Ethiopia promises bonuses to players

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia’s players have been promised more than $100,000 each if they win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.The Waliya Antelopes - who are ranked 110th in the world - won the tournament in 1962 but last qualified in 1982.The country’s federation has said it will pay each player $111,000 to win the trophy and $55,000 to reach the final.Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw and his assistant would also be rewarded with “significantly higher prize money.”Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) president Sahilu Gebremariam said the bonus offers were “intended to boost the morale of the team.”The Ethiopians 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 (Caf), they contested the first Nations Cup in 1957.They face champions Zambia in their opening Group C game on 21 January, with Burkina Faso and Nigeria their other two opponents.

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Ethiopia promises bonuses to players