Mamelodi Sundowns’ red-hot striker Abubeker Nasir has saluted Ethiopian national football team for qualifying for the CHAN finals over the weekend.
Nasir sent the congratulatory message after the Walias beat Rwanda 1-0 in a final round second leg match to sail through to the 2023 Algeria finals.
“I’m much glad to see you qualified for CAN2023, Algeria. You need [to be] proud of yourself cause it’s the collective effort of the coaching staff and players. Congratulations again,” the 21-year-old said.
Dawa Hottesa scored the lone goal of the game in the 22nd minute from an excellent free-kick to torch celebrations in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia will make their third appearance at the CHAN finals scheduled to run from January 8 to 31 in Algeria.
It is the first time the Walias are returning to the continental competition since 2016.
In a post-match interview, Hottesa said: “I dedicate this win to the Ethiopian people and my family.”
It is not surprising that Nasir has been quick to acknowledge the achievement of Ethiopia. The forward was, until months ago, part of the Ethiopia squad that has qualified for the finals but was rendered ineligible after signing for Sundowns.
This is the case because CHAN is a competition exclusive to home-based players.
The forward used to play for Ethiopia’s CHAN squad while on the books of Ethiopia Coffee FC.
Nasir has taken South African football by storm after scoring his third goal for Sundowns in the 2-1 loss to rivals SuperSport United on Friday.
He has since tweeted that Sundowns would bounce back after the second loss in six DStv Premiership matches this season.
The Ethiopian also scored when Sundowns beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-0, then in the 2-0 win over SuperSport in the MTN8 quarterfinal match played last week.
Nasir is also an established player for the senior national team, which he represented at the delayed 2021 AFCON held in Cameroon between January and February this year.
He also scored in June this year when Ethiopia stunned Egypt 2-0 in a qualifying match for the 2023 AFCON.
