Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) secretary general Bahiru Tilahun and national team head coach Mesay Teferi said star striker Abubakar Nassir is ready and healthy to face Egypt on Friday in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group A game. Nassir returned to the Ethiopian team roster following a two-year hiatus due to injury.
Nassir, 25, signed for SuperSport United in South Africa on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns but he is yet to make an appearance. His call up raised eyebrows in Ethiopian football as he is not actively playing. Tilahun affirmed the former Ethiopian Coffee forward is fit to play:
“We have spoken with Nassir’s coach (Gavin Hunt). Hunt told us that Nassir will help us a lot. He started in some practice matches for his club and he is fit. He is training well so he is in a good shape.”
Teferi similarly echoed the same sentiment as his charges gear up to face group leaders Egypt. “We were communicating with Nassir. We checked his health status. He is doing well so far so we have called him. Because he supports the team. His experience is what made us call him. If he is healthy, he is a very good player.”
Nassir last played for the Waliyas in their famous 2-0 win over Egypt in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Malawi. His frequent injury scares pushed him out of active football for a long period of time. Teferi will be hoping Nassir’s introduction to the national side will boost the forward line as Ethiopia struggled to get goals in recent years.
Ethiopia are fifth in Group A with three points as they prepare to face a star-studded Egypt side.
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