{"id":15850,"date":"2026-11-14T13:32:37","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T13:32:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tewnet.com\/index\/?p=15850"},"modified":"2026-11-14T13:32:37","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T13:32:37","slug":"ethiopia-mozambique-walias-kenean-markneh-afcon-2027-qualifier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tewnet.com\/index\/15850","title":{"rendered":"Ethiopia Beat Mozambique in Maputo as Kenean Markneh (\u12a8\u1290\u12a0\u1295 \u121b\u122d\u12ad\u1290\u1205) Gives the Walias Their First AFCON Qualifying Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kenean Markneh (\u12a8\u1290\u12a0\u1295 \u121b\u122d\u12ad\u1290\u1205) scored three minutes from time as Ethiopia beat Mozambique 1 to 0 in Maputo on Friday, November 13. The win gave the Walias their first points in Group J of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.<\/p>\n

It was not pretty, and nobody in the Ethiopian camp will mind. Mozambique had the ball for most of the afternoon at Zimpeto Stadium. They hit the woodwork twice and kept coming until the end. Ethiopia held on, waited for one chance, and took it.<\/p>\n

A Rebound and an Empty Net<\/h2>\n

The goal came in the 87th minute. Carlos Damtew drove a low shot from the edge of the box. Mozambique goalkeeper Ernani got down to save it, but the ball spilled loose, and Kenean was quickest to it. He knocked it into an empty net.<\/p>\n

It was a big moment for the forward, who plays his club football in Kuwait. He and Gatoch Panom were the only players in this squad based abroad. Kenean had come close in September, when a header of his was saved against Senegal in Bahir Dar<\/a>. This time he did not miss.<\/p>\n

The late push came after changes from the bench. In the last 15 minutes, Anteneh Tefera, Carlos, Biniyam Fikru and Kenean gave the Mozambique defense real trouble for the first time all day.<\/p>\n

\"Ethiopia's
Ethiopia’s players pose for their team photo before the AFCON 2027 qualifier against Mozambique at Zimpeto Stadium in Maputo on November 13, 2026 (Ethiopian Football Federation)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abubaker Keeps the Walias Alive<\/h2>\n

Before that, Ethiopia had to survive. Mozambique had more than three quarters of the ball in the first half. Diogo Calila hit the bar from long range in the 23rd minute, and a strong header from defender Edmilson Dove came back off the post.<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper Abubaker Nura also made a fine save from a Geny Catamo free kick that was heading in. By the end, Mozambique had taken 17 shots to Ethiopia’s 11, but only three of theirs were on target.<\/p>\n

After the break, the hosts kept trying their luck from distance. Coach Yohannes Sahilu had picked a much changed squad for this window, with new faces from the Ethiopian Premier League<\/a>, and the back line stayed calm under the pressure.<\/p>\n

Back in the Race for Group J<\/h2>\n

The win matters a lot. Ethiopia lost their first two group games by a single goal, 1 to 0 to Sudan in Juba on September 25 and 1 to 0 to Senegal in Bahir Dar four days later. The pressure on Yohannes grew after each result.<\/p>\n

Now the Walias have three points, level with Sudan. Senegal lead the group with seven, and Mozambique have four. The top two teams go to the finals, which Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host in 2027.<\/p>\n

There is no time to rest. The two teams meet again on Tuesday, November 17, this time in Bahir Dar. Another win at home would put Ethiopia right in the fight for a place at the finals, and Mozambique will come looking for revenge.<\/p>\n