Last weekend, Ethiopian football  were four minutes away from celebrating a famous victory, but Eagles’ captain Joseph Yobo popped up to head home from a John Obi Mikel cross and that leveled the crucial African Nations Cup qualifier at 2-2.

Ethiopians were expecting new coach Tom Saintfiet, to turn the tide against the Eagles and then book a place for the 2012 Nations Cup. But the draw in Addis Ababa left the Walya Antelopes on the verge of missing another Nation Cup.

Tens of thousands of supporters were in and around the stadium to show their support for the Walya Antelopes. But the final score, after an emotionally charged  game left many disappointed.

“It is really a disappointing result. We didn’t expect it. Now, we are about to miss the qualifiers for the CAF,” Behailu Tesema, a Walya Antelope fan, lamented after the match.

Tom Saintfiet had only ten days to get acquainted with his new team, the Walaya Antelopes, after Iffy Onuora’s departure as head coach, well before the end of his contract.

After a 4-1 win over Madagascar, who remain at the bottom, Guinea is now on top of Group B with 10 points. Nigeria is in second place with 7 points.
On their part, the Eagles are not making any excuses for their lack luster outing.
“As a team we did not play well, and we gave away two sloppy goals, but we cant make excuses. It doesn’t matter what happens, when we get on the pitch we have to give our best, but today, our best was not good enough,” said team captain Yobo.
He however, expressed relief at the result stressing that a loss could have been more devastating for the Eagles.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama said that the team was not just at its best: “ Our team did not create any scoring chances, but we gave them two goals. But we can’t make excuses. The game is over; we have to look forward to the next one and correct our mistakes.”
Coach Samson Siasia agreed with his players: “We didn’t play like we were supposed to. We made too many mistakes.”
Despite first-half dominance from Ethiopia — under Belgian coach Tom Santfiet for the first time — Ikechukwu Uche put Nigeria ahead in the 26th minute.
Nigeria will be away to Madagascar in the first week of September. While the final qualifier game against Guinea comes second week of October.