Ethiopian National team starts preparation for Nigerian Encounter
Addis Ababa –The Ethiopian national soccer (football) team has started its preparation for the upcoming March 27th encounter with the Nigerian Eagles here on Monday.
The two teams will play for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifier
Coach Iffy Onuora has added 3 more players: Asrat Megersa (EEPCO), Yidnekachew Kidane (Defence Force) and Abdulkerim Hassen (St. George) yesterday to the list of 24 players that he submitted earlier to the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF).
In total, 27 players have been called. However, there are unconfirmed reports that goalie Binyam Habtamu of Dedebit might soon be cut due to injury.
8 Players from St. George!!!!
The surprising aspect of Onuora’s selection is that while runner-up Ethiopian Coffee has only 1 player named, St. George, which has been struggling this year and currently sits in 6th place, has 8 players selected.
Selection by Clubs: St. George (8), Defence Force (6), Dedebit FC (4), Hawassa City (4), Ethiopian Coffee, EEPCO, Dire Dawa City, Amhara Water Works and Super Sport have one player each.
The original list of 24 players:
Goalkeepers (4)
Binyam Habtamu (Dedebit FC)*
Zerihun Tadele (St. George)
Atnafu Tadese (Hawassa City) and
Dereje Alemu (Amhara WaterWorks) – National Division
*Might be cut due to injury
Defenders (9)
Alula Girma (St. George)
Abebaw Butako (St. George)
Samson Mulugeta (St. George)
Samuel Wehib (Defence Force)
Aynalem Hailu (Defence Force)
Mengistu Assefa (Dedebit FC)
Berhanu Bogale (Dedebit FC)
Daniel Derebe (Dedebit FC)
Zenabu Kebede (Hawassa City)
Midfielders (6)
Yared Zenabu (St.George)
Mesfin Kidane (St.George)
Daniel Derebe (Dedebit FC)
Menyahel Teshome (Ethiopian Coffee)
Dereje Hailu (Hawassa City)
Ashenafi Girma (Dire Dawa City)
Forwards (5)
Shimeles Bekele (Hawassa City)
Fikru Teferra (SuperSport – South Africa)
Oumed Oukri (Defence Force)
Bedasso Hora (Defence Force)
Chala Deriba (Defence Force)
