Ashenafi Girma, Biography, Stats, Records, & Facts

Ashenafi Girma is another name shining brightly in the pages of Ethiopian football history. Let’s take a look at the interesting life of Girma, from his legendary career to fantastic records to great post-retirement ventures.

Ashenafi Girma Biography

Originating from Dire Dawa and born on July 28, 1982, Ashenafi Girma fell in love with football as a child in Ethiopia. Primarily a midfielder, Girma made his senior debut at the age of 18 in 2000. During his period of fame, he represented six teams, including Ethiopian Coffee, Al Hilal Hudaydah, EPCO Ethio Electric Sports Club, Al-Shaab Hadramaut Club, along with Dire Dawa City. 

Girma’s talent and hunger for success led him to the country beyond Ethiopia, spending two years as a professional player in Yemen. He retired from professional football in 2016.

Ashenafi Girma Stats

Throughout his extended career, Ashenafi Girma demonstrated his talent and versatility in a number of clubs and competitions. As a midfielder, he contributed inventiveness and strategic thought to the pitch, which helped his sides succeed. Girma demonstrated consistency and skill in about 300 to 305 matches, garnering the love of fans and teammates alike. His goal-scoring record of about 80 to 85 goals reflects his talent and impact on the game. Girma’s statistics not only demonstrate his prowess but also his essential contributions to the teams he represented.

•             Clubs: Ethiopian Coffee/ Al Hilal Hudayda/ EEPCO/ Ethiopian Coffee/ Al-Sha’ab Hadramaut Club and Dire Dawa City.
•             Position: Mid-fielder
•             Matches: Approximately 300-305
•             Goals: Around 80-85

Ashenafi Girma Records

Girma is one of the very few players to have won a title in Yemen. He achieved this feat in 2005 with Al-Hudaydah.

Ashenafi Girma Facts

Aside from his achievements on the field, Girma’s talent and dedication earned him the prestigious Best Player of the Year award twice. He was also a standout member of the Ethiopian U-20 Team, whose outstanding performance helped the team qualify for the World Cup in Argentina in 2001. Girma’s commitment to using his platform for good was evident as he served as a UNICEF ambassador for Ethiopia from 2010 to 2012, further solidifying his impact both on and off the football field.

Ashenafi Girma’s Achievements and Awards

During his illustrious career, Girma achieved notable success by leading two clubs to victory: Ethiopian Coffee in 2003, where they clinched the Super Cup, and Al-Hilal Hudaydah in 2005, where they triumphed in the Yemeni President Cup. As mentioned, his outstanding performances also earned him the prestigious Player of the Year award not once but twice, solidifying his position as one of Ethiopia’s most talented and celebrated football players.

Ashenafi Girma International Experience

From 2002 to 2011, Girma represented the national team, bringing his skill and passion to the international stage, contributing to Ethiopia’s footballing legacy and inspiring future generations of players.

Conclusion

Ashenafi Girma’s dedication to the sport runs deep as he continues to make an impact on the game. Currently, he dedicates his time and effort to the Ashenafi Girma Soccer Academy in Canada, which he founded after retiring. He coaches over 100 future greats at the academy every week, teaching football skills and making an effort to make them responsible and good citizens.

Ashenafi Girma’s love for football has always been evident, but his commitment to this noble pursuit truly defines his character. Through unwavering determination to positively impact the lives of aspiring athletes, he guides and shapes the game’s future stars, and his reputation as a genuine advocate for football only flourishes.