Former captain Gatoch Panom questions Ethiopia national team omission

Photo Credit: Tikvah Images

Ethiopian midfielder Gatoch Panom has lamented a missed opportunity to represent his country in March’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Ethiopia coach Mesay Teferi overlooked the veteran midfielder for the qualifiers following his move to Iraqi Stars League outfit Newroz SC.

Panom is enjoying a superb season with Newroz, having become a regular starter and scoring two league goals. Speaking to the state-owned FM Addis 97.1 about his omission, Panom said he cannot fathom the reasons behind his exclusion.

Panom added that he did not expect to be left out. “I was the captain of the national side, so I did not expect that I would not be called up,” said the former Ethiopian Coffee and Saint George player.

Coach Teferi stated that he selects players for the national team based on his playing strategy and has left the door open for others in the next international window. However, Panom said he cannot accept the logic behind Teferi’s approach, suggesting that other foreign-based players have also been overlooked.

USA-based Surafel Dagnachew, Libya-bound Canaan Markneh and Egypt-based Abel Yalew were also omitted when the Waliyas faced Egypt and Djibouti.

A source close to the matter told Pan Africa Football that Loudoun United midfielder Dagnachew had a minor injury when the national team camped for the qualifier games.

Since Teferi took charge of Ethiopia, Panom is yet to receive a call-up to the national team. The 30-year-old midfielder’s last appearance for Ethiopia was in a 3-0 loss to Guinea in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.