuters)
Nations Cup 2013: Ethiopia name squad (BBC)
Ethiopia Gearing up for Africa Cup 2013 (TADIAS)

In Pictures: Photographs of the Walya Antelopes – Ethiopia’s National Soccer Team

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