NELSPRUIT, South Africa (AP) — As Zambia opens its defense of the African Cup of Nations under the weight of new expectations, opponent Ethiopia has already achieved by simply qualifying for the tournament.
The two teams face off in the first game of a Group C double-header at Mbombela Stadium on Monday, with Zambia hoping to show that last year’s shock success was the start of a new era of strength.
The Chipolopolo — or “Copper Bullets” — play a team who won the African showpiece as hosts back in 1962 but have not appeared in the tournament since 1982.
“There is no pressure at all now,” Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishawhe said. “I am very happy to be one of this group as a winner after 31 years … I don’t care what result is coming tomorrow (Monday). That will be a new history.”
While Ethiopia plays down any hopes of success, Zambia’s players know what’s expected of them.
“I think as a footballer we have tasted the sweet, and now it’s time to try and taste it again,” Zambia captain Christopher Katonga said. “We know what the African Cup can do in our lives.”
Zambia’s clash with Nigeria on Friday could be the standout game of the group stage, as well as holding the key to who finishes top of Group C and avoids a tricky quarterfinal.
But Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard expects a difficult game against Ethiopia — particularly as continuous rain in Nelspruit has made the Mbombela pitch extremely muddy.
“I’ve watched many videos of Ethiopia, especially the one against South Africa when they drew 1-1 in Rustenburg last year,” Renard said.
“They are not scared to move the ball … they are a very good team of footballers and we have to be careful about this.”
africa cup is the ethiopia
This is an believeable team. Our boys have got talent, strength, speed and confidence all we supporters are to do is pray for luck. Whatever you religion is pray pray and pray. The players will go all the way with a little luck for they have all the rest.
God bless you wonderful guys and I hope you will go all the way and God bless Ethiopia.
THAT IS GOOD THE LAST OUR PROUD I BELIEVE THAT IS GOOD
this is our proud talent team DO NOT GIVE UP NEXT GAME THAT IS-GOOD
HEY EVERYONE I AM SUPER EXAITED ! Z ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS ” OUR GOD IS ABELE . . . ” I THINK ZIS IS Z TIME TO STAND ON OUR FEET . I LOVE ETHIOPIA !!
It should have been a different result ,but it was an excellent show piece ..which is ended an Ethiopian style ..but am afraid defense is a bit shaky ..
ethiopia2-zambia0
Rain ? I am no happy bc it’s not good any Ethiopian team
Ahune ye melese mete le ethiopia buden newe:beregnawe be rejemu lega … awo esu yelegawe kwase … awo ahune Adane Girma kwsune bedertu akumo le Alula akebelewe: awo ahune Alula kwasune be kenge kenfe eyegafa newe: Alula berejemu be gera kenfe lemirotewe Yusuf Salah asagerelete: rejeme cross neber: ahune Yusuf Salah eytalele newe, awo atalele hulute ye Zambia teklakyochene atalo alfwale: eyrote newe wede gole be kenge kenfe bechawene lemirotewe Saladin Said asalfelete: betam adegenga newe Saladin Said bechawene newe … betam adegenga newe … Saladin Said Saladin … Saladin bechawene newe aaaaaaaa ahune Saladin Said kwasune beketata wede goal metawe GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL
Temelakachochane betam yemigerme goal newe: Saladin Said ke Yusuf Salah hulute ye Zambia teklakayochene atalo yesalfeletene kwase be gera egeru akumo be kenge egru yemetawe kwase ye Zambia gebe tebaki saynekanke newe merbu lay yarefewe: bewente lemnager kehone betam yemisgerme goal newe.
Ahune ye Zambia budene kwasune ke mehale meda lijemeru newe, betam medenagete yetayebacheawele: awo ahune kwasune ke mehale meda jemerute.
Chewatawe ketejemere 10 dekika newe Ethiopia 1 Zamiba 0.
AERE AYGEMERM ENDE KENKILFE TENESCHE ESKAHUNKO MESRAT AKATEGN AERE EMEBETE DNGL WELADITE AMLAK KENESU THUN.
I HOPE ALL THE BEST TO ETHIOPIAN TEAM.GOD MAY ALLOW ALL THE BEST FOR THEM.BUT WE ACCEPT THE RESULT AS IT IS EVEN IT IS NOT GOOD MAY THE RESULT GIVE US STRENGTH.MY PREDICTION IS ETHIOPA 2 ZAMBIA 0
Never had such quality team, that could score in every game it played. we have a great chance for scoring and winning today game. our boys are in high spirit.They will start their campaign by defeating the defending champion, next confirm to step to the next level sinking burkina.
May Almighty God be with Ethiopian team. May be Ethiopia 1- 0 Zambia
zambia 0 -3 Ethiopia
that is my prediction
this is my gus zambia 0-3 Ethiopia
bravo waliya,God withe u ethiopia 2 zambia 1
God bless Ethiopia, will get 2(E)-0 or 3(E)-1.
woyen lebe dewe dewe ale…Dengel Erjen
we are proud of been the1st!!!colony??/NO NO NO, it is becoming the founder of Africa cap of nation???
It is not about weather ,it is about football,the pioneer is always the 1st!!!!be it in coloney or in football!!!we Ethiopians are proud!!!!!!
Ethiopia 3 – 1 Zambia
that is my prediction for tomorrow .
What about Chipolopolo? Can Walyas defend themselves against the copper bullets?
Whether rain, thunderstorm, volcano or tornado the Walias Antelope’s can survive anything.
Rain? I see people are already preparing an excuse!
to taste the bitter Zambia 4-1
it will be a breakthrough for da walias…no matter christophor katongo has tested da sweet it is time to taste the bitter
No weather, no rain, no nothing. It’s a football and there should be no excuse. Zambia should beat Ethiopia based on the record they have. but that wouldn’t happen I don’t think. Both will play not to lose since its first game as suppose to play to win. That will favor Ethiopia. My prediction is 1-1.
Ethiopia 3 – 1 Zambia
that is my prediction for tomorrow .
No doubt eth will score good result in SA.
When it comes to weather it not in our favor,since our playing stayle short pass with a lot of ball possession it might affect our passing and also that kind of field condition need extra energy.Remebering Guinea game two years back is enough!
Either it is a cold draw or a win for Ethiopia with many goals.