Ethiopia Football team pressured to succeed

Nigeria's Ahmed Musa (C)is challenged by Ethiopia's Mengistu Assefa Sendeku during their African Cup of Nations qualifier soccer match in Abuja
Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa (C)is challenged by Ethiopia’s Mengistu Assefa Sendeku during their African Cup of Nations qualifier soccer match in Abuja

By Marthe Van Der Wolf

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Ethiopia’s football (soccer) team hopes to excel when it makes its first appearance in 31 years at the Africa Cup of Nations. The young players hope to relive Ethiopia’s past glories at the tournament that begins next week in South Africa.

Ethiopia participated in the very first Africa Cup of Nations, in 1957, and won the trophy in 1962.

But that was a long time ago, and national team coach Sewnet Bishaw said his young team is under a lot of pressure, as this is a new experience for all the players:

“Most of them were not there when Ethiopia was qualifying for Africa Cup of Nations the last 31 years back. We have psychology class every two days, we teach them. And to erase this pressure we have arranged games to practice,” said Bishaw.

Read more Voice of America