TPLF inspired national anthem heckled by Ethiopians.
The Horn Times News Letter –
By Getahune Bekele –Rustenburg, South Africa
More than one thousand flag-waving Ethiopians used the June 3 world cup qualifying soccer match against South Africa at Royal Bofokeng stadium to express their anger towards the brutal iron hand rule of PM Meles Zenawi.
The drama started during the rendition of the national anthem as the vociferous and enthusiastic Ethiopian crowed heckled and jeered the TPLF inspired anthem and loudly sang the patriotic “Ethiopia yegna Memekia.” Much to the confusion of the players.
The Ethiopians then turned their attention towards the less than 30 TPLF cadres who were waving the TPLF flag and the South African security personnel watched in amazement as the marauding anti Zenawi crowed confiscated the flag.
As the match got under way, the TPLF cadres cut a lone figure at the eastern stand of the magnificent world cup stadium.
The match was as dramatic
Spurred on by the patriotic crowed, the Ethiopian national team players dished out one of the most amazing displays of one touch soccer in a very long time.
Playing as a lone striker, the diminutive and tigerish Saladin Said showed his more illustrious South African internationals how soccer should be played.
On the 27th minute of the first half, Saladin dispossessed Getafe defender Shepo Masilela, turned Totenham Hotspur defender Bongani Kumalo inside out, and hit a screamer past the hapless Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Kune
Saladin then run straight to the Ethiopian crowed and celebrated his breath-taking goal in traditional Ethiopian folk dance.
After the goal, Bafana pushed hard for the equalizer but the Ethiopian defense Marshaled by Tafese Tsegaye stood firm.
Young goalkeeper Sisaye Bassa also pulled off some great saves to frustrate the South Africans.
Although Bafana had equalized in the second half, at the final whistle, the South African players were seen rolling on the ground in agony as the Ethiopian national team players celebrated with the anti Zenawi refugees.