The Super Falcons of Nigeria will on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 take on Ethiopia in the first leg of their round 2 African Women's Olympic qualifiers.
The Nigerian senior women's team will travel to Addis Ababa for the first leg encounter with the Walya Ladies before concluding the double-header at home on 31 October.
Ethiopia will play Nigeria in the second round of #olympics Women's football qualifiers. pic.twitter.com/8C3xED6EzC
— Ethiopia FF 🇪🇹 (@EthiopiaFF) July 16, 2023
The upcoming matches against Frew Hailegbrael's side promises to be a thrilling one as both teams fight for a place in the third round of the qualifiers.
Ethiopia earned their spot to face Randy Waldrum's Falcons side after eliminating Chad in the first round with a comprehensive 10-0 aggregate score, to make them a formidable opponent for the Nigerian women's team who didn't take part in the first round.
The objective for Ethiopia is to secure a place in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament which they haven't achieved so far in their women's football history. The competition is set to be held in Paris, France, in the summer of 2024.
However, they will come against a Nigerian women side that has a rich history of participation in the Olympics having represented Africa in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 editions but have failed to qualify for the last three Olympic tournaments.
It becomes really difficult for Walya Ladies to upstage the Falcons who had a good showing in the last FIFA Women's World Cup with a target to put an end to missing out of the Olympics in the past three ceremonies, but a good result at home can spur Hailegbrael's team to dream of knocking Nigeria out after both legs.
Ethiopia will not only aim to knock the Falcons out, but will also look to make a significant impact on the global stage once their qualification is sealed.
Ethiopia Olympic qualifiers squad to face Super Falcons
Goalkeepers: Tariqua Bergena (CBE), Betelhem Yohannes (Hawassa), Abeba Ajebo (Addis Ababa)
Defenders: Birkie Amare (CBE), Bizuayehu Taddese (CBE), Nardos Getnet (CBE), Senayit Shego (Adama), Betelhem Bekele (Mechal), Nestanet Tsegaye (Mechal), Kidist Zeleke (Hawassa), Dirshaye Menza (CBE)
Midfielders: Nybouny Yien (CBE), Messay Temesgen (CBE), Aregash Kalsa (CBE), Meadin Sahilu (Hawassa), Bethelhem Gizachew (Mechal), Bethelhem Mentelo (Addis Ababa),
Forwards: Loza Abera (CBE), Senaf Wakuma (CBE), Rediet Asresahegn (Hawassa), Turist Lemma (Hawassa), Nigist Bekele (Mechal), Ariet Odong (CBE), Mahlet Mitiku (Sidama), Emush Daniel (Hawassa)
As Ethiopia gears up for this crucial qualification bout with Nigeria, fans around the country will eagerly anticipate what these crop of players can come up with especially having in mind the Falcons inflicted the Walya Ladies their biggest defeat in history way back in October 2010.
Let's have a look at their form going into the match against Nigeria.
Ethiopia form ahead of Super Falcons Olympic qualifiers
Ethiopia women have played 10 matches since October, 2021. The team has played competitive and friendly matches under this period. Although they're winless in their last two games, they've recorded 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in their last 10 matches.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 week ago
