Mekelakeya vs Misr El makasa (photo: soccerethiopia.net)
Mekelakeya vs Misr El makasa (photo: soccerethiopia.net)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Mekelakeya FC, Ethiopia’s representative in this year’s Orange CAF Confederation Cup , was defeated 3-1 by Misr El Makasa of Egypt here today.

The Egyptian scored 2 goals in the first 20 minutes -Hussien Ragab Abdelmohsen (9′) and  Amr Barakat (20′) and added a third in the 83rd thanks to Elsayed Hamdy. Mohamed Nasir scored Mekelakeya’s consolation goal in the 86th minute.
Where are the fans? (photo: soccerethiopia.net)
Where are the fans? (photo: soccerethiopia.net)
What was sad about this match is not just the result but the poor attendance. Where are the fans? Considering that this was an international match, one would expect Ethiopian soccer fans (irrespective of club affiliation) would come out in great numbers to support the team, but very few of them showed up. Could they be glued to their TV watching the english Premier League?
The Egyptian side’s preparation for this match included two friendly matches in Morocco with local sides Raja Casablanca and FUS.
The two sides will play the return leg match in Egypt in two-weeks time.