Ethiopian U-20 national side coach Atnafu Alemu has called 25 players for the African U-20 Nations Cup qualifier doubleheader against Burundi later this month.
The head trainer has included players from the U-17 side that Atnafu used to handle. Wolaitta Dicha’s defender Eyob Alemayehu, Ethiopia Bunna duo Abubakher Nessero and Mikias Mekonen likewise newly signed Chala Teshita are some of the names that were summoned to the U-20 side after representing Ethiopia in U-17 level. Hawassa Ketema Mesay Paulos, who happened to be a regular starter in Webetu Abate’s side, and the inaugural U-20 premier league medal winner Tsegab Yosef were also called for national team duty. Sofonias Mekuanent has also managed to get included after passing a trial. Sofonias feature for FC Stumbras in Lithuania.
ArbaMinch Ketema custodian Tsion Merde, Welwalo’s shot stopper Bereket Amare are also the other names that have gotten call ups.
Ethiopia will face Burundi in the first qualifying round at home. Winner of the two legged fixture tackles Sudan in the second qualifying round. Ethiopia is yet to qualify for a continental U-20 tournament after hosting it in 2001.
Full Squad:
Tsion Merde (ArbaMinch Ketema)
Bereket Amare (Welwalo Adigrat University)
Polke Choul (Burayu Ketema)
Samuel Tesfaye (Kidus Giorgis)
Shewit Yohannis (Shire)
Mesay Paulos (Hawassa Ketema)
Eyob Alemayehu (Wolaitta Dicha)
Mujhad Mohammed (Sidama Bunna)
Yonatan Gezu (Hawassa Ketema)
Yohannis Segebo (Hawassa Ketema)
Yonatan Fisseha (Sidama Bunna)
Tsegab Yosef (Hawassa Ketema)
Abel Endale (Dedebit)
Abubakher Nessro (Ethiopia Bunna)
Chala Teshita (Adama Ketema)
Gebremeskel Dubale (Werabe)
Mikias Mekonen (Ethiopia Bunna)
Tesfaye Bekele (Kidus Giorgis)
Israel Shegole (ArbaMinch Ketema)
Sintayehu Waleche (Ethio-Electric)
Esubalew Mulugeta (Addis Ababa Ketema)
Mikael Hasiso (Sidama Bunna)
Kalkidan Zelalem (Ethiopia Bunna)
Sofonias Mekuanent (FC Stumbras/ Lithuania)
Solomon Wedesa (Werabe)
