Ethiopia Women produced a dominant 6-0 victory over Seychelles Women in an international friendly on 3 October 2026, delivering a clinical attacking display that underlined the gap in experience and quality between the two sides. Six different passages of play ended in goals as Ethiopia controlled the match from the opening whistle and never allowed their opponents a route back into the contest.

Match Overview

Friendlies are often cagey affairs, with both coaches using the occasion to experiment, but this one was decided quickly. Ethiopia Women pressed high from the start, won the ball back in dangerous areas and moved it forward with purpose, forcing Seychelles Women into a long evening of defensive work.

The scoring opened early and the pattern rarely changed. Ethiopia's movement off the ball was the standout feature of the first half, with forwards rotating across the front line and midfielders arriving late in the box. By the time the interval arrived, the result was effectively settled — but the intensity did not drop after the restart.

Key Moments

• Early breakthrough: Ethiopia Women took the lead inside the opening exchanges, converting a well-constructed move that began with a turnover in midfield.
• Rapid double: A second goal followed quickly, with a driving run from midfield opening space for a finish from the edge of the area.
• Set-piece threat: The third arrived from a corner, headed home after a clever near-post run pulled defenders out of position.
• Half-time cushion: A fourth goal before the break capped a first half in which Ethiopia created chances almost at will.
• Substitutes make an impact: Changes at the interval did not disrupt the rhythm, and the fifth goal came from a player who had only just entered the pitch.
• Late sixth: The scoring was completed in the closing stages with a composed finish after another quick transition, sealing a comprehensive win.

Tactical Story

Ethiopia Women set up with an aggressive high press and a compact midfield that suffocated Seychelles' attempts to play out from the back. Every goal kick became a contest, and more often than not the ball was won back inside the opposition half. That territorial dominance allowed Ethiopia to sustain attacks without exposing themselves defensively.

In possession, the emphasis was on width and quick combinations. The full-backs pushed high, stretching a deep-lying defensive block and creating room for central players to operate between the lines. Once Ethiopia worked the ball into wide areas, crosses arrived early and often, and the movement in the box consistently beat the marking.

Seychelles Women, to their credit, kept their shape and never abandoned their structure. Their goalkeeper made several saves to keep the score from climbing further, and their defensive organisation improved in the second period even as the pressure continued. The challenge for them is a familiar one for developing national teams: converting rare moments of possession into meaningful attacks.

Standout Players

The most impressive aspect of Ethiopia's performance was its spread of contributors. Goals came from forwards, midfielders and set-piece situations, reflecting a team that does not depend on a single source of scoring. The midfield trio controlled the tempo throughout, while the forward line's pressing set the tone for the entire evening.

The substitutes deserve particular mention. Introduced midway through the second half, they maintained the intensity and added two of the six goals, demonstrating the depth available to the coaching staff. That kind of competition for places is exactly what a national team programme wants heading into competitive fixtures.

What the Friendly Delivers

For Ethiopia Women, this was a valuable exercise in ruthlessness. Friendlies against lower-ranked opposition can become complacent, scrappy affairs, but this performance was disciplined and professional from the first minute to the last. The coaching staff will have learned plenty about combinations in wide areas and the effectiveness of the high press against teams that prefer to build patiently.

For Seychelles Women, the value lies in the experience itself. Facing a physically stronger and technically sharper opponent provides a clear benchmark, and the second-half improvement suggests the players adapted as the game progressed. Exposure to this level of opposition is an important part of long-term development, even when the scoreline is difficult.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will take lessons from the fixture as they prepare for upcoming international commitments. Ethiopia Women will be encouraged by the fluency of their attacking play and the