JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Giant-killers
Ethiopia blamed bad refereeing for a weekend
defeat by Nigeria that virtually extinguished
hopes of a first World Cup appearance.
Hoping to become the first nation from the
east of the continent to compete at the global
football showcase, the ‘Waliya Antelopes’
lost 2-1 at home to the ‘Super Eagles’.
The first-leg play-off result leaves Ethiopia
needing to score at least twice in the
November 16 return match to reach the 2014
World Cup in Brazil.
Coach Sewnet Bishaw, credited with a major
role in reviving Ethiopia after three decades
in the doldrums, laid the blame for the Addis
Ababa loss with the Cameroonian referee.
“We lost the game because the referee was
poor,” Bishaw told reporters after the
Antelopes suffered a first home defeat in five
qualifying games.
“We scored a goal that he cancelled and the
referee also did other things that were
questionable.”
Salahdin Ahmed believed his close-range
poke crossed the goal-line midway through
the opening half before Godfrey Oboabona
cleared the ball.
The referee waved play on before a capacity
35,000 crowd and television replays of the
incident were inconclusive.
Bishaw, a stern-faced 61-year-old former
biology teacher who has coached only the
national team, also admitted Ethiopian
shortcomings.
“After taking the lead we thought it would be
easy, but we could not match the pace of the
Nigerians after they equalised.”
The coach conceded that the introduction of
Omod Okwury and Addis Hintsa during the
second half did not have the desired effect.
Ethiopia captain and defender Degu Debebe
blamed the defeat on squandered scoring
chances during the opening half.
“We missed some good chances,” he
conceded, referring to wild shooting by
Girma Adane after slick, short passes created
openings.
Emmanuel Emenike won the match with a
last-minute penalty after earlier cancelling
the lead Behailu Assefa gave Ethiopia soon
after half-time.
Algeria were another team furious at a
refereeing decision after losing 3-2 to
Burkina Faso in a Ouagadougou thriller.
Television replays suggested the home team
should not have been awarded the late
penalty Aristide Bance converted to give the
‘Stallions’ victory.
The Zambian match official awarded the
spot-kick for hand-ball, but Essaid Belkalem
appeared to have his arms behind his back
when the ball struck him on the chest.
“That scandalous decision destabilised our
team — it was one of many unfair calls made
against us,” said unused substitute
Abdelmoumene Djabou.
“We deserved a draw and I want to tell
Burkina Faso that they have no chance when
we meet again next month,” the midfielder
added.
Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi was
happy with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in
Abidjan, but blamed his players for
conceding a goal six minutes into stoppage
time.
“I am disappointed by the attitude of the
players during additional time. I would have
said that we had qualified were it not for the
goal Senegal scored.”
Senegal coach and former France superstar
Alain Giresse blamed a disastrous start that
saw his side trail by two goals after 14
minutes.
“We failed to recover but nothing is lost — we
have the means to fight and qualify. It is not
an impossible task and we will work towards
it.” .
Tunisia were held 0-0 at home by Cameroon
in another play-off and the much-anticipated
first leg between Ghana and Egypt is set for
Kumasi Tuesday.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/ethiopia-blame-ref-world-cup-defeat/

Truth be told I watched that thing pass 5 times and am convinced that he caught the ball immediately after the line,or on the line narrowly







But una won go wold cup at our own expense,no e nor go happen.

phil5: Truth be told I watched that thing pass 5 times and am convinced that he caught the ball immediately after the line,or on the line narrowly







But una won go wold cup at our own expense,no e nor go happen.

tht refree get prblm sha, d officiatin ws poor!

phil5: Truth be told I watched that thing pass 5 times and am convinced that he caught the ball immediately after the line,or on the line narrowly







But una won go wold cup at our own expense,no e nor go happen.

When you watched it 5 times, did you see the ball across the line 5 times. I watched it more than 10 times and I see nothing. Different tv replays could not ascertain whether they are goals or not. Even the linesman that waved his flag for the given goal was not along the goal line to be sure, so I wonder how he saw it. Nobody is too sure my dear. Ethiopia should learn how to hit the ball on the net until they have a goal line technology.