National Teams
“We are going to win” – Ethiopia captain Loza Abera eyes Nigeria fall in Addis Ababa
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Captain of Ethiopia senior women’s national team, Loza Abera is confident that her side can upset Nigeria on their home soil in the leg of the Paris 2024 Olympics Games qualifiers on Wednesday.
Both sides will meet for the first time at the senior level of international women’s football since 2012 when they last met in the Women’s African Cup of Nations in 2012 in Equatorial Guinea, where the West Africans won 3-0.
In the first round, the Ethiopians secured a ruthless 6-0 win over Chad in the first leg in Addis before they competed the double with 4-0 on away ground, ensuring a 10-0 aggregate win over the Central Africans.
Ahead of the first leg, second round duel at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, Abera feels her side is in the right frame of mind to claim the three points against the nine-time African champions this week.
“We are ready to take on Nigeria and expect a good match on our home ground,” Abera told NigeriaFootball.ng.
“Our mood in camp is great and the coach (Firew hailegebriel) has prepared us well for the match against Nigeria.”
The Super Falcons have missed the last three editions of the Olympic Games and will be hoping to end their 14-year hiatus from the global showpiece after reaching back-to-back Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
And the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC (CBE FC) star, who scored in both legs against Chad, is upbeat about her side replicating their winning mentality against Justine Madugu’s side.
“The Chad game was very good, so we will continue that performance in the Nigeria game,” Abera continued.
“Yeah, we respect Nigeria, but we are going to win. We expect the game to be a great one.”
Ethiopia are eyeing their first ever appearance at the multi-sport event in Paris but they must overcome the Super Falcons to actualise their quest this time, beginning with a advantage at home in Addis Ababa.
