Group (A) favorites Ethiopia turned out the first team to exit the 2022 CECAFA U-17 Cup final after losing both the group stage matches.
What is most surprising is that of World Youngest nation South Sudan and little known Somalia are East African representatives in African nations U-17 Cup final to be held in host nation Algeria.
The shocking part of the story is that of the early elimination of hosts Ethiopia after two successive defeats at the hands of group minnows Somalia followed by a 3-2 defeat by Tanzania on Thursday.
The Ethiopian was considered the group favorite for playing in front of home supporters. But a poor performance from Head Coach Tadios Teklu’s young talents, Somalia managed to secure a 1-0 historic victory in the opening match.
Many expected the side to fare better in the second match against well organized Tanzania. But once again the home side failed to win the decisive match thus kicked out of the tournament with two defeats out of two.
Ethiopia entered the game in search of a win to secure a slot into the semi final. But the diehard Tanzanians managed to the final minutes winning goal to progress to the semi final with 3-2 score line.
Though the responsibility laid on young Coach Tadios and his assistants is considered too heavy to carry out, Ethiopia as a host nation should have at least make it into the cup final.
Poor preparation, the so called age cheat at the time of team selection and failure to drive the players to commitment like the young talents of Somali and Sudan, Ethiopia lost a golden home chance of having a place in a n international fixtures.
To tell the truth I got not the first, not the second but the third best players because of the MRI result” remarked frustration clearly written all over his face Tadios Teklu.