APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia ended their unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) N2023 qualifying campaign with a 0-1 loss to Egypt away from home.
The two teams played their final match in the qualifiers in Cairo’s June 30 stadium on Friday evening.
The Walia Ibex were forced to defend deep as the Pharaohs pushed for the opening goal in the early stages of the encounter and Mohamed Abdelmonem was denied by goalkeeper Seid Habtamu in the 22nd minute.
The hosts deservedly broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Mostafa Fathi scored from close range after Seid had carried the ball into the attacker’s path.
The first half ended with Egypt leading 1-0.
Ethiopia came back as an improved side after the restart and Shemelis Bekele had a chance to score in the 58th minute.
The captain was denied by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy who also saved an effort from Abel Yalew in the 78th minute.
The Pharaohs were then able to contain Walia Ibex and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-0 victory to Egypt, who avenged the 2-0 defeat they suffered against Ethiopia in June last year.
The defeat brought Ethiopia’s disappointing qualifying campaign to end as they finished fourth in the group D.
MG/abj/APA