Ethiopia vs Sierra Leone Match Analysis and Prediction

Ethiopia vs Sierra Leone Match Analysis & Prediction

Ethiopia

15/11/2023 10:00 pm

Sierra Leone

by Vincent

2 weeks ago 0 70

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone get the ball rolling in Group A of the CAF World Cup qualifiers when they meet at the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi on Wednesday.

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Best Odds: 1.42

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Following their forgattable AFCON qualification campaigns, both teams will head into the group opener looking to begin their quest for a World Cup debut in 2026 on a winning note.

Ethiopia wrapped up another disappointing 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign on September 8 when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to seven-time African champions Egypt.

Pyramids FC winger Mostafa Fathy grabbed the headlines at the 30 June Stadium as he scored the only goal of the game in the 37th minute to hand the Pharaohs all three points.

Prior to that, a brace from Shimelis Bekele inspired Ethiopia to a 2-0 friendly victory over Guyana on August 3, a result which brought their six-game winless run across all competitions to an end.

However, September’s defeat to Egypt meant the Wali Ibex ended the AFCON qualifiers without a win in their final four matches, a run which saw them finish rooted to the bottom of Group D with four points from six games.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone returned to winning ways last time out as they beat Somalia 2-0 when the teams met in a friendly game at the Stade Municipal de Berrechid on October 17.

That followed a 1-1 draw with Benin on October 14, when Denmark-based striker Mohamed Buya Turay opened the scoring before Angers defender Cedric Hountondji scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to force a share of the spoils.

John Keister’s side won just one of their six matches in their bid for a spot in Ivory Coast – a 2-0 victory over rank outsiders Sao Tome and Principe on March 26 – while losing three and picking up two draws.

Ethiopia vs. Sierra Leone Head to head

These two teams have only previously met once in a friendly, playing out a goalless draw.

26/08/2021

Ethiopia

0

Sierra Leone

0

Friendlies
15/11/2023

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
15/11/2023

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
15/11/2023

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
15/11/2023

Ethiopia

N/A

Sierra Leone

N/A

CAF World Cup Qualifiers

Ethiopia Team News

Newly-appointed manager Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad for the qualifying games against Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso, with Bekele, Seid Habtamu and Kenean Markneh headlining the team.

After coming on against Egypt last time out, Bekele now has 81 senior caps under his belt, and the 33-year-old – who is Ethiopia’s most-capped player – should come into the XI on Wednesday.

Ethiopia's Last 5 Matches

24/03/2023

Guinea

2

Ethiopia

0

AFCON Qualification
27/03/2023

Ethiopia

2

Guinea

3

AFCON Qualification
20/06/2023

Ethiopia

0

Malawi

0

AFCON Qualification
03/08/2023

Ethiopia

2

Guyana

0

Friendlies
08/09/2023

Egypt

1

Ethiopia

0

AFCON Qualification

Sierra Leone Team News

Sierra Leone have called up 24 players for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, including the likes of goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara, defender Emmanuel Samadiya and striker Mohamed Buya Turay.

Saidu Fofanah, who has one goal in 11 senior caps for the Leone Stars, should retain his role at midfield, alongside Velez man Alusine Koroma and 24-year-old Abu Dumbuya.