We’ll stop Eagles flight to Brazil – Walya Antelope

Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw

Nigeria host Ethiopia in the return leg 2014 World Cup playoff in Calabar on Saturday.

With the Super Eagles heading into the encounter with a 2-1 advantage courtesy of Emmanuel Emenike’s brace in the first leg in Addis Ababa on October 13, the Walya Antelopes would appear to have a  little chance in beating the African champions  to reach the World Cup in  Brazil, but the  North-East Africans who  must win by at least 2-0 to book their ticket insist they can upset the form book.

Walya Antelopes coach Sewnet Bishaw, captain Degu Debebe, midfielder Addis Hintsa and defender Butako  Abebaw maintain they have the quality to pick up the right result at the UJ Esuene Stadium and called on Ethiopians not to lose hope.

Bishaw believes the presence of  South Africa-based striker  Getaneh Kebede, who missed the first leg at Addis Ababa National Stadium, will propel his team to victory.

“To be honest, the presence of an  experienced striker like Getaneh will have an impact in the second leg,” Cafonline quoted him as saying during the week.

“But we have to be very careful not to give too much space for their strikers.

“We have to bear in mind that they got the 2-1 advantage in the first leg after we did not close down space they rarely got in the 90 minutes.

“In any case the result of a football match is determined at the end of the 90 minutes. We are ready to challenge them until the end.”

Debebe warned the Eagles not to underestimate the Walya Antelopes, saying they would regret if they take victory for granted.

“We will give our best and whatever result in Calabar we will accept it but most importantly we are all hoping to upset the form book,” Debebe told supersport.com.

“We might have lost to Nigeria at home but I always believe with hard work and God on our side we can upset the form book in Nigeria as nothing is impossible,” Abebaw said.

Sudan-based Hinsta  urged the team to avoid the mistakes that led to their defeat on home soil.

He insisted the Eagles are beatable and asked the team to fire on all cylinders during the game.

“It will be a tough match and no one should expect an easy ride. We may be the underdogs in this match but Nigeria should expect a good fight at their hands for the entire 90 minutes,” Hinsta said.

“We have always dreamed of being at the World Cup and though our dreams were dented at home I believe it’s  not over until the fat lady sings.”

Bishaw said his players must not be afraid to face the Nigerians, saying they could return home with the ticket to the World Cup if they overcome pressure.

He said, “In the very beginning we set ourselves a goal, which was to qualify for the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. To achieve that goal we have had to work very hard and that was our plan. We are training everyday and night to achieve our goal. We have 90 minutes more, and we will fight to the maximum. And I am confident we will qualify.”