Qualifying campaign: Ethiopia managed to reach the CAN for the first time since 1982 after overcoming the more fancied Benin and Sudan, with both wins coming on the away goal rule. Ethiopia drew 0-0 at home to Benin before scoring a precious away goal for a 1-1 draw in the away fixture to set up a game against Sudan, which was a thrilling two-legged affair. Sudan won the first leg 5-3 at home but Ethiopia roared back in the second, scoring two late goals to claim a 2-0 victory and qualify for the CAN. History: Ethiopia, who made nine CAN appearances, won the tournament's third edition in 1962 on home soil. They had never appeared at the World Cup. Expectations: Ethiopia are in the finals for the first time in more than 30 years and will be a unknown quantity. Dominated by home-based players and lacking experience at this level of competition, they are expected to struggle, even if they have managed a major improvement in form. They will draw heart from the fact that their last game in South Africa in June was a 1-1 draw with their hosts in World Cup qualifying. FIFA ranking: 110 (31 in Africa). Achievements: CAN winners in 1962 Coach: Sewnet Bishaw (Ethiopia) Sewnet Bishaw will be among seven local coaches in charge of their national teams at the 2013 finals. The 60-year-old worked briefly as a club coach at Al Ahli Sanaa in Yemen but has spent most of his coaching career at a variety of Ethiopia's top clubs and has had two separate spells in charge of the national team. Key players: Saladin Seid (Wadi Degla). Age: 24. Pos: Forward Author of vital goals for Ethiopia over the last year in both African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying. He was top scorer in the Ethiopia league in 2008 and 2009 and moved for a country record transfer fee of 240,000 dollars to Egypt in 2011 after failing in trials at Serbian club Partizan Belgrade. Adane Girma (St George). Age: 27 Pos: Midfielder Player who is the pulse of the side, running the game from midfield but frequently pushing forward to get himself into good attacking positions. In 2011 he was top scorer in the Ethiopian league and was named the best player. He has won four league titles with St George over the last six years. Yussuf Saleh (Syrianska). Age: 28 Pos: Winger. Swedish-born winger recently plucked from the diaspora as Ethiopia went in search of players with links to their country to strengthen their side. Played previously at AIK Solna and had a brief spell in the Spanish second division. Full squad: Goalkeepers: 22- Jemal Tassew (Coffee FC), 1- Sisay Bancha (Dedebit), 23- Zerihun Tadelle (Saint George) Defenders: 2- Degu Debebe (Saint George), 12- Biyadglign Eliase (Saint George), 4- Abebaw Butako (Saint George), 6- Alula Girma (Saint George), 17- Seyum Tesfaye (Dedebit), 10- Birhanu Bogale (Dedebit), 5- Aynalem Hailu (Dedebit) Midfielders: 8- Asrat Megersa (EEPCO), 21- Addis Hintsa (Dedebit), 3- Yared Zinabu (Saint George), 18- Shimelese Bekele (Saint George), 20- Behailu Asefa (Dedebit), 14- Minyahel Teshome (Dedebit), 15- Dawit Estifanose (Coffee FC), 16- Yussuf Saleh (Syrianska) Forwards: 7- Saladin Seid (Wadi Degla), 19- Adane Girma (Saint George), 11- Umed Ukuri (Saint George), 9- Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit), 13- Fuad Ibrahim (Minnesota Stars) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/62109.aspx
