The Ethiopian national football team qualified for African Cup of Nations after 31 years of absence.

Ethiopian national team defeated its Sudanese counterpart 2-0 on Sunday (October 15) in the return leg here in Addis Ababa, securing a place in the upcoming 2013 Nations Cup.

No goals were scored in the first half. The "Walyas" of Ethiopia took a lead after Adane Girma scored a magnificent goal that rocked the 30,000- full stadium in the 63rd minute. Three minutes later the well known Ethiopian striker Salhadin Seid scored a second goal that confirmed the team's qualification to the 2013 Africa cup of nations which South Africa hosts.

Addis Ababa was set on fire as the referee's whistle confirmed the national team's qualification after a solid 100 minutes of breathtaking game. Thousands went to the street, chanting, shouting and singing to celebrate the national team's victory.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and various government offices sent congratulatory messages to the Ethiopian national team minutes after the match ended. Though the "walyas" had lost 5-3 at Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman last month in the first leg of the match, it qualified for the 2013 African Cup of Nation's for it scored three goals in the away match.

Ethiopia last qualified for the African Cup of Nations in the 13th cup hosted by Libya.