ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian U-23 national Olympic football team finished level at 1-1 with the visiting side Mali on Thursday at the Addis Ababa stadium in the first leg of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifier.
The return leg was scheduled to take place on Sunday but by the request of the Ethiopian Football Federation the schedule is extended for today, Tuesday, in Mali.
The chance of going through to the next round depends on the results of the second leg. A win will give the national side to advance in to the next round, a goalless draw will give advantage to Mali on away goal rule. If the national side settle at 2-2 it will be advantageous for the Ethiopian side based on the away goal rule.
Well, taking part in the Olympics gives for the young players a good advantage if and only if the age limit is respected. In Africa and in particular in Ethiopia the age limit is not respected. That remains a serious problem for long.
The national team coach Abraham Mebratu said that he will do everything possible to get good result in the return leg that will take place today.
Herald March 26/2019
