Ethopia Suffer Salahdin Setback for Algeria Clash

Ethiopia’s preparation for the AFCON 2017 Group J double-header against Algeria suffered a serious setback after forward Salahdin Said turned down the call-up.


The 27-year-old who joined local giants St. George after terminating his contract with Algerian side, MC Alger last January, claims he is mentally not ready to play for the Walias after being without competitive action in almost two months.

Salahdin last featured for the Walias during the opening game of the qualifiers against Lesotho at home last June, scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory.

The unavailability of the experienced forward will serve a big blow to Ethiopia coach Yohanes Sahle after captain Seyoum Tesfaye and forward Tafese Tesfaye also withdrew from the provisional 24-man squad due to injuries.

Sahle has since extended an invitation to Ethiopian Coffee defender Abdulkerim Mohammed as replacement for the injured captain Tesfaye.

The Walias travel to Blida for the Day Three Group J clash on Friday, 25 March 2016 before hosting the return four days later in Addis Ababa.

Algeria sits at the summit of the group with the maximum six points from two games, two points richer than Ethiopia. Seychelles and Lesotho follow in that order with a point and no point.





Source: Cafonline