AFCON 2013 takes place in South Africa from 19 January – 10 February 2013. (SABC)
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There's jubilation on the streets of Addis Ababa after Ethiopia qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals which South Africa will host.
The Walya Antelopes won 2-0 against the Nile Crocodiles of Sudan in the second-leg of their final qualifier for the tournament. Ethiopians went into the match without their first-choice goalkeeper Sisay Bancha and defender Abebaw Butako who were sent off in the first-leg in Khartoum last month where they lost three-five against Sudan.
Ethiopia are making their first Nations Cup appearance since 1982.
Meanwhile, the Cape Verde Islands will compete at the African Nations Cup finals for the first time next year after yesterday's sensational elimination of Cameroon.
They are the surprise package in a mostly familiar cast for the 16 team tournament as eight countries qualified to complete the line-up for the finals in South Africa in January.
Niger substitute Issoufou Boubacar Garba netted five minutes from the end to give his country a 2-1 aggregate triumph over Guinea
The Cape Verde, a Portuguese-speaking island archipelago off the west coast of Africa, has a population of some 500 000 but managed to edge four-time winners Cameroon 3-2 on aggregate, successfully holding on to their first-leg lead against one of African soccer's super powers.
Cameroon won 2-1 in Yaounde yesterday with a stoppage-time goal from 16-year-old Fabrice Olinga but were more than matched by their under-rated opponents, who had a surprise 2-0 win in last month's first leg.
Two goals in three minutes from Alula Girma and Sahaleddine Said just after the hour mark meant Ethiopia beat Sudan 2-0 in Addis Ababa to qualify for the first time in three decades on the away goals rule.
Niger substitute Issoufou Boubacar Garba netted five minutes from the end to give his country a 2-1 aggregate triumph over Guinea. - Additional reporting by Reuters
