Addis Ababa, November 04, 2015 (GSN) - Ethiopia qualified for Chan 2016 in style after whitewashing visitors Burundi 3-0 in a one sided match return leg clash played on Sunday in Addis Ababa.
Walia Ibex came into the game needing to score three goals after they were beaten 2-0 last weekend in Bujumbura and they responded with a fine display to qualify for next year’s tourney.
Gatoch Panom was the hero with two goals Walia to the massive victory to qualify for their second Chan after their 2014 debut. Seyoum Tesfaye broke the deadlock with a brilliant header in the 38th minute as he gave Ethiopia the much needed opener.
Ethiopia continued from where they had left off in the second half as their relentless pressure paid off when the referee awarded them a penalty after infringement.
Panom stepped up to calmly slot in the penalty and he completed his brace ten minutes later with another brilliant header to seal victory and passage to Rwanda in January next year. Walia Ibex coach Yohannes Sahle who had been severely criticized after the first leg loss was over the moon after the win.
"It is a great victory that has assured our place in the 2016 Chan in Rwanda. I want to congratulate my players for their relentless effort and great team work despite the fact that most pundits had written us off. I want to also thank the federation and the fans for standing by us its a great moment," Sahle told supersport.com.
