Senegal beat Ethiopia 1-0 at Bahir Dar Stadium in Bahir Dar, with Ibrahim Mbaye scoring the only goal in a second-round Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The result was settled by a single finish and left Ethiopia chasing an equalizer that never came.
That is why Ethiopia Vs Senegal is drawing attention today: one goal decided the match, and Senegal took the points from a tight away test. Senegal led 1-0 at halftime and never gave that margin back, with Willy Stephane Ngah in charge of the contest.
Mbaye’s goal was enough because Senegal defended the lead after the break and managed the game until the end. Nicolas Jackson had a late chance that Nura saved, while Idrissa Gueye was booked after a late challenge on Bereket Samuel, proof that the match stayed tense even after Senegal moved ahead.
Ethiopia did create openings. Kenean Markneh had a header saved by Diouf, and other efforts from Biniyam Fikru and Gatoch Panom also came and went without a finish. Senegal still found a way to hold firm, even as Ethiopia kept pressing for a response in a scrappy qualifier that never fully opened up.
Senegal’s substitutions, including Abdallah Sima, Pape Gueye, Issa Soumaré, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, Assane Diao, and Idrissa Gana Gueye, helped them protect the edge as the match drifted toward full time. The unanswered question now is not who won, but whether Ethiopia can turn those chances into goals the next time this qualifying run demands one.
