By Our ReporterHOME-Baes Eagles first opponents at this year's African
Nations Championship (CHAN) Niger Republic were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in a tune-up game on Saturday in Addi Ababa.
The Walia Ibex came from a goal down to hold Niger in a tough game that could have gone either way.Idrissa Halidou Garba put Niger ahead in the 8th minute through a wonderful effort outside the box beating Walia Ibex keeper Abel Mamo.
The game went to the break with visitors Niger leading 0-1 but upon resumption Ethiopia Walia Ibex pilled pressure but it was only until the dying minutes of the game that they were rewarded a penalty after a Niger player handled the ball in the box.
Midfielder Gatoch Panom stepped up to level the scores from the penalty spot beating keeper Soumalia with a low but hard shot. Nigeria a bronze winner in the last edition in South Africa, host Niger Republic on January 18th at the Kigali Stadium.
