One of Cameroon Indomitable Lions’ Group A opponents in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Ethiopia, have arrived Cameroon weeks to the start of the competition.
The team landed at the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport at about 1:45pm on Sunday December 26, 2021 via the Ethiopian Airline hours after departure from the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport earlier in the day.
The Ethiopians travelled to Cameroon with a 28-man squad after the country’s football federation, summoned three players to integrate the 25-man-squad initially selected for the continental showpiece
The team left Addis Ababa after a farewell ceremony organized by the Ethiopian football federation and the country’s Ministry of Sports and Culture.
The delegation equally carried out Covid-19 tests as demanded by the tournament regulations to ensure safety, before departure after having also received blessings from religious authorities and Ethiopian mothers.
Sunday’s arrival makes the East Africans the first participating country to jet into Cameroon for the forthcoming tournament.
The Captain Shimelis Bekele and mates will be spending two weeks in Cameroon to prepare with the outfit expected to receive huge financial backing from the Ethiopia government the country having promised to give the team the most suitable conditions to prepare and participate in the 2021 AFCON.
Ethiopia managed by Coach Wubetu Abate, will be making its debut in the Africa Cup of Nations since its last appearance in South Africa in 2013.
The team is lodged in Pool A of the 2021 event in Cameroon.
The 1962 champions will be locking horns with five time holders and host Cameroon, 2013 finalists Burkina Faso and 2015 debutants and quarterfinalists, Cape Verde Islands.
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament will take place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022.
A total of 24 nations will be competing in six groups to replace current holders Algeria who will also be in to defend their 2019 crown.
Source: Kick442.com