Onoura regrets mum’s absence to cheer him against Eagles

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Friday, March 25th, 2011

The Ethiopian national team coach, Iffy Onoura has waved off the Super Eagles as a threat to his ambition to pick the ticket to the 2012 African Cup of Nations finals just as he expressed satisfaction with the performance of the team he took over last July.

The Nigerian-born Chief Coach of the Walias of Ethiopia also plans to eclipse Taye Taiwo with the injection of Oumed Oukri in the team in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday

Iffy Onoura

Onuora, who had his first feel of the Abuja National Stadium practice pitch with his players Thursday, said he regretted missing his late mother that would have come to cheer him to victory over the Super Eagles.

He was however optimistic of amassing points to take the Walias to the 2012 Africa Nations Cup as he said his star-studded squad would give him the required three points to move towards realising his dream.

Among his players is Fikru Teffera he imported from South Africa’s SuperSports United, the only foreign-based pro in his team.

Thinking beyond the African Cup of Nations qualifier, the Nigerian-born coach has however stressed the need of support from all to realise his target.

He noted that efforts should come from all parties involved including players, coaches as well as the federation if the East African soccer standard is to improve and break Fifa’s top 100 ranking.

He said he was impressed by the technical abilities of most Ethiopian players but noted that their physical condition seems to be neglected.

Coach Onuora talked about several issues including his hope to take the Walias to the 2012 Africa Nations Cup, and the need of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) to arrange friendly fixtures in the UK and Africa to prepare the national side and the recruitment of Ethiopian professionals from abroad.

Ethiopia plots to cage Taye Taiwo

Nigerian-born Chief Coach of the Walias of thiopia plans to eclipse Taye Taiwo with the injection of Oumed Oukri in the team in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

Onuora, who took his players out for a feel of the Abuja National Stadium turf Thursday evening, said the Eagles’ defence would not pose any threat to his strikers.

It was understood that the Ethiopian coach from Anambra state has planned to unleash rampaging Oumed, who was selected from the Defence Force, on the wing to test Taiwo just as Fikru Tefera is expected to join in the fortification of the Walias’ forward.

“If you asked me a year ago, I would guess Nigeria would destroy us 5-0 but now. Ethiopia are slowly showing some good form, beautiful passing play, and scoring fantastic highlight goals.

We haven’t played like this in a few decades. Even when we won the 2001 CECAFA Cup we didn’t play impressive style, mostly Inter Milan style defending. Iffy has improved the standard of the players.

“It’s time for Ethiopia to strike”, Isaac Meles, an Ethiopian football enthusiast whispered in a chat.He also stated that Onuora is really working on the players including Tesfaye Alebachew, who scored against Zambia in the CECAFE Cup.

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