#AFCONQ: Kenya held to a goalless draw by Ethiopia

The Harambee Stars of Kenya were held to a goalless draw by Ethiopia at the Bahir Dar National Stadium on Wednesday in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

They face each other again in the fourth round of their 2019 Afcon qualifiers in Kenya on October 14.

The Wallias saw more of the ball early on but struggled to break down the Kenyan defence and consequently, they had to shoot from long range with very little effect.

Getaneh Kebede, who scored against Sierra Leone probably came closest to break the deadlock midway through the first half, but the Ethiopian attacker saw his long-range effort skim the wrong side of the post.

Kenya played well as the half went on and started creating some scoring opportunities of their own but like the home opposition, their shooting was woeful.

Their best chance fell to Victor Wanyama five minutes before the break, but the Kenyan defensive midfielder saw his rather 20-yard timid shot well-saved by the keeper.

The second half saw Ethiopia pushing more players forward, but similar to the first half they were thwarted by a well-organised Kenyan defence.

In the end, neither team could find a goal as the match ended 0-0.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Ghana was called off after the country’s FA failed to get a FIFA suspension lifted.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to comment on whether Ghana will be awarded a win for Thursday’s match or if Sierra Leone will be allowed to continue in the Nations Cup qualifying competition if and when they are reinstated by FIFA.

Squads

Ethiopia: Asefa, Mohamed, Tamene, Tesfaye, Ahmed, Panom, Bekele, Dawa (Yalew 87’), Demte (Okwury 66’), Mesfen (Maleko 82’), Kebede.

Kenya: Matasi, Mohammed, M Onyango, Khamis (O Otieno 55’), Omondi (Athuman 46’), Wanyama, Odhiambo, Otieno, Kahata (Were 74’), Olunga, Ochieng.