The Ethiopian women national team will depart to Uganda to compete in the first ever CECAFA Women Cup.
The tourney commences on September 11 with seven nations battling it out for maiden cup glory in East Africa.
Lucy have been in residential camp for 15 days in Dire Dawa before switching to the capital Addis Ababa for a brief preparation period.
Head coach Meseret Manni revealed to Soccer Ethiopia that her charges will do whatever it takes to get a good result. “Our preparation has been great thus far. We had a successful 15 days camp in Dire Dawa where we prepared the players in the tactical and technical aspect. We are so ready to give our best and snatch a good result,” said Meseret.
The team managed to play two test matches during their stay at the Eastern Ethiopian city. “We have played two test games against male teams. All the players performed well in both encounters,” Meseret added.
Ethiopia are drawn in group B alongside Tanzania and Rwanda. Meserte stated she don’t have a profound information on the opponents. “We only have a limited info regarding our opponents. We happened to know little about Kenya and Tanzania only. Nonetheless, I respect every opponent. Nowadays in a Cup tourney the underdogs and those teams who are given lower chance of winning a championship are having a success. We respect all our opponents but we will enter to the field to win.”
Meseret named her 20 women squad ahead of the Uganda trip where Dedebit duo Eden Shiferaw and Senayit Bogale couldn’t make the cut. Dedebit striker Loza Abera is definitely one of the players to watch. Loza, the top goal queen of the Ethiopian Women Premier League, is expeted to partner with Ethiopia Nigd Bank striking duo Shitaye Sisay and Rehima Zerega. Dedebit’s talented midfielder Birtukan GebreKristos has been given the captain’s armband as she will be leading Lucy in the tournament.
Kenya is the only nation among the 7 participant countries to qualify for the African Women Nations Cup which is due in Cameroon in December 2016.
Ethiopian assistant international referee Weyenshet Abera has been appointed by CECAFA to officiate games.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Liya Shiberu (Free Agent), Marta Bekele (Mekelakeya), Tarikwa Beregena (Dire Dawa Ketema)
Defenders:
Atikilt Ashenafi (Kidus Giorgis), Meskerm Konka (Dedebit), Mihert Melese (Mekelakeya), Tiruanchi Menegesha, Tsion Estifanos, Estegenet Bizuneh (Ethiopia Nigd Bank), Asabe Muso (Dashen Bira)
Midfielders:
Emebete Addisu, Fikirte Birhanu (Mekelakeya), Birtukan GebreKirsots (Dedebit), Biruktawit Girma, Hiwot Dengiso (Ethiopia Nigd Bank), Serekalem Bogale (Dashen Bira)
Forwards:
Loza Abera (Dedebit), Rehima Zerega, Shetaye Sisay (Ethiopia Nigd Bank), Medina Awol (Kidist Mariam University)
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