Ethiopian Premier League attracting more foreign strikers

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Attacking football appears the order of the new Ethiopian Premier League season as many teams have signed home grown and foreign forwards , Salhadin Said of Saint George, Getaneh Kebede of Dedebit, Mulualem Tilahun of Electric and Samuel Sannumi of Ethiopia Bunna are some of the better known names.

The trend is striking because the players come with partners which means the old walking football may soon be dead. The defending champions Saint George striker international Salhadin Said is to be paired either with veteran goal poacher Adane Girma or City Cup phenomena Abubaker Sani who’s five goals made him the  tournament’s top scorer.

Highly regarded title contender Dedebit FC appears to have the most deadly pair in the form of international Getaneh Kebede and Dawit Fekadu. Five years ago the two scored 43 goals between them. Could that pairing come true under in his second spell with Dedebit head coach Yohannes Sahle? Add to that Ephrem Ashamo’s attacking instinct Dedebit’s demolishing power is something to recon.

Addis Ababa City Cup surprise champion Ethio-Electric appeared well prepared to boast a deadly strike force in the form of Burundian Didrer Karvumbagu, former Ethiopia Bunna Mulualem Tilahun and the lightning fast Ivorian Ibrahim Fufona. He is  the player who took the City Cup Most Valuable award, scoring three goals including the final day braid over Saint George. He has already proven himself, leading Electric to win the City Cup. If veteran Dawit Estifanos stays in good form to supply his trade mark inch perfect balls, The Power Houses could be much feared.

A direct order from the Serbian head coach Ethiopia Bunna obtained the service of the fast forward former Premier League top scorer Nigerian Samuel Sanumi while Ethiopia Neged Bank boasts another Nigerian striker Peter Nwadkee. Former champions Hawassa Town signed two strikers: 27 year old Togolese Arafat Djako and Embele Mangue thus likely to be among the strong title contenders.

Though the domination of foreign players might not be very welcome by football fans, the new Premier League season is shaping up to be hot.

Source: CapitalEthiopia.com