When Mengistu Worku struck deep into extra time against Egypt to clinch Ethiopia's first African Cup of Nations title in 1962, the home victory appeared to herald an era of dominance for the pioneering Horn of Africa country.
While the likes of Ghana and Nigeria fell early in the qualifying rounds, Ethiopia wowed spectators with their flair and fluid passing game, earning the moniker “the Brazil of Africa”.
They also reached the tournament's semi-finals in 1963 and 1968 but the euphoria did not last long.
The promise ebbed as a series of lacklustre appearances in later tournaments saw them hobbling to first round exits, while they also inexplicably withdrew from qualifiers on a number of occasions.
Political turmoil in the 1970s and 1980s cast Ethiopia into the footballing wilderness, and some of the country's best players kept hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons by absconding while on international duty.
Fast-forward to 2013 and Ethiopia – nicknamed the Walya Antelopes after an endemic and endangered ibex – are now looking to re-establish themselves in the continental fold after booking a place at this month's African Cup of Nations, their first since 1982 and five decades since they lifted the cup.
A 5-5 aggregate score-line in their play-off against Sudan in October sealed their place, sparking wild street celebrations among football fans who struggled to absorb the turnaround in fortune.
“We made it. Nothing is impossible with hard work,” captain Degu Debebe said soon after the match at Addis Ababa's 30,000-capacity stadium. “It is a new beginning for all of us.”
It was a cagey first half. Sudan's “Falcons of Jediane” sought to retain their 5-3 lead and rarely ventured beyond their own half. A nerve-wracking first 45 minutes appeared to signal the return of ghosts of qualifiers past.
Enter Adane Girma and Egypt-based Saladin Seid. Two second-half strikes in four minutes turned the tie on its head and the Walyas held their nerves to break Sudanese hearts.
