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CECAFA 2019: Eritrea record biggest win in history, after smashing Djibouti

By Shafic Kiyaga

https://football-256.com/2019/12/13/cec ... -djibouti/

December 13, 2019


Eritrea’s Deyben Hintseab dribbled the ball past Djibouti’s Ali Youssouf during their CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup match at the Lugogo Complex on December 13, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

Eritrea’s biggest winning margin in the country’s history was a 3-1 victory over Somalia a decade ago. But history books were re-written on Friday as they registered their biggest victory, defeating Djibouti 3-0 in their Group A encounter of the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo.

Isayas Abreham gave Eritrea the lead in the first half, before Ali Suleman scored twice in the final half-hour of the game to bring Eritrea to within a point of securing their first semi-final berth in 25 years.

Despite falling to the hosts Uganda in their last game, the Eritreans did showcase a different side to their game. And heading into this one, they needed to dig deeper as Djibouti had also looked equally as impressive coming from a goal down to defeat Burundi 2-1 in their previous game.

The Eritreans didn’t waste time in setting themselves as the better side, dominating possession, but Djibouti was as well not taking this lying down, as they looked as impressive for the small time they were in possession.

It didn’t take long for Eritrea to find the advantage, Isayas Abreham opening the scoring in the 12th minute. Lashing onto a through ball from Ali Suleman, to slot home past Innocent Mbonihaukoye.

Djibouti seemed to have stepped up their performance from then on but was lucky to survive a couple of scares, with Innocent pulling off one superb save after another.

The best of those coming in the 35th minute, as he divided full length to keep out Suleman’s effort with the tips off his fingers.

With all of Eritrea’s dominance in the opening 45 minutes, it was a bit disappointing to their fans that they went into half time with only one goal ahead. To make up for that, the players returned for the second half with branded scarves that they distributed to their fans.

In the second half, the Eritreans were lethal and played with more intent. Both in attack and off the ball.

And its such performance that inspired them to their biggest victory in history, and set them well on course of for their first semi-final appearance since 1994.

Suleman who was arguably the best player on the day, caused all kind of problems for Djibouti, amidst chants of ‘Messi, Messi’ from the Eritrean fans.

In the 65th minute, he doubled Eritrea’s lead, wriggling his way past Djibouti defenders before smashing home. He was at it again with seven minutes to go, robbing the ball from Hamza Abdi, before rifling the ball into the back of the net.

Eritrean now require a single point in their last two group games to qualify as the second-best team in the group, after Uganda already took one spot. While Djibouti will need to win over Uganda on Sunday, and hope Eritrea lose their remaining two games if they are to progress to the semi-finals.

Worse for Djibouti, Best for Eritrea; What they said

Djibouti Head Coach Julien Mette:

This is the worst defeat since I took charge, we have not lost by this margin so today is worse, and we are sorry to our fans. But I think we seemed to have lost our heads because we have quite a young team.

And truthfully the leaders on the team should have done better to guide the younger ones. We had a plan and some players did not respect that plan, but Eritrea was very good today and I prefer to lose against them.

Eritrea Head Coach Alemseghed Efrem Haile:

It was a really important game for us today and we needed to get back on the positive. The onus was on us to attack and get the win. But the boys were very good, they stuck to our tactics and showed tremendous tactical discipline in the attack, in midfield and when we are defending. I have to be very happy with them.

Djibouti XI: Innocent Mbonihaukoye (GK), Mohamed Fouad, Hassan Moussa, Fouad Moussa, AbdoulKader Djama, Mohamed Bourhan (c), Ali Youssouf, Saleh Bourhan, Hamza Abdi, Yabe Abdi, Warsama Hassan.

Subs: Haroun Mohamed, Kassim AbdouRahman, Nasradin Abdi (GK), Fahmi Moussa, Mohamed Salem, Mahdi Houssein

Head Coach: Julien Mette

Eritrea XI: Kibrom Haile (GK), Mubarek Kelifa, Robel Teklemicheal (c), Ali Suleman Ibrahim, Isaya Abreham, Abelom Teklezghi, Abel Solomon, Filmon Gebreyohannes, Eyob Grmay, Robel Kidane, Filmon Semere

Subs: Abdulahi Kelifa (GK), Micheal Habte, Nahom Mehari, Nahom Mekonen, Biniam Adhanom, Yosief Tekleab, Henok Girmay, Deyben Hintseab, Ismael Jahar

Eritrea Head Coach: Alemseghed Efrem Haile

Zmeselo wrote: ↑

14 Dec 2019, 14:23

Stupid denkoro,I love football.

Degnet wrote: ↑

14 Dec 2019, 15:23

Zmeselo wrote: ↑

14 Dec 2019, 14:23

Stupid denkoro,I love football.

Ok, priest of Satan.

Who gives a f@ck who you're, and what you like?

Lol @ fa*gg*ot priest ....Zmeselo.
Ok you fake priest degnet if you love football, can you focus on the topic and say something about Alexander Isak?

Well done Eri boy

Zmeselo wrote: ↑

14 Dec 2019, 14:23