The Ethiopian Premier League is one of Africa’s stronger domestic leagues but Ethiopia have yet to progress beyond the group stage in their history at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for domestic-based national teams, giving coach Wubetu Abate and his squad a target to strive for at the 2022 edition in Algeria. Ethiopia will take part in Group A alongside Mozambique, Libya and hosts Algeria with their first matchup against Mozambique on January 14. The Walias conducted their preparations in Morocco, losing two friendly matches against the Morocco CHAN team with 1-0 and 2-1 defeats.
Abate will not have Ethiopia’s most prolific striker to call upon after the national team’s all-time leading scorer, Getaneh Kebede, announced his retirement from national team duty after being named in Abate’s 28-player squad. However there is still plenty of firepower in the Ethiopian attack with Amanuel Gebremichael and Chernet Gugsa arriving from reigning Ethiopian Premier League champions Saint George as well as last season’s Premier League top scorer, Sidama Coffee’s Yegezu Bogale. Saint George midfielder Gatoch Panom is an imposing physical presence who took part in Ethiopia’s last CHAN appearance as a 19-year-old in 2014 and will be one of the more experienced players in the team along with another veteran midfielder, Mesud Mohammed of Adama City.
The anticipated weaknesses for Ethiopia lie in defense and in goal and Abate might take advantage of the competition to test new and younger options ahead of future 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Saint George teammates Mignot Debebe and Ramadan Yusef started in Ethiopia’s decisive 2-0 victory over Egypt last June in 2023 AFCON qualifying with the 21-year-old continuing to establish himself as a reliable option at left back while 27-year-old late bloomer Debebe’s role is growing in the center of defense. Abate appears to be set on developing young goalkeeper Fasil Gebremichael as the shot stopper of the future for the national team. The 22-year-old Bahir Dar Kenema player has certainly had some rough moments and notable gaffes but is growing more comfortable while learning on the job.
The full list of players is below followed by links from CAF and Ethiopian media outlets on the team.
Ethiopia Squad
Note: Getaneh Kebede (Wolkite Kenema) announced his retirement from the national team after being called up.
Goalkeepers
Fasil Gebremichael (Bahir Dar)
Bahiru Negash (St George)
Bereket Amare (Ethiopian Coffee)
Defenders
Alembirhan Yigzaw (Fasil Kenema)
Birhanu Bekele (Hadiya Hossana)
Suleman Hamid (St George)
Ramadan Yesouf (St George)
Gezahegn Desalegn (Ethiopian Coffee)
Git Gakut (Sidama Coffee)
Million Solomon (Adama City)
Aschalew Tamene (Fasil Kenema)
Mignot Debebe (St George)
Fetudin Jemal (Bahir Dar)
Midfielders
Gatoch Panom (St George)
Yihun Endashaw (Fasil Kenema)
Alelegn Azene (Bahir Dar)
Kenean Markneh (Defense Force)
Mesud Mohammed (Adama)
Tafesse Solomon (Fasil Kenema)
Wondimagegn Hailu (Hawassa)
Fuad Fereja (Bahir Dar)
Forwards
Chernet Gugsa (St George)
Amanuel Gebremichael (St George)
Mitika Jema (Medin)
Duressa Shubissa (Bahir Dar)
Biniam Belay (St George)
Yegezu Bogale (Sidama Coffee)
