Zambia and Ethiopia Draw, 1-1

21, Jan 2013, Timothy Rapp Bleacher Report

Ethiopia was in the Afcon for the first time in 31 years. Zambia won last year’s tournament. So as you might guess, Zambia came into this contest as slight favorites.

But Ethiopia wasn’t bothered by the odds. Adane Girma would tie this game in the 65th minute at a goal apiece, and that’s how this wild and crazy contest would end.

This game had a little bit of everything, especially in the first half. Zambia pressed high up the pitch and put pressure on the Ethiopian back four, who looked shaky early on. Ethiopia’s Saladin Seid just missed putting home a lob over the keeper then missed a penalty kick.

And then there was Ethiopian keeper Jemal Tassew, who was given a red card while he was being taken off the field on a stretcher after he collided with Chisamba Lungu nearly 40 yards from goal, as Lungu was free behind the defense.

Then in first-half stoppage time, Zambia’s Collins Mbesuma would finally give the favorites the lead. Zambia would go into the second half up a goal and a man. It was a first half that had everything—a fast pace, questionable defending and plenty of cards to go around.

Girma’s goal in the 65th minute would even the score, if not the playing field. But that would be the last of the goal-scoring. Give Ethiopia a lot of credit here—they generally looked the better side, and overcame playing a man down and a lot history to earn the draw