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For its entry into the competition, Cape Verde won a first victory once morest Ethiopia (0-1). Outsider of Group A, the Blue Sharks took advantage of the exclusion of Ethiopian defender Yared Bayeh in the 12th minute.
After Cameroon’s victory once morest Burkina Faso in the opening match, Those are the Cape Verdeans who imposed themselves once morest to Ethiopia (0-1), Sunday January 9, at the Olembé stadium in Yaoundé, in the second match of group A. For their third participation in a Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), the Blue Sharks started the competition in the best possible way.
Favorites of this meeting once morest a modest Ethiopian team composed mostly of local players, Pedro Brito’s players find themselves in numerical superiority from the start of the match. At the 12e minute, Yared Bayhed is sent off for a foul on Julio Tavares. Despite this advantage, Cape Verde struggles to put its opponents in difficulty. The Cape Verdeans monopolize the ball but do not manage to be dangerous in front of goal.
It was not until the 27e minute that the Ethiopian Mignot Dada fails to score once morest his camp and open the scoring. He is saved by his goalkeeper Teklemariam Shanko who manages to repel the hazardous clearance of his defender. Very prominent in this meeting, the Ethiopian goalkeeper is once once more decisive at the 34e minute on a double opportunity from Cape Verde.
However, just before half-time (45th + 1), the latter can do nothing once morest Julio Tavares. The former Dijon player finally finds the net with a plunging header on a discount in the axis of Garry Rodrigues.
Cape Verdeans unable to make the break
Back from the locker room, the Blue Sharks approach the match with more bite. At the 51e minute, Mignot Dada is close once once more to score once morest his camp by deflecting a cross from Garry Rodrigues.
The Cape Verdeans are stationed in the midfield of Walya, but without succeeding in creating clear opportunities. At the 70e minute, Kenny Rocha Santos is however dangerous with a shot from the left repelled by a beautiful parry by the Ethiopian goalkeeper. Eight minutes later, the KV Ostende midfielder returned with another powerful strike, but it just missed Teklemariam Shanko’s goal.
Without a solution, Julio Tavares’ teammates are content with this small goal and this first victory. The latter allows them to obtain second place in Group A behind Cameroon, tied on points.
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