There was no winner in the second match of the 2022 African Nations Championship after Ethiopia and Mozambique played to a scoreless draw in Saturday’s opening matchup. Incompetence in the final third characterized a match where Ethiopia dominated the first half before allowing the Mambas back into the match but neither team deserved the full three points in the end. Ethiopia will take on hosts Algeria in their next Group A fixture and Mozambique will hope for a better performance against Libya with both matches set for Tuesday.
Both teams attempted to maintain possession in the early stages but Ethiopia was far more successful at the tactic with Mozambique causing themselves trouble by giving the ball away in their end. Mozambique goalkeeper Victor Guambe came up with an important save in the 14th minute, coming off his line to close down and deny Kenean Markneh’s shot after a defense splitting pass set up the Defence Force player. Guambe made a couple more important plays, cutting off Chernet Gugsa’s attempt in the 28th minute and stopping an Amanuel Gebremichael effort just before halftime.
The second half was a different story as the Mambas worked their way back into the match and Ethiopia lost some steam. Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde lifted his team with useful substitutions with halftime João Bonde nearly making an instant impact, shooting off target after playing a combination with striker Pachoio Lau King. Isac de Carvalho also came close after being introduced and should have scored in the 67th minute but got his header all wrong after a miscommunication between Ethiopia keeper Fasil Gebremichael and his center back on a cross nearly led to disaster.
Ethiopia had a couple of looks in the second half but Gugsa continued the theme of incompetent finishing, sending his shot far off target early in the second half after being sent in on goal by a pass from Kitika Jemma. The Walias controlled the midfield through captain and Player of the Match Gatoch Panom but will need to be sharper in the attack, an issue that is more glaring after the international retirement of all-time leading scorer Getaneh Kebede just before the competition.
Highlights from the match are below.
