Ethiopia is a football-crazed nation that has left a lasting impact on the sport, both on and off the field. Although it may not boast the title of the ‘Best Team,’ its journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
If you want to learn about Ethiopia’s football, including its origins, standout players, current lineup, intriguing stats, records, and future – we’ve got it all covered in this piece. So, join us as we take a comprehensive look at the Ethiopia Football National Team.
Ethiopia Football National Team History
Governed by the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), Ethiopia National Football team, also known as the Walia, kicked off its international journey officially in 1947. Nicknamed after the Walia Ibex, the team stands as a pioneer of international football on the continent. Having joined the federation in 1952, the EFF is one of the 211 nations that form part of FIFA. Additionally, the EFF stands as a founding member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), established in 1957, alongside Egypt, Sudan, and South Africa.
In 1957, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt competed in the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations organized by CAF, with Egypt rising as the winners. Furthermore, Ethiopia maintains a presence in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), which was established in 1973 and is the continent’s oldest sub-regional organization.
Ethiopia, a pioneer of football in the African region, has not won the Africa Cup of Nations since their first victory in 1962, despite the initial triumph coming as a surprise. Since then, they have only participated in eight of the 31 completed editions, getting knocked out in the group stages of each of those editions.
Moving to the CECAFA Cup, the oldest competition on the continent, the Walia has won this regional championship four times: 1981, 2001, 2004, and 2005.
Shimelis Bekele Godo is Ethiopia’s most capped player, having appeared in a phenomenal 81 matches. Getaneh Kebede Gabeto leads the scoring charts with 33 goals in international games.
Furthermore, Ethiopia is currently ranked 144th in the FIFA world rankings out of the 211 teams.
Ethiopia Football National Team Players
Here is the list of Ethiopia’s national football team players who are leading the country’s football charge with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents:
1. Seid Habtamu
Club: Adama City FC
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 5th April, 1998
2. Biniam Genetu
Club: Wolaitta Dicha SC
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 17th August, 2002
3. Abubeker Nuri
Club: Ethiopian Insurance FC
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 11th September, 2000
4. Mignot Debebe
Club: Fasil Kenema FC
Position: Centre-Back
Date of Birth: 2nd September, 1995
5. Yared Baye
Club: Bahir Dar Kenema FC
Position: Centre-Back
Date of Birth: 22nd January, 1995
6. Fetudin Jamal
Club: CBE SA
Position: Centre-Back
Date of Birth: 24th November, 1997
7. Million Solomon
Club: Hawassa Kenema FC
Position: Centre-Back
Date of Birth: 13th April, 1997
8. Ramadan Yesuf
Club: Saint George SA
Position: Left-Back
Date of Birth: 12th February, 2001
9. Yared Kassaye
Club: Ethiopian Insurance FC
Position: Left-Back
Date of Birth: 1st January, 2003
10. Alemberhane Yigezaw
Club: Fasil Kenema FC
Position: Right-Back
Date of Birth: 3rd January, 2001
11. Henok Adugna
Club: Saint George SA
Position: Right-Back
Date of Birth: 28th October, 1995
12. Gatoch Panom
Club: Fasil Kenema FC
Position: Defensive Midfield
Date of Birth: 12th June, 1994
13. Yeabsira Tesfaye
Club: Bahir Dar Kenema FC
Position: Central Midfield
Date of Birth: 7th January, 1998
14. Natnael Zeleke
Club: Saint George SA
Position: Central Midfield
Date of Birth: 5th March, 1995
15. Surafel Dagnachew
Club: Fasil Kenema FC
Position: Attacking Midfield
Date of Birth: 11th September, 1997
16. Canaan Markneh
Club: Defence Force Addis Abeba
Position: Attacking Midfield
Date of Birth: 30th March, 1998
17. Abel Yalew
Club: Saint George SA
Position: Left Winger
Date of Birth: 23rd March, 1996
18. Chernet Gugsa
Club: Bahir Dar Kenema FC
Position: Left Winger
Date of Birth: 13th September, 1999
19. Bereket Desta
Club: Defence Force Addis Abeba
Position: Left Winger
Date of Birth: 20th October, 2000
20. Wogene Gezahegn
Club: Ethiopian Insurance FC
Position: Left Winger
Date of Birth: 19th June, 2004
21. Amanuel Gebremichael
Club: Fasil Kenema FC
Position: Right Winger
Date of Birth: 5th February, 1999
22. Habtamu Tadesse
Club: Bahir Dar Kenema FC
Position: Centre-Forward
Date of Birth: 3rd November, 1999
23. Fitsum Tilahun
Club: Bahir Dar Kenema FC
Position: Centre-Forward
Date of Birth: 8th July, 2001
This lineup, led by the talented and persistent Gatoch Panom, has a huge challenge coming up in 2024. It has the potential to reshape the narrative for Ethiopian football.
Ethiopia Football National Team Matches
Ethiopia’s most recent clash took place on the 21st of November, 2023, against Burkina Faso in a World Cup Qualifiers match. It resulted in a 3-0 defeat for the Walia, marking their second game in the qualifiers. Their earlier qualifier fixture saw a draw against Sierra Leone, with a goalless scoreline at full-time.
In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualification, Ethiopia played six matches, securing a win, a draw, and four losses, ultimately missing out on the qualification for this year’s tournament.
Looking ahead, the Ethiopia National Team is gearing up for World Cup Qualifiers. On June 3, 2024, they are set to challenge Guinea-Bissau, followed by a match against Djibouti on June 10, 2024. These are the sole fixtures slated for the team in 2024 as of now.
Ethiopian Football National Team Stats
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:
- Matches Played: 50
- Wins: 11
- Draws: 15
- Losses: 25
- Goals For (GF): 52
- Goals Against (GA): 73
The Ethiopian Football National Team has yet to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, a feat they have been unable to achieve since becoming a federation member. However, they have played a total of 50 matches in their World Cup Qualifiers history, and their overall Qualifiers record looks something like this.
Africa Cup of Nations:
- Matches Played: 30
- Wins: 7
- Draws: 4
- Losses: 19
- Goals For (GF): 31
- Goals Against (GA): 67
In the Africa Cup of Nations, the team has participated in 11 out of 36 tournaments since its inception, winning only 30 games. Moreover, it has been 47 years since the team won a game in the Africa Cup of Nations, with their most recent win coming on February 29, 1976, when they defeated Uganda 2-0.
Turning to the CECAFA Cup, the Walia has clinched victory four times, with the most recent instance being in 2005.
Ethiopian Football National Team Records
As for the team records, Ethiopia’s below-par performance has resulted in some unwanted records. On the positive side, Ethiopia is the sixth joint-most successful nation in the Africa Cup of Nations and the fourth most in the CECAFA Cup. Now, onto the less-favorable records. Ethiopia holds the record for the longest gap between victories in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Walia last won a game in 1976.
Governing Body and Infrastructure
As mentioned earlier, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) serves as the governing body for football in the country. Established in 1943, Esayas Jira currently holds the position of President at the federation.
The EFF takes charge of organizing various domestic tournaments for both men and women. These include the Ethiopian Premier League, the Ethiopian Higher League (a second-tier competition), the Ethiopian First League (a third-tier competition), the Women’s Premier League, and a second-tier women’s competition as well. Additionally, the federation oversees the Ethiopian Cup and Super Cup, a competition contested between the Ethiopian Cup and Premier League winners.
Ethiopia Football uses Addis Ababa Stadium and Bahir Dar Stadium as its home facilities, with the Adey Ababa National Stadium currently under construction. The new stadium is expected to have world-class facilities and a seating capacity of 62,000 people, making it the largest stadium in the country.
Notable Players and Coaches
In the storied history of Ethiopian Football, certain players have left an indelible mark, creating magic with their play on the field. Foremost among them is Mengistu Worku, who played a vital role in the nation’s sole Africa Cup of Nations win in 1962 and is widely regarded as the country’s greatest Footballer of all time.
Another towering figure in Ethiopian football is Saladin Said, an emperor on the field, having scored 14 goals in just 28 matches throughout his career. Other notable names in Ethiopian football include Getaneh Kebede and Shimelis Bekele.
1. Mengistu Worku
Position: Forward
Clubs: Saint George
Matches Played: 26
Goals: 11
Achievements: Winner and Top Goal-Scorer of the 1962 Africa Cup of Nations
2. Saladin Said
Position: Forward
Clubs: Saint George, Wadi Degla, Lierse (loan), Al Ahly, MC Alger, Saint George, Jimma Aba Jifar, Sidama Coffee.
Matches Played: 28
Goals: 14
Achievements: Top Goal-Scorer for Ethiopia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifications
3. Shimelis Bekele
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Clubs: Hawassa City, Saint George, Ittihad Tripoli, Al-Merrikh, Petrojet, Misr Lel-Makkasa, El Gouna, ENPPI, Defence Force.
Matches Played: 81
Goals: 15
Achievements: Most Capped-Player
4. Getaneh Kebede
Position: Striker
Clubs: Dedebit, Bidvest Wits, University of Pretoria (loan), Dedebit, Saint George, Wolkite City, Fasil Kenema.
Matches Played: 66
Goals: 33
Achievements: Top Goal-Scorer
Sewnet Bishaw, a figure with a significant presence in Ethiopian Football, has made a tremendous impact despite his intermittent association with the team. Assuming the head coach role in 2004, he led the team to its fourth and final regional trophy in 2005.
Another notable figure in Ethiopian coaching history is Yidenkatchew Tessema, who is credited with leading the country to one of its most significant sporting achievements. Tessema coached Ethiopia to their historic and only Africa Cup of Nations victory.
In contrast, Gebremedhin Haile, a relatively new name, took over as head coach in 2023. Despite his recent appointment, Haile brings significant qualities to the post, raising hopes that he will guide the squad through its current struggles.
Fan Culture and Support
Football is by far the most popular sport in Ethiopia. The craze of sports in the country’s culture can be traced back to 1962 when they won the Africa Cup of Nations. The victory in 1962 sparked a newfound passion and increased interest in football in the nation. Despite the team’s struggle and its position as one of the weaker ones in the region, love and support for the Ethiopian national football team remain solid.
Challenges and Controversies
When we talk about the challenges and obstacles standing in the way of success, it’s definitely not the lack of talent in the country. The issue with Ethiopian football is the deeply rooted system from top to bottom.
Match-fixing has been on the rise in domestic competitions over the past few years. From managers to players, many have been suspected of fixing. What’s the solution to this problem? Ethiopia can only grow as a nation in football if the federation starts making tough decisions, beginning with removing controversial and corrupt individuals from top positions and taking strict actions against players and teams.
Future Outlook
While the current state of Ethiopian football may not appear very promising, there have been commendable efforts on a larger scale to bring about a positive shift. Each day presents a new opportunity for progress. As we approached the end of 2023, new initiatives like “FIFA Football for School” emerged, signifying the potential for different and promising beginnings in 2024. The FIFA also praised Ethiopia’s government for taking football and youth seriously, emphasizing the importance of football in the country.
As the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers approach, the Ethiopia Football National Team has an excellent opportunity to qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever. While obviously difficult, the task in question is far from impossible. The following qualifiers are a critical opportunity for Ethiopian football to imprint on the world stage significantly, which might transform Ethiopian football’s long-term trajectory.
What is the Ethiopia national football team known as?
The Ethiopia national football team is commonly referred to as Walias, after the Walia ibex, a species of goat that is native to the Ethiopian mountains.
How has the Ethiopia national football team performed in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)?
The Ethiopia national football team won the Africa Cup of Nations once, in 1962. Since then, their performances have been less successful, with intermittent qualifications for the tournament and often exiting in the early stages.
Who governs and manages the Ethiopia national football team?
The Ethiopia national football team is governed and managed by the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), which oversees all aspects of professional and amateur soccer in Ethiopia.
When did Ethiopia first participate in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and have they ever qualified for a FIFA World Cup?
Ethiopia first participated in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1966. As of my knowledge cutoff date, they have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup finals tournament.
What are some challenges faced by the Ethiopia national football team?
Challenges faced by the Ethiopia national football team include limited financial resources, infrastructure issues such as inadequate training facilities or stadiums, player development pathways needing improvement, and frequent changes in coaching staff leading to lack of continuity.
References and Additional Resources:
- “Ethiopian Football Federation.” FIFA. https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/ETH. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “Walia Ibex.” Animalia. https://animalia.bio/walia-ibex. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “Confederation of African Football.” CAF. https://www.cafonline.com/. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications.” Eurosport. https://www.eurosport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/2023/standings.shtml. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “CECAFA Cup.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CECAFA_Cup. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “Most Popular Sport in Ethiopia.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Ethiopia#:~:text=Football%20is%20the%20most%20popular,Cup%20of%20Nations%20in%201962. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “FIFA Secretary General Praises Ethiopia.” FIFA. https://www.fifa.com/news/secretary-general-praises-commitment-to-youth-as-football-for-schools. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026.” FIFA. https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/qualifiers. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “Africa Cup of Nations.” CAF. https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “Ethiopia FIFA World Cup’ 26 Qualification Games.” FIFA. https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/african-qualifying-results-fixtures-fifa-world-cup-26. (accessed February 5, 2024).
- “FIFA Rankings.” FIFA. https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ETH. (accessed February 5, 2024).
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