Analysis
Ethiopia made a dream start to the competition by holding African champions Zambia to a 1-1 draw despite the sending off of their first-choice goalkeeper Jemal Tassew. The Afrocentric side, coached by ex-CECAFA Cup winner Sewnet Bishaw, went into their second AFCON 2013 fixture with huge backing from the seduced public.
However, a slick attacking Burkina Faso side gunned down the Black Lions with no mercy. Four goals without reply now see Ethiopia’s fate hanging in the balance. The former African titans need a miracle but so do Stephen Keshi’s Nigerians.
The poor state of the Mbombela Stadium’s pitch appeared as an embarrassment for the Super Eagles against the Chipolopolo. That rather boring match ended 1-1 as Zambia’Mweene cut Nigeria’s points through a controversial spot kick.
Tuesday’s battle against Ethiopia will take place at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium and Group C’s permutations – due to the head-to-head rule – explain that both teams would crash out of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations if Zambia defeat Burkina Faso in the day’s other fixture.
Ethiopia’s most recent match stats (4-0 loss against Burkina Faso)
Ball possession: 60 per cent; Corners: 2; Shots on target: 5; Shots wide: 11; Fouls: 16; Offsides: 1
Nigeria’s most recent match stats (1-1 draw against Zambia)
Ball possession: 56 per cent; Corners: 3; Shots on target: 5; Shots wide: 1; Fouls: 15; Offsides: 1
Table
| AFRICA CUP: GROUP C 2014 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burkina Faso | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 4 | |
| 2 |  |
Zambia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 2 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 2 | |
| 4 |  |
Ethiopia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
Prediction
Ethiopia 1-2 Nigeria
