EFF Election Race Heated Up
The Ethiopian Football Federation elective general assembly, which is slated for November 9, is fast approaching while regional federations are endorsing their candidates for the presidency and executive committee membership for the next 4 years. Five regional Football Federations have proposed their candidates for the presidency role. In a surprising twist of events, former EFF president and current Ethiopian Olympic Committee president Dr. Ashebir Woldegiorgis (SNNP), ex national team, Kidus Giorgis and Ethiopia Bunna player Anteneh Feleke (Oromia), former EFF vice president Teka Assefaw (Amhara), Ambassador Tofik Abdulahi (Harari), and the current incumbent Juniedi Basha (Dire Dawa) are expected to run for the presidency role. Gambela, Benshalgul, Ethio Somali and Afar Football Federations will not be endorsing their respective candidates for the presidency position. Mrs. Sofia is the only female running for the executive committee member after Dr. Nesredin Abdulahi opted not to seek for a second term citing personal problems. The deadline day for the submission of candidates has been extended to Monday October 30 as the Federation confirmed.
Executive Committee Election Runners
Afar – Alimira Mohammed
Addis Ababa – Haileyesus Fisseha (Eng.)
Amhara – Instructor Sewnet Beshaw
Benishalgul – Sofia
Dire Dawa – Juniedi Basha
Gambela – Choul Beil (Eng.)
SNNP – Zerihun Kekebo
Total CAF Champions League 2017
Ethiopian FIFA international arbiter Bamlak Tessema set to officiate the highly anticipated CAF Champions League final first leg duel between Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC and Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Alexandria. It is the first time since the 1980 African Cup of Nations final that an Ethiopian referee is adjudged to lead a major tournament final.
Match Fixing Scandal
According to new reports emerging, the Ethiopian Football Federation Discipline Committee have made two players of Ethio-Electric the culprits for the match fixing attempt during the 2016/17 Ethiopian Premier League final day fixture between Hawassa Ketema and Ethio-Electric. Although, EFF didn’t confirm the new developments, sources state that Jimma Aba Bunna, who have been voicing repeatedly about the alleged match fixing scandal, will not be gaining premier league status even if the Federation banned the players from footballing activities. In the meantime, attorneys have reached in agreement regarding the case but the information whether the unnamed players will be tried at court of law or not are still undisclosed.
Popadich’s departure imminent
Ethiopia Bunna Serbian coach Dragan Popadich’s departure from the Addis Ababa outfit looks imminent now after the coach was told by Doctors from the Addis Cardiac Center not to engage himself in any job.
Ethiopia Bunna have given the former Express and Simba coach a sick absence, nevertheless, the coach still needs further treatment as his case is life threatening. Bunna have commenced negotiation with another Serbian coach named Kostadin Papic. The fate of Popadich will be decided until November 8.
Three Ethiopian Appointed in CAF Standing Committees
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have revealed the list of the Standing Committees which will be serving from 2017 to 2019. Three Ethiopians have been picked by the Ahmad Ahmad administration to serve in CAF Standing Committees. Current EFF incumbent Juniedi Basha, who happened to be seeking a second term in EFF, has been named at the Organizing Committee for Africa Cup of Nations which is headed by Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick. Kidus Giorgis SA board president Abenet Gebremeskel retained his membership in the organizing Committee for Interclubs Competitions and Club Licensing System. Tunisian Tarek Bouchamaoui is the president of the committee. Meanwhile, EFF deputy secretary general Meskerem Tadesse has become a member of the Organizing Committee for Women’s Football. Serrie Leone Football Association president the controversial Isha Johansen heads the committee.
Mekele Ketema Named Yohannis Sahle as new coach
Ethiopian premier league newbies Mekele Ketema have appointed former Ethiopian national team coach Yohannis Sahle as their new trainer. Yohannis has assumed the coaching role after he spent two weeks with the Tigray club. Last month Mekele have parted ways with coach Getachew Dawit.
