It was an eventful match where most of the actions went against of Ethiopia who was playing their first AFCON match after a gap of 31 years, yet they manage to restrict defending champion Zambia to a 1-1 draw. With this match, all Group C teams have played their first match, and more interestingly, each of them has an equal number of points. Overall, the performance of Ethiopia was much better than expected winner considering the loss of their goalie after he was red carded for a wild chest-high tackle. Moreover, Addis Ababa club also missed a penalty midway when Saladin Seid’s impeded shot was gleefully punched back by Zambia goalie Mweene depriving Ethiopia one goal. Though, Chipolopolo gained the lead right in the 24th minute when Emmanuel Emineke’s fast reaction deceived defender in taking a clever flick from Brown Ideye, but none of the Nigerian could enhance their one goal lead thereafter. Defending champion’s dreams were further shattered when Burkina Faso equalized the lead with his last kick of the game.
Betting odds were also in favor of Zambia; perhaps every bookie was offering more than 5 to 1 odds for the match. Even during the match, odds were in favor of defending champions, but last few moments went against of it and match ended in a draw. The thrilling match was enjoyed by more than 44000 spectators in jack packed Mbombela Stadium here in South Africa.
In an alluring event also happened back in Zambia when their country president offered them a cash bonus if they reach into the final, and four and a half time more of they win the title. President Michael Sata himself visited at the training camp in Nelspruit and boosted the moral of his team along with offering them a goodwill massage. He said, “I have never doubted your passion for the game, courage to overcome and desire to be champions. I know your determination to win and I believe in your abilities.”
Quantifying the cash bonus, a Zambia Daily Mail reported if defending champions reach into the final, each player will get $20000, and if they bring back the trophy home, each of them will get a $90000 cash bonus, as promised by president. Despite having a cold start in the series, Levy Christopher Katongo’s team is confident to show more enthusiastic performance when they meet with other group teams: Nigeria and Burkina Faso.