Last updated: 11 june, 2010 - 14:56 GMT

Ethiopian kids speak universal language of football

Ethiopian children gather round some huts in Lalibella

Ethiopia's team is ranked 123rd in the world, but that does not dampen the huge appetite Ethiopians have for football

This year's football world cup has been trumpeted by FIFA as a world cup for the African continent.

There is no doubt that soccer is huge in Africa, but the love of the beautiful game is by no means only an urban phenomenon.

Will Ross in Lalibella, Ethiopia

The BBC's Will Ross has been assessing the build up of excitement for the World Cup in the Ethiopian highlands.

About 700km north of the capital Addis Ababa in Lalibella, he met a group of nine year-old boys on their way to school.

Despite not being able to speak much English, they are fluent in the language of football.

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First broadcast 10 June 2010

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