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A Julio Tavares header on the cusp of half-time ensured long-time AFCON absentees Cape Verde had a victorious return.
Albeit for a dogged defensive performance from Ethiopia, it was a comfortable afternoon for the Blue Sharks.
The match began in the worst possible way for Abraham Mebratu’s men as VAR changed Yared Belay’s yellow card to red for a foul on Tavares, who was deemed to be through on goal.
As expected, a substitution from Ethiopia followed soon after with Mignot Dada introduced and Mohammed Mesud sacrificed in the process.
Cape Verde looked to use the one-man advantage to their benefit near the half-hour mark and almost succeeded when a ball into the area from Garry Rodrigues almost forced an own-goal.
Rodrigues was at the heart of another move minutes later, when his ball from the right side led to a curling shot outside the area from Steven Fortes, but Teklemariam Shanko made a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
Cape Verde made their dominance count in the final minute of the first half when Tavares pounced on a cut-back from the ever-present Rodrigues to head in from close-range.
It was a deserved lead and a heart-breaking goal to concede for the Ethiopians, who had fought hard despite their numerical disadvantage.
Ethiopia continued to battle away despite playing with one man less and worried their counterparts through shots in and around the final third, especially from star man Getaneh Kebede following a quiet and frustrating spell.
It was at this point that Cape Verde decided to make their first substitution, which saw Rodrigues withdrawn for Willy Semedo before Tavares forced Shanko into another fine save.
Ethiopia kept the balance of play intact towards full-time, but the Blue Sharks still enjoyed the better chances and with that held on to a narrow victory.
Cape Verde join hosts Cameroon at the top of Group A with Burkina Faso and Ethiopia propping up the group. Tomorrow’s action sees Senegal take on Zimbabwe, Guinea face Malawi, Morocco face Ghana and Comoros make their AFCON debut against Gabon.
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