Ethiopian torch bearers in the CAF second tier club competition, Wolaitta Dicha, will be facing five times African champions Zamalek in Cairo on Sunday, March 18. The Bees of Tona as they are nicknamed took a 2-1 lead over the White Knights from the first leg in Hawassa a week ago.
Wolaitta Dicha pulled off one of the biggest upset in the continents club football tourney when they defeated Zamalek 2-1 courtesy goals from Bezabeh Meleyo and Yared Dawit. The win ensured Ethiopian clubs intact home record against the Egyptian giants.
Prior to the team’s departure to Sodo on late hours of Thursday night head trainer Zenebe Fisseha told Soccer Ethiopia that a defensive approach on the game has no room at Dicha when they tackle Zamalek. “I personally don’t want to come up with a defensive approach. A defensive tactic will not bear fruit to us. Not only in Egypt but everywhere we play I want us to attack not to sit back and defend. If we seek to defend from the start, we shall not come here.”
While many Ethiopian sides that fared against North African side opted for a much defensive football which eventually ended with a huge battering, Zenebe believes his charges are well prepared for the daunting task of eliminating Zamalek. “We worked based on Zamalek’s recent home performance. I focused on works that can limit the threats posed by Zamalek’s offensive line likewise we want to replicate what we have done in Hawassa,” said Zenebe.
Zamalek coach Ehab Galal told Egyptian Medias that the first leg result is acceptable as quoted by CAFonline.com. “Looking at the circumstances, I believe the first leg result is a good one for us. We were the better side in the second half and missed many chances. Dicha had one chance and they scored the winner via that opportunity.”
“When you play on a pitch like that and with the heavy rain conditions, you can make mistakes. Dicha had their enthusiastic supporters behind them too, and a number of my players are playing in continental game for the first time,” the former Misr El Makassa boss further noted.
Wolaitta Dicha came to this game on the back of a deserved home victory over Woldia SC on week 15 of the Ethiopian Premier League. The Sodo club will not be getting the services of Dagim Bekele, Tsegaye Birhanu and Ereqyehun Tesfaye who are out due to injury. Bezabeh and Haymanot Worku are fit enough to start the match.
The game was initially planned to take place in Suez Army Stadium, 140 KM’s away from the capital Cairo. Nonetheless, Zamalek has decided to move the game back to Cairo as Al Salam Stadium will be hosting the duel.
Although Ethiopian sides have beaten Zamalek in three occasions, none of them managed to knock out the White Knights from the any of CAF’s club competition. Wolaitta Dicha set sight to be the first Ethiopian outfit to achieve the fit.
