Ethiopia national football team

Ethiopia

Nickname(s)	The Black Lions
Association	Ethiopian Football Federation
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Captain	Sewnet Bishaw
Home stadium	Addis Ababa Stadium
FIFA code	ETH
FIFA ranking	137
Highest FIFA ranking	85 (December 1992)
Lowest FIFA ranking	155 (December 2001)
Elo ranking	127
Highest Elo ranking	59 (May 1947)
Lowest Elo ranking	143 (September 2010)
Home colours Away colours
First international
Ethiopia 5–0 French Somaliland (Ethiopia; 5 December 1947)
Biggest win
French Somaliland 2–10 Ethiopia (French Somaliland; 1 May 1954)
Biggest defeat
Iraq 13–0 Ethiopia (Jordan; 18 August 1992)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	9 (First in 1957)
Best result	Winners; 1962

The Ethiopia national football team represents Ethiopia in association football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia. Ethiopia's home ground is Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa and the position of head coach currently remains vacant as former head coach Tom Saintfiet resigned.

It was one of only three teams (along with Egypt and Sudan) to participate in the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations in 1957. Ethiopia won the competition in 1962 when it was the host, but success has been elusive since the end of the 1960s.

History

Early days

Ethiopia has a long football tradition and was among the pioneers of international competition in Africa, playing its first international match in 1947, defeating a French Somaliland selection 5–0. The EFF affiliated to FIFA in 1953 and to the Confederation of African Football in 1957. The team took part in the inaugural African Nations Cup in 1957, when they finished second, and in 1959. Ethiopia entered the 1962 World Cup qualification, where they played against Israel. The team lost both games, 2-4 on aggregate, being knocked out of the competition. They won the African tournament on home soil, in 1962. Nine countries entered the competition, including the reigning champions United Arab Republic, meaning for the first time a qualification tournament was required. As with previous tournaments, the finals only included four teams. United Arab Republic, as holders, and Ethiopia as hosts, qualified automatically meaning each needed to play only one game to reach the final. Ethiopia won the tournament for the first time after extra time in the final. Mengistu Worku and Abdelfattah Badawi both had three goals each, but the award itself was given to Worku because his team had won the title. This was the greatest feat ever achieved by the Ethiopian National team, and the only African Cup of Nations title they have ever won. Luciano Vassalo was the team's captain, and the coach was Slavko Milosevic.

In 1963 African Cup of Nations they finished fourth, after losing the third place battle against United Arab Republic. 1965 African Cup of Nations was a disappointment for Ethiopia, as national team was eliminated in group phase by Tunisia and Senegal, finishing at the bottom of group, with only one scored goal.

Next African Cup of Nations was in 1968, again on home soil, and the team won third place after losing to Ivory Coast. But two years later, the team went through real disaster, as they finished at the bottom of the group phase, with goal difference 3-12. The worse was yet to come for Ethiopia as they didn't qualify for the 1972 African Cup of Nations at all, losing to Kenya in the qualifying tournament, 0-3 aggregate. Almost the same thing happened for the 1974 African Cup of Nations. This time they were eliminated by Tanzania.

Ethiopia hosted the Nations Cup tournament in 1976, but failed to progress to the final four, finishing third in the group, behind Guinea and Egypt. In 1977, they played Mauritius in the qualifiers for the 1978 African Cup of Nations. After 4-2 win on aggregate, they had to play Uganda. After 0-0 from the first match, Uganda won the second match, 2-1, and progressed to the final tournament. They also missed 1980 African Cup of Nations. Ethiopia last qualified for the tournament in 1982, under coach Mengistu Worku, legendary former player.

Recent times

In the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers, Ethiopians missed out on qualification by 3 points, losing their final game in Guinea.

Next challenge was 2004 CECAFA Cup. There were 9 teams from around Eastern Africa: Burundi, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Somalia. Ethiopia defeated Burundi twice, and beat Zanzibar, Tanzania and Kenya and finished with 4 wins 2 draws and 0 losses. Ethiopia made it to the final in Addis Ababa and won the cup in a dramatic nailbiting penalty shootout. Captain of the team was Zewdu Bekele, and the coach Asrat Haile. That night people all across Addis Ababa sang and danced in the streets as Ethiopia were the champions.

National team was the champion of same competition again in 2005, in Kigali, Rwanda. Coach was Sewenet Bishaw. After 0-0 with Uganda and 3-1 victory over Sudan, Ethiopia trashed Djibouti 6-0 again, then beat Somalia 3-1. Semi-finals saw Ethiopia whip Zanzibar 4-0, with Fikru Tefera scoring hat-trick. In the final match, Ethiopia took the cup with a 1-0 win over Rwanda. Scorer was Andualem Nigussie.

At 2007 CECAFA Cup Ethiopian team was out of tournament very early, after tying with the Sudanese team. Both a loss (against Zanzibar) and a draw (against Sudan) was enough to eliminate the Ethiopian team and after a long fight, and despite star Fikru Tefera's call up, Ethiopia couldn’t produce a goal. Being kicked out of the tournament early, the young and inexperienced Ethiopian squad faced a more uncertain future.

In the 2008 African Nations Cup qualifiers, Ethiopia finished bottom of their group after losing their last two games.

In July 2008 the FIFA Emergency Committee has decided to suspend the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) due to the non-compliance of the EFF with the roadmap agreed in February 2008 by FIFA, CAF and the EFF in order to normalise the situation of the federation. One of the main points established by the roadmap was the organisation of an extraordinary general assembly to deal with the motion of dismissal. In addition, the EFF offices were to be handed over to the recognised leadership of the association. Despite several reminders sent by FIFA in recent months, none of the steps established in the roadmap have been taken. The suspension of the EFF and the consequences provided for in article 14, paragraph 3 of the FIFA Statutes came into force on July 29, 2008, the day on which the federation has been officially notified of its suspension.

Ethiopia played four matches in group in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, before FIFA announced the immediate suspension of the Ethiopian Football Federation on 29 July 2008. On 12 September 2008, FIFA excluded the EFF from the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and the results of their matches were cancelled. Their failure to complete the remaining fixtures effectively eliminated them from the tournament. Ethiopia was suspended from international competitions following the sacking of the country's football federation president Ashebir Woldegiorgis by the countries authorities.

Team missed 2008 CECAFA Cup due to FIFA suspension.

In July 2009 World soccer's governing body, FIFA, has reinstated Ethiopia after organising an extraordinary general meeting under the guidance of FIFA, and electing new leaders. FIFA's executive committee voted at a meeting in May to lift the suspension, provided that EFF organised and chaired an elective general assembly. FIFA confirmed that it was satisfied with the election.

At the 2009 CECAFA Cup Ethiopia defeated Djibouti 5-0 in the opening game in the group stages of the regional tournament, but lost to Zambia and Kenya, thus finishing third and being knocked out of the tournament.

On the 2010 CECAFA Challenge Cup, in Tanzania, The Walias were drawn in Group C with Uganda, Kenya and Malawi. After the defeat against Uganda, Ethiopia beat Kenya and made a draw against Malawi. Next opponent was Zambia, and Ethiopia won 2-1. In semi-finals they lost to Ivory Coast. In a third-place battle they lost 3-4 against Uganda. Tournament’s star players and goal scorers were Shemeles Bekele of Awassa City and Oumed Oukri of Defence Force. The Walias, have exceeded fans’ expectations by reaching the semi-final stage.

In April 2011 Ethiopian Football Federation has sacked national coach Iffy Onuora just 9 months after he took charge of the Ethiopian national football team following the team’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Nigerian Green Eagles in Group B of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja. The Ethiopian national team played 11 matches during coach Onuora’s tenure, winning 4, drawing in 1 and losing 6 matches. The team scored 12 goals and conceded 21 goals In those matches.

In May 2011 Ethiopia have appointed former Zimbabwe and Namibia manager Tom Saintfiet as coach in place of Iffy Onuora.

However, Tom Saintfiet left his job as Ethiopia national soccer coach after just five months, citing broken promises for his departure. Saintfiet had been in charge for three African Nations Cup qualifiers, including a 2-2 draw with Nigeria that contributed to the Super Eagles missing out on African Nations Cup qualification.

The Ethiopian national soccer team advanced to the CAF group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Somalia.

Ethiopia joined South Africa, Botswana and Central African Republic in Group A.

Competition records

World Cup record

• 1930 to 1954 – Did not enter
• 1958 – Entry not accepted by FIFA
• 1962 – Did not qualify
• 1966 – Did not enter
• 1970 to 1986 – Did not qualify
• 1990 – Did not enter
• 1994 – Did not qualify
• 1998 – Did not enter
• 2002 to 2006 – Did not qualify
• 2010 – Disqualified

African Nations Cup record

1957 – Second place 1959 – Third place 1962 – Champions 1963 – Fourth place 1965 – Round 1 1968 – Fourth place 1970 – Round 1 1972 to 1974 – Did not qualify 1976 – Round 1 1978 to 1980 – Did not qualify 1982 – Round 1 1984 – Did not qualify 1986 – Withdrew 1988 – Withdrew during qualifying 1990 – Did not qualify 1992 – Withdrew during qualifying 1994 to 1998 – Did not qualify 2000 – Withdrew 2002 to 2008 – Did not qualify 2010 – Disqualified 2012 – Did not qualify

Achievements

CECAFA Cup :

• 4 times Champion (1987, 2001, 2004, 2005)
• 1 time third place finish (2000)
• 1 time fourth place finish (1995, 2011)

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

Date	Location	Opponent	Score	Scorers for Ethiopia	Competition
March 27, 2011	Abuja, Nigeria	Nigeria	0 – 4	N/A	2012 CAF Qualifying
May 28, 2011	Addis Abeba, Ethiopia	Sudan	1 – 2	Chala Diriba	Friendly
June 5, 2011	Addis Abeba, Ethiopia	Nigeria	2 – 2	Saladin Said 45', 50'	2012 CAF Qualifying
September 4, 2011	Conakry, Guinea	Guinea	0 – 1	N/A	2012 CAF Qualifying
October 4, 2011	Addis Abeba, Ethiopia	Malawi	0 – 0	N/A	Friendly
October 8, 2011	Addis Abeba, Ethiopia	Madagascar	4 – 2	Oumed Oukri 31', Adane Girma 56', Fikru-Teferra Lemessa 59', Shimelis Bekele 73'	2012 CAF Qualifying

2012 African Cup of Nations (Qualification)

Main article: 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Group B

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Guinea	6	4	2	0	13	5	+8	14
Nigeria	6	3	2	1	12	5	+7	11
Ethiopia	6	2	1	3	8	13	−5	7
Madagascar	6	0	1	5	4	14	−10	1

Current squad

Caps and goals as of 12 December 2011.
Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of Birth (Age) Caps Goals Club 1 GK Jemal Tassew 27 April 1989 (1989-04-27) 3 0 Dedebit 16 GK Yidnekatchew Kidane 31 October 1989 (1989-10-31) 6 0 Defence F.C. 22 GK Binyam Habtamu 13 January 1986 (1986-01-13) 10 0 Saint George FC 3 DF Berhanu Bogale 27 February 1986 (1986-02-27) 5 0 Dedebit 4 DF Abebaw Butako 2 March 1983 (1983-03-02) 19 0 Saint George FC 5 DF Aynalem Hailu 12 October 1986 (1986-10-12) 9 0 Defence F.C. 6 DF Alula Girma 15 July 1993 (1993-07-15) 16 0 Saint George FC 12 DF Degu Debebe (C) 19 March 1984 (1984-03-19) 37 0 Saint George FC 13 DF Mengistu Assefa 7 January 1988 (1988-01-07) 13 0 Dedebit 2 MF Shemeles Bekele 17 October 1990 (1990-10-17) 15 6 Saint George FC 8 MF Tesfaye Alebachew 27 August 1988 (1988-08-27) 15 1 Saint George FC 14 MF Menyahel Teshome 14 November 1985 (1985-11-14) 1 0 Ethiopian Coffee 15 MF Yared Zenabu 22 June 1989 (1989-06-22) 17 0 Saint George FC 18 MF Asrat Megersa 17 April 1978 (1978-04-17) 4 0 EEPCO 7 FW Saladin Said 29 October 1989 (1989-10-29) 9 5 Wadi Degla FC 9 FW Getaneh Kebede 2 April 1992 (1992-04-02) 7 3 Dedebit 11 FW Oumed Oukri 5 December 1990 (1990-12-05) 19 9 Defence F.C. 17 FW Fikru Tefera 24 January 1986 (1986-01-24) 25 7 KuPS Kuopio 19 FW Adane Girma 25 June 1985 (1985-06-25) 26 4 Saint George FC 20 FW Chala Driba 20 February 1981 (1981-02-20) 1 1 Defence F.C.

List of coaches

Jiri Starosta (1959) Slavko Milošević (1961) Ydnekatchew Tessema (1962) Slavko Milošević (1962) Luciano Vassalo (1969–1970) Peter Schnittger (1974–1976) Mengistu Worku (1982, 1987) Klaus Ebbinghausen (1989) Kassahun Teka (1992–1993) Gebregiorgis Getahun (1993-?) Seyoum Abate (1998 - 2000) Asrat Haile (2001) Jochen Figge (August 2002 – May 2003)

Asrat Haile (May 2003 - September 2003, caretaker) Seyoum Kebede (September 2003 - October 2003) Asrat Haile (November 2003 – December 2004) Sewnet Bishaw (2004–September 2006) Seyoum Abate (October 2006) Diego Garzitto (November 2006-February 2007) Tesfaye Fetene (April 2007) Tsegaye Desta (June 2007) Abraham Teklehaymanot (April 2008 –2010) Iffy Onoura (July 2010 – April 2011) Tom Saintfiet (May 2011 – October 2011) Sewnet Bishaw (November 2011-)

External links

• Ethiopia at National-Football-Teams.com.
• Ethiosports.com
• Ethiopia - Guinea clashes, history
• Ethiopia CECAFA 2004 Champions
• Ethiopia - Djibouti CECAFA 2009
• Ethiopia - Kenya 0-3
• Ethiopia - Kenya 0-3 2
• Ethiopia - Guinea ACN qualifiers
• Ethiopia - Guinea ACN qualifiers 2
• Ethiopia - Kenya CECAFA 2010
• Ethiopia - Zambia CECAFA 2010
• Ethiopia - Sudan CECAFA 2011
• Ethiopia - Malawi CECAFA 2011