The Ethiopian Football Federation has ultimately decided to participate in the 2018 Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier game against Rwanda this Sunday. The Federation has reportedly requested CAF to postpone the game for a later kick off date citing the limited time given to preparation.
According to the Federation’s decision now the doubleheader against Rwanda will go ahead as planned on November 5 and 12. CAF have rejected EFF’s request as the draw for the group stages, which will be in Rabat, is due in November 17 just five days after Ethiopia’s clash against Rwanda in Kigali. The continents football governing body had no intention to postpone the game while the group stage draw is fast approaching.
The Waliays coach Ashenafi Bekele has summoned a 25 player’s squad on Sunday but since EFF have not decided whether to take part on the qualifier or not the players returned back to their clubs. The 2017/18 Ethiopian Premier League season have also made things complicated for the Federation as the weekend’s opening fixtures clashed with the CHAN qualifier game. EFF is now forced to postpone four of the opening week 1 fixtures of the league which are about to be staged in Addis Ababa.
With the new development earlier today, coach Ashenafi has called up a provisional 27 men squad for the Rwanda duel. The coach handed a debut call up for Henok Adugna and Amanuel Gebremikael while midfielder Mesude Mohammed makes a return to the squad. Dedebit goalie Tarike Getnet, who failed to get any caps after the 7-1 mauling of Ethiopia at the hands of Algeria in Bilida, has also made the cut.
Ethiopia will tackle Rwanda on Sunday November 5 in Addis Ababa while the return leg is slated for November 12 in Kigali as both nations battle for a place in the final of the Total African Nations Championship scheduled for January in Morocco. The aggregate winners bag the last ticket to the continental showpiece. The Rwandan national team has been in a full gear for the duel as of Sunday whilst Ethiopia have not made any training session till Wednesday. Rwandan coach Anthony Hey and charges entered residential camp last Sunday. Amavubi are expected to travel to on Friday, November 3.
Goalkeepers
Jemal Tassew (Dire Dawa Ketema), Lealem Birhanu (Kidus Giorgis), Tarik Getenet (Dedebit)
Defenders
Eshetu Menna (Wolaitta Dicha), Desta Yohannis (Hawassa Ketema), Tewdros Bekele (Mekelakeya), Abebaw Butako, Salahdin Bargicho, Asechalew Tamene (all from Kidus Giorgis), Girma Bekele (Ethio-Electric), Henok Adugna (Jimma Aba Jifar)
Midfielders
Menetesnot Adane, Mulualem Mesfin, Gadissa Mebrate (all from Kidus Giorgis), Samson Tilahun, Mesude Mohammed (both from Ethiopian Bunna), Firew Solomon (Hawassa Ketema), Surafel Dagnachew (Adama Ketema), Teklu Tesfaye (Ethio-Electric)
Forwards
Asechalew Girma (Ethiopia Bunna) Salahdin Said, Abubakher Sani, Ame Mohammed (all from Kidus Giorgis), Dawa Hotessa (Adama Ketema), Minyelu Wendimu (Mekelakeya), Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit), Amanuel GebreMikael (Mekele Ketema)
