A Julio Tavares header on the cusp of half-time ensured long-time AFCON absentees Cape Verde had a victorious return.<\/h2>\n

Albeit for a dogged defensive performance from Ethiopia, it was a comfortable afternoon for the Blue Sharks.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

As expected, a substitution from Ethiopia followed soon after with Mignot Dada introduced and Mohammed Mesud sacrificed in the process.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It was a deserved lead and a heart-breaking goal to concede for the Ethiopians, who had fought hard despite their numerical disadvantage.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It was at this point that Cape Verde decided to make their first substitution, which saw Rodrigues withdrawn for Willy Semedo before Tavares forced Shanko into another fine save.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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