Fikru: Bafana no threat to us

Ethiopian striker Fikru Tefera  says that South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup will end soon

Ethiopian striker Fikru Tefera Lemessa says that South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup finals will come crashing down this weekend when the two Group A leaders face up against each other in Addis Ababa.

Fikru – who plays for Free State Stars – says there is absolutely no way Bafana will win in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia lead Group A with 10 points – two ahead of Bafana – and will go into this weekend’s match with the comfort of knowing that even a draw will suit them while their opponents desperately need victory to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
Bafana will then finish off the campaign against whipping boys Botswana while Ethiopia will face off against Central African Republic who are also already out of contention.
“South Africa is not going anywhere. Actually they must just forget about the World Cup because there is absolutely no way that they will win against us at home.
“We will beat them and go on to massacre CAR in our last game to finish as the group leaders. Actually we want to finish off this group this weekend by beating Bafana,” says Fikru in an aggressive manner.
Ethiopia have won three and drawn one in their four group games to date – that one draw coming against Bafana in Rustenburg a year ago in a match that led to Pitso Mosimane losing his job.
“There is absolutely no way that Bafana can beat us at home. We haven’t lost in this group and there is no way that we can lose our first game at home.
“For us all our home games are a must win and remember we are not weak like this CAR that Bafana beat this past weekend. To be honest, Bafana is not a threat to us at all because what we know is that their strength is in hosting tournaments.
“They played in the last World Cup and the last Afcon Finals because they didn’t need to qualify but now that they have to play in qualifiers they will not make it. I can even place a bet at any time with anyone that Bafana will not win this group. We are in control of this group.
“My advice for the Bafana players is that they must just start thinking about the start of the next League season because they are just wasting their time going to Addis Ababa. In Addis Ababa we beat teams,” says Fikru.
Fikru is not part of the current Ethiopian team due to injury and the fact that he fell out with head coach Sewnet Bishaw but will still be travelling from his base in Johannesburg to Addis Ababa this weekend to give support to his fellow countryman.