Ethiopian Women Soccer leaves for Equatorial Guinea

Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi pledges 5 million birr for team

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian women national soccer team “Dinkinesh” (Lucy) left here today for Equatorial Guinea, where it will take part in the 8^th African Women Championship.

Dinkinesh’s is drawn in Group 2 with Nigeria, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. The team will play its first match on Sunday against the Ivory Coast.

Women soccer in Ethiopia has made tremendous progress over the last few years. This marks the third time that an Ethiopian women team will compete in the continental competition , despite the fact that the country doesn’t have a league of its own, This, however, will change this year as the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has instructed all 14 Premier League teams to form a woman team as well.

Meanwhile, ETV reported that Ethiopian-Saudi billionaire Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi pledged to give  a 5 million birr bonus for the team and offered a 2-bedroom condominium for every player, should the team qualify for the World Cup in Canada, at a dinner held at the Sheraton Hotel last night.

The Team

Team Leader: Tiruwork Berhanu

Coaches: Abraham Tekle-Haimanot (head coach) and Berhanu Gizaw (Asst. Coach)

Players (21):

Goalkeepers (3): Liya Shiberu, Dagmawit Mekonnen and Israel Ketema

Defenders (6): Bezuhan Endale, Weyneshet Tsegaye, Hiwot Dangisso, Tiru-Anchi Mengesha, Adanech Getachew and Kelemwa Mulugeta.

Midfielders (7): Eden Shiferaw, Zulika Juhad, Biruktawit Girma, Tutu Belay, Aynalem Wondimu, Kidist Bogale and Akberet Gebre-Tsadik.

Forwards (5): Shitaye Sisay, Rehima Zergaw, Birtukan Gebre-Kristos, Bezunesh Sisay, Helen Seifu.

Ethiopian Women soccer in African Championships:

2002 – NIGERIA (finished last in Group A)

Group A    

Nigeria  - Ethiopia      3-0

Ethiopia – Mali          2-2

Ghana    - Ethiopia      3-0

P  W  D  L GF GA GD Pts
 1.Ghana           3  3  0  0  6  0 +6  9

 2.Nigeria         3  2  0  1  8  2 +6  6

3.Mali                  3  0  1  2  3  9 -6  1

 4.Ethiopia      3  0  1  2  2  8 -6  1

2004 – South Africa (finished 4^th)

Group A
Zimbabwe        -  Ethiopia  1-1

Ghana                -  Ethiopia  2-1

South Africa   -  Ethiopia  1-2

P  W  D  L GF GA GD Pts
1.Ghana              3  3  0  0  7  1 +6  9
 2.Ethiopia        3  1  1  1  4  4  0  4
3.Zimbabwe        3  1  1  1  3  4 -1  4
4.South Africa    3  0  0  3  2  7 -5  0

Semi-finals  

Cameroon      -  Ghana      1-0 (aet)

Nigeria       -  Ethiopia   4-0

 

Third place  

Ghana         -  Ethiopia   0-0 (6-5p)