Seychelles held Ethiopia to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Linite in Mahe on Saturday in their Group J Day Two clash.
The Ethiopians had travelled with a huge contingent of supporters to overwhelm the hosts with their vocal support and on the pitch.
The Ethiopians had travelled with a huge contingent of supporters to overwhelm the hosts with their vocal support and on the pitch.
Seychelles though re-wrote the script as they started brightly in the first half and Bertrand Lablache, who was making his debut, should have broken the deadlock as early as the third minute but he blazed his shot over the crossbar.
In the eighth minute, Achille Henriette threaded a pass to Renick Esther who shot at goal, but the ball ricocheted off a defender’s chin and rolled agonizingly wide for a corner with the Ethiopian custodian Lealem Birhanu rooted to the spot.
Seychelles’ good approach paid dividends in the 22nd minute as Henriette’s cross bounced awkwardly in front of Ethiopian defender Tekalin Dedjne who handled the ball, forcing referee Hamada Nanpiandraza to point to the penalty spot.
Nelson Laurence stepped up to send goalkeeper Birhanu the wrong way for a 1-0 lead and the home fans rejoiced in the stands to silence the Ethiopian contingent.
The goal shook Ethiopia out of their lethargy as they raised the tempo but striker Getane Kebede of South African side Bidvest Wits failed to beat the Seychelles shot stopper Kitson Cecile on three occasions before half time especially five minutes before the break when he was put through but Cecile stopped him in his stride.
The second half started in calamitous fashion for the Islanders as midfielder Trevor Vidot was given the marching off orders only three minutes into the half following a second yello card for allegedly elbowing Gatoch Panora.
The numerical disadvantage weighed heavily on the home team and the Ethiopians poured forward relentlessly and duly leveled matters in the 52nd minute from Shemelese Bekele’s chipped effort, which Seyoum Tesfaye who coolly slotted the ball into the net for the equalizer.
The homers worked tirelessly to keep the Ethiopians at bay but had goalie Cecile to thank for denying Ethiopia captain Salahdin Said on 77 minutes with a low save.
In the eighth minute, Achille Henriette threaded a pass to Renick Esther who shot at goal, but the ball ricocheted off a defender’s chin and rolled agonizingly wide for a corner with the Ethiopian custodian Lealem Birhanu rooted to the spot.
Seychelles’ good approach paid dividends in the 22nd minute as Henriette’s cross bounced awkwardly in front of Ethiopian defender Tekalin Dedjne who handled the ball, forcing referee Hamada Nanpiandraza to point to the penalty spot.
Nelson Laurence stepped up to send goalkeeper Birhanu the wrong way for a 1-0 lead and the home fans rejoiced in the stands to silence the Ethiopian contingent.
The goal shook Ethiopia out of their lethargy as they raised the tempo but striker Getane Kebede of South African side Bidvest Wits failed to beat the Seychelles shot stopper Kitson Cecile on three occasions before half time especially five minutes before the break when he was put through but Cecile stopped him in his stride.
The second half started in calamitous fashion for the Islanders as midfielder Trevor Vidot was given the marching off orders only three minutes into the half following a second yello card for allegedly elbowing Gatoch Panora.
The numerical disadvantage weighed heavily on the home team and the Ethiopians poured forward relentlessly and duly leveled matters in the 52nd minute from Shemelese Bekele’s chipped effort, which Seyoum Tesfaye who coolly slotted the ball into the net for the equalizer.
The homers worked tirelessly to keep the Ethiopians at bay but had goalie Cecile to thank for denying Ethiopia captain Salahdin Said on 77 minutes with a low save.
By: Cafonline.com
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