Ethiopia Snatch Last-Gasp Win Over Zimbabwe

Ethiopia needed a late strike from the penalty spot to see off Zimbabwe 1-0 in their 2022 World Cup Group G qualifier on Tuesday afternoon.

Shemeles Bekele looked keen to open the deadlock inside the first 20 minutes from a corner-kick, but his header sailed over the crossbar from close range.

Amanuel Gebremichael missed a big chance from a defensive error ten minutes to halftime to put the host ahead, as he miscued a loose ball and resultantly let the chance slip.

Zimbabwe began to come alive barring the slow spell and missed a big chance to take the lead from the back-post by Perfect Chikwende a little later following Divine Lunga’s cutback.

Although momentum soon returned to the Walia Ibex and had Mesoud Mohamed on the end of a ball in behind the defence, but goalkeeper Talbert Shuma thwarted before Bekele fluffed the follow-up.

Walia Ibex entered the second half keen to revitalise their stall following a slow first half, but a bewildered the Warriors didn’t back down with Abel Tilahun and Ammanuel Gamo introduced.

Zimbabwe could’ve finished off matters late on from a move across the area, but Farai Madhanaga and Ishmael Wadi couldn’t pounce.

Matters however turned in added time after a handball from Alec Mudimu gave Ethiopia a penalty, which Aschalew Tamene converted for the three points.

File Photo