CHAN 2016: Walia Ibex seek come back against Indomitable Lions

Cameroon will face Ethiopia in Butare on Thursday, in their 2016 African Nations Championship second Group B outing.

For Ethiopia's Walia Ibex, the game provides a huge challenge after succumbing to a 3-0 loss at the hands of DR Congo in their Group B opener.

To them, they cannot afford to lose again lest they book an early ticket back home considering Cameroon's Indomitable Lions who won their opener beating Angola 1-0 to go Joint top of the table with DR Congo.

This was after getting their Rwandan journey off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Angola, the Indomitable Lions will be looking to keep their momentum going and achieve their first objective of qualifying for the knockout stage.

It is indeed a tough assignment for Ethiopia as acknowledged by coach Yohannes Sahle who, despite the odds going against his team, has stuck to his guns urging his players on while hoping for better tidings.

“I know we have a tough game in our hands against Cameroon but again let's remember this is football and what happens in the 90 minutes counts at the end.

We had a bad start but we went back to the drawing board and carefully analyzed our mistakes taking note of where we went wrong.”

“I have told my players they have a chance to redeem themselves as long as they don’t show Cameroon too much respect like they did against DR Congo. As a coach, I wouldn’t panic looking at our opponents as I want the game to be decided on the pitch and that is the focus my players have,” Sahle told supersport.com

Cameroon somehow lucky to escape with the three points against the Palancas Negras, playing the last 20 minutes of the match with 10 men, skipper Hugo Nyame and his teammates will have to raise their game against a wounded Ethiopian side.

Coach Martin Ntdoungou Mpile believes they have what it takes to go past Ethiopia if at all his players follow his instructions in what he describes as a must win.

“We have to beat Ethiopia to avoid last minute pressure that is not to say we disrespect them but in this kind of tournament winning your first two games in important if at all you harbour any hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals.Ethiopia is a very technical side but we can promise them a good game and I have told my players we want nothing short of a win tomorrow,” Mpile told supersport.com.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will be looking for their second victory when they face Ethiopia in their second group stage match of the CHAN 2016.

In case they win and DR Congo defeat Angola, Cameroon will book their ticket to the knockout stage.

The clash will kick off at Huye Stadium at 18h00 CAT on Thursday, with DR Congo to take on Angola in the other Group B fixture at 15h00 CAT.