Africa Cup of Nations: Ethiopia name squad

Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw has included Swedish-born midfielder Yusuf Salah, 28, in his final squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah, on loan with Swedish top-flight side Syrianska, is one of three foreign-based players in the squad.

Saladin Said, who plays for Egypt’s Wadi Degla, and United States-based winger Fuad Ibrahim are also included.

Said is set to be Ethiopia’s danger man, having scored key goals in Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers last year.

Meanwhile, Salah forced his way into the squad after being trialled at November’s East and Central African Cecafa Challenge Cup.

Bishaw’s 23-man selection is mainly composed of players from two clubs in Ethiopia: with nine coming from 2012 champions Saint George and eight from league runners-up Dedebit.

Ethiopia qualified for the Nations Cup after going through on away goals following their 5-5 aggregate draw with East African rivals Sudan.

A founder member of the Confederation of African Football, Ethiopia contested the very first Nations Cup in 1957, won the tournament in 1962 but had failed to qualify for the finals since 1982 – until last year.

They will contest Group C in South Africa, taking on Burkina Faso, Nigeria and reigning African champions Zambia in a tournament which starts on 19 January.