2018 FIFA World Cup: Ethiopia to face São Tomé and Príncipe tomorrow without 3 key players

Attacking trio, Salahdin Said, Getaneh Kebede and Oumed Oukri were the notable absentees when Ethiopia coach Yohannes Sahle named his squad for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 First round clash clash with Sao Tome and Principe.

Sahle looked beyond the trio citing their unimpressive turnout for their respective clubs in his 19-man squad for the first leg on Thursday, 8 October 2015 in Sao Tome.

Salahdin recently joined Algerian side MC Alger after an unsuccessful stint with Egyptian side, Al Ahly; Oukri features for Egyptian side ENPPI whilst Kebede is on the books of University of Pretoria in South Africa.

The Ethiopian trainer included only two foreign-based players, Walid Atta and Shemeles Bekele of Gençlerbirliği (Turkey) and Petrojet (Egypt) respectively.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia midfielder Biniam Belay has been handed a debut call-up to the Walias whilst Bereket Yisak, Dawit Fikadu and Ramkel Lok, left out of the team that drew 1-1 draw with Seychelles last month in an Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifier have returned.

The Walias build-up for the Sao Tome and Principe encounter saw them record a 3-2 win over Botswana in a friendly last week in Gaborone.

The second leg will take place on Sunday, 11 October 2015 in Addis Ababa.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Tarike Getnet (Dedebit), Abel Mamo (Mugher Cement), Lealem Birhanu (Sidama Coffee)

Defenders: Seyoum Tesfaye (Dedebit), Tekalegn Dejene (Dedebit), Walid Atta* (Gençlerbirliği, Turkey), Anteneh Tesfaye (Sidama Coffee), Asechalew Tamene (Saint George), Mujib Kassim (Hawassa City)

Midfielders: Gatoch Panom (Ethiopian Coffee), Mulualem Mesfin (Sidama Coffee), Ephrem Ashamo (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia), Biruk Kalbore (Adama City), Biniam Belay (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia), Shemeles Bekele (Petrojet, Egypt), Asechalew Girma (Hawassa City)

Forwards: Dawit Fikadu (Dedebit), Ramkel Lok (Saint George), Bereket Yisak (Hawassa City)

Source: CAF Online

*Walid Atta, who is supposed to join the team there is said to be injured and is currently in Turkey, according to Soccerethiopia.net. Will he be fit enough to play in the return match in Addis Ababa on Sunday no one knows.