AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: Spirited Seychelles Hold Ethiopia to a Draw
Seychelles may not be a powerhouse in African football, but the Pirates delivered a spirited performance on Saturday to earn a surprise 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in Group J of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Playing at home at the Linité Stadium, the hosts stunned the visitors by taking the lead in the 24th minute through a Nelson Laurence penalty. The underdogs looked poised for a historic upset, showing greater discipline and determination than in their opening 4-0 defeat to Algeria.
However, Ethiopia, who were coming off a 1-0 win over Lesotho, found a way back into the match early in the second half. Defender Seyoum Tesfaye scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute, salvaging a point for the Walias.
The result is a boost for Algeria, who could now take sole control of Group J with a win over Lesotho on Sunday in Maseru. For Seychelles, it’s a confidence-boosting result that signals their growing competitiveness on the continental stage.
