News in Brief – April 5 - ሶከር ኢትዮጵያ

Abraham Mebartu

The government of Yemen has given plaudits to Ethiopian coach Abraham Mebratu upon the historic qualification of the national team to the AFC Asian Cup in a ceremony held at Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh on April 3. The Yemen president Abdrobo Hadi received the senior national side as he personally appreciated and honored coach Abraham for achieving the unthinkable in a dire situation where Yemen was forced to play all of their home qualifier duels in Doha due to security concerns in the country.

Lucy

The Ethiopian women national team will begin preparation for the return leg game on Friday against Libya in Total African Women Cup of Nations qualifier on the coming Tuesday in Addis Ababa. Lucy put 8 goals past Libya in the first leg played out in Cairo.

Ethiopia Bunna

The Ethiopian Football Federation Discipline Committee has awarded Ethiopia Bunna three points and three goals after Ethio-Electric fielded a suspended player in round 17 of the topflight league. Ethiopia Bunna won the tie thanks to a last gasp debut goal from Senegalese forward Baptiste Faye. Electric fielded Henok Kasshun in the second interval nonetheless the former Dedebit and Adama Ketema midfielder should have missed the tie with five yellow cards. Ethiopia Bunna are second in the log table while Electric are 14th with 17 points.

Red Fox

The Ethiopian U-17 national side is drawn in Group A of the CECAFA U-17 Cup which is due in Burundi on April 14-18. The Red Fox are pitted against hosts Burundi, Somalia and Kenya. They will kick start their campaign against Somalia on April 14 at Ngozi. The side that is led by coach Temesgen Dana have been in residential since March 2018.

Full Fixture

April 14 – Somalia vs. Ethiopia (Ngozi) (7:00)
April 17 – Ethiopia vs. Kenya (Gitega) (9:30)
April 20 – Burundi vs. Ethiopia (Gitega) (9:30)

EFF Polls

The world football governing body has told the Ethiopian Football Federation to hold a fresh election prior to June 3. FIFA took the decision following a delegation assessed the process where it is deemed unfit and doesn’t comply with the FIFA Statutes. Upon the decision the current electoral committee will be disbanded likewise EFF will summon an extraordinary General Assembly to vote a new nonpartisan electoral committee that can organize an election. The election process has taken long and perceived by many as flawed after controversial things happened to it.

Ethiopian Referees

CAF has appointed Ethiopian referees to officiate in the upcoming Total Confederations Cup and African Women Cup of Nations qualifier games. FIFA international arbiter Bamlak Tessema will handle the CAF second tier competition in Lusaka. The World Cup bound match official is appointed to officiate the game between Zanaco and Raja Casablanca. Temesgen Samuel and Kinde Musse are Bamlak’s assistants while Dawit Asamenew is the fourth official. Lidiya Tafese will handle toe return leg AWCON qualifier game between Zambia and Tanzania.

Haile Gebretensaye
Ethiopia Bunna right back Haile Gebretensaye spoke to Soccer Ethiopia over the incident where head trainer Didier Gomes warned the former Mekelakeya player to put him on the bench after Haile lost the ball.
“We were already 2 up and the coaches sought that I should focus on my defensive duties and be tactically disciplined rather than to play more offensive. I listened to their advice.”
Ethiopia Bunna fans have been rejoicing with immediate impact right back Haile is making in the squad. The former Mekelakeya youth team player broke into the starting XI since the half season kick started. Haile was recommended to join the Addis Ababa outfit by veteran legendary coach Seyoum Abate.

Ethiopian Premier League Week 18

League leaders Dedebit suffered yet again another away loss when they were beaten by Hawassa Ketema 1-0. Fikryesus Towldebirhane struck the decisive goal for the Webetu Abate charges. First half goals from Eyassu Tamiru and Nigerian striker Samuel Sanumi helped Ethiopia Bunna to sweep aside Mekelakeya 2-0. Ethiopia Bunna closed the gap on log leaders as they are second in the standing. Strugglers Sidama Bunna, Dire Dawa Ketema and Ethio-Electric returned to winning ways while Jimma Aba Jifar hold Fasil Ketema in Gondar.