Two nations hoping to keep their dreams of making it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations alive will go head-to-head when Ethiopia host Tanzania at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote.
The hosts are bottom of the group with one point from four matches, while the visitors are in third place with four points from the same number of matches.
Match preview
© Imago
Ethiopia have failed to get off to a good start in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after four matches, having lost all three matches since their goalless draw with Tanzania in the opening game of the qualifying series.
A 2-0 loss to Congo DR in their second game was followed by humbling 4-1 and 3-0 defeats against Guinea in the double-header last month.
Ethiopia's quest for an 11th AFCON appearance hangs by a thread, as they must now win their last two matches against Tanzania and Congo DR, while hoping that other results go their way.
It feels like a long shot for Gebremedhin Haile's men who have now failed to taste victory in any of their most recent nine competitive matches, claiming four draws and losing five.
However, they will fancy their chances against Saturday's opposition whom they have never lost to, picking up two draws and wins each in their previous four meetings, though one of those wins came via penalties in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
Tanzania started the qualification campaign on a positive note with a draw against Ethiopia and a win over Guinea, but things took a turn when they lost both legs of last month's double-header against Congo DR.
Prior to last month's losses, the Taifa Stars were on a five-match unbeaten streak which included three wins and two draws, and Hemed Suleiman would hope that his side can rediscover such form to help them reach the AFCON.
Tanzania must pick up a first-ever win against Ethiopia while hoping that Congo DR picks up a win against Guinea, which could leave Suleiman's side in pole position heading into their final game.
The visitors won four matches and drew one on the road prior to losing their last two away matches, a run they must now end to improve their chances of making it to Morocco next year.
Team News
Kenean Markneh has scored Ethiopia's only goal in the AFCON qualifying series so far, but he will be missing this month's matches.
Twenty-eight-year-old forward Abel Yalew is also sidelined, leaving Chernet Gugsa as the man to watch in the hosts' attack.
Azam FC's Feisal Salum and Young Africans midfielder Mudathiri Yahya are the two players who have found the net for Tanzania, and they will hope to replicate this on Saturday.
However, first-choice goalkeeper Ally Salim is also not part of the squad, leaving Zuberi Foba with an opportunity to be in goal for the first time during these qualifiers.
Ethiopia possible starting lineup:
Habtamu; Hamid, James, Kasa, Berhane; Panom, Demissiex Dagnachew; Gugsa, Nasir, Tafesse
Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Foba; Husseini, Bacca, Job, Mwaikenda; Yahya, Salum, Bitegeko; Kibu, Samatta, Mzize
We say: Ethiopia 1-1 Tanzania
While Ethiopia have enjoyed the better of this fixture, Tanzania head into the game having been the better side in qualifying, but we believe that the hosts will do just enough to get something from this fixture, which is why we are predicting a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
