WE CAN’T FACE EAGLES’ FIREPOWER

By NBF News

The Antelopes of Ethiopia appear to have thrown in the towel even before arriving Abuja for next weekend's all-important Nations Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, if the latest news coming out of their camp is anything to go by.

The boys tutored by a Nigerian tactician, Iffy Onuora, have been telling whoever that cares to listen in Addis Ababa that it would amount to the 10th wonder of the world for them to leave Abuja with a result, given the array of stars Coach Samson Siasia will unleashing on them.

Apart from South Africa-based Fikru Teferra, all the other players called up by Coach Onuora for the match are home lads.

The players are said to be blaming themselves for not getting it right at home against the Syli Nationale of Guinea in a game they fell 1-4 at home. Daily Sunsports gathered that the attitude of the Ethiopian soccer federation has further demoralised the players, as the federation is said to not have been giving the team the much needed support.

According to our source, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) believed that the Antelopes were down and out as far as the Nations Cup qualification campaign is concerned. 'EFF is not doing much to motivate the boys. The football house believes the team is coming to Abuja to take another round of bashing as it did at home against Guinea,' our source said.

Meanwhile, Coach Onuora has resolved to adopt a defensive approach in the game in a bid to ensure that his team would not be beaten black and blue in Abuja. It would be noted that the Nigerian-born tactician invited a total of 12 defenders in his 24-man squad for the coming encounter. Onuora's dream is to leave Abuja with a respectable score line, even if his team is beaten.

While the players appear to have given up, the coach is confident that his strategy will rattle Coach Siasia, who is having his first litmus test in a competitive match since he took over as Eagles' gaffer. His first game against Sierra Leone, which ended 2-1 was a friendly encounter.