Kidus Giorgis
Ethiopian side Kidus Giorgis has left Addis Ababa to Kampala at late hours of the morning for the crucial second leg of the CAF Total Champions League. The team departed to Kampala having 19 players while they await a daunting task of knocking Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) out of the prestigious African club tournament. Both sides settled for a goalless draw in the first leg. The Horsemen had a light training session in Uganda earlier in the afternoon.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Robert Odongkara, Lealem Birhanu
Defenders: Asechalew Tamene, Degu Debebe, Salahdin Bergicho, Abdulkerim Mohammed, Frezer Kassa, Mehari Mena, Abebaw Butako,
Midfielders: Mulualem Mesfin, Mentesnote Adane, Abdulkerim Nikima, Adane Girma, Tadele Mengesha
Forwards: Behailu Assefa, Amara Malle, Ame Mohammed, Abubakher Sanni, Gadissa Mebrate
Wolaitta Dicha
Ethiopian flag bearers Wolaitta Dicha has traveled to Cairo for their crunch duel against Egyptian giants Zamalek in CAF Total Confederations Cup first round qualifier. The Sodo based side is going to the game having a slander lead from the first leg in Hawassa where they pull off an upset when they defeat the White Knights courtesy goals from Bezabeh Meleyo and Yared Dawit. Dicha are on high after brushing Woldia SC aside 2-0 in a league fixture last Sunday. The Bees of Tona plot to cruise to the second round at the expense of Zamalek when the two sides battle in Cairo on Sunday, March 18.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Wendwesen Geremew, Emmanuel Fevor, Mesaye Bogale
Defenders: Mubarak Shekuri, Webshet Alemayehu, Teklu Tafesse, Eshetu Mena, Tesfu Elias, Sisay Mamo, Webshet Kifle
Midfielders: Haymanot Worku, Bezabeh Meleyo, Cherenet Gugesa, Amerela Deltata, Bereket Wolde, Eyob Alemayehu, Abdulsemed Ali
Forwards: Zelalem Eyassu, Arafat Djako, Yared Dawit, Temsgen Duba
Seyoum In Minyamer Out
Ethiopian topflight side Mekelakeya has sacked head trainer Minyamer Tsegaye and appoints Seyoum Kebede as new head coach. The head coach took over the helm from Belete Gebrekidane who went on to be assistant coach of the Ethiopian national side at the start of a season. However, a string of poor results induced the Army side to part ways with the coach. Veteran manager Seyoum replaced Minyamer to become the new manager of Mekelakeya. The former Kidus Giorgis and Addis Ababa Ketema coach left Higher League side Sebeta Ketema.
Seyoum told Soccer Ethiopia that his immediate target is to secure the 11 times Ethiopian champions a league safety. “I have discussed with the club officials and they do have a risk of relegation. I expect to face a tough test but together with the players I will try to save this great club from relegation.”
Women’s Football
The Ethiopian Women First and Second Division half season assessment has taken place at Jupiter International Hotel in Addis Ababa. League game schedules, security and medical assistance were the pertinent issues raised by the participating clubs. EFF has stated it might not organize the knock out cup until CAF introduces the Africa women club championship. The second half of season for the second division kick starts on the coming Monday while the first division is on hold as the Ethiopian women national team will be vying to qualify for the African Women Cup of Nations and CECAFA Women Championship.
Referee Training Course
A course aimed at improving the understanding of Ethiopian match officials was held in Addis Ababa. Some 120 match referees and commissioners took part on the 4 days training on the event organized by the Ethiopia National Referee Committee. A theory and field practice was given to the trainees as instructors gave out lessons on how to train for games and physical fitness. Moreover lessons on the improved laws of the game were given to trainees.
Ethiopian Higher League
Bahirdar Ketema persisted on their recent impressive form when they swept aside AWSCOD 2-0 in Bahirdar Derby to go four points clear at the top. In a game played out at Bahirdar National Stadium Wesenu Ali broke the deadlock 14 minutes into the game before Fikremichael Alemu doubles the lead in the 38th minute. In other game Ethiopia Medhin pip Nekemete Ketema 2-1 in Addis Ababa. Tihut Nur and veteran former Ethiopian international Samson Mulugeta struck the goals for Medhin. Bahirdar Ketema Group A of the second tier with 28 points.
Transfer News
Woldia SC has completed the signing of 3 new players. Mesfin Kidane, Moges Tadesse and Asalefew Mekonen have joined Woldia. Midfielder Mesfin left Mekelakeya after a year and half stay while left back Asalefew terminated his contract with Wolaitta Dicha after failing to break into the starting 11 with injury set back. Center back Moges was signed by Ethio-Electric but he failed to make an impact in the struggling league side. Woldia has also given a trial to Alsadiq Alemahi and Belay Abayneh.
Wolaitta Dicha has secured service of center back Wendwosen Bogale. The Adama Ketema defender joins the Sodo outfit on a season long loan. Wendwosen is a product of Adama Ketema youth sides as he made appearance in 2014. Nonetheless, he falls out on the pecking order following the arrival of many strong and experienced defenders.
Former Ethiopian international Nejib Sanni has agreed to join top tier side Jimma Aba Jifar in a one year deal. The left back was out with injury lay off close to 23 months. He last played for Mekelakeya before sustaining a knee injury. The transfer will reunite Nejib with his former boss Gebremedhin Haile as both of them worked in the army side two years ago.
FIFA Ranking
Ethiopia dropped two places in the latest FIFA Coca Cola World Ranking. The national team was placed 135th last month but now dropped places to be ranked 137th with 221 points.
Ethiopians Abroad
It has been a mixed result for the two Ethiopians who are piling trade in Egypt. Shemelese Bekele’s Petrojet lost 1-0 to Ismaily in round in game played out at Suez. Shemelese captain the side until he made way to Ahmed Zola in the 53rd minute. Colombian import Diego Calderon struck the lone goal of the game in the 38th minute. Oumed Okuri’s Smouha returned to winning ways after weeks of unimpressive results that saw them dangle in the log table. Smouha thrashed Arab Contractors 3-0 as Oumed clocked 90 minutes. Second half goals from Mohamed Hamdy Zaki, Nasser Maher and Ahmed Homos gave the Blue Waves maximum points in Alexandria. Smouha jumped to fifth with 42 points as there hope to secure a place in CAF Confederations Cup hangs their performance in the Egypt Cup when they face Wadi Degla. Petrojet are 9th with 36 points.
