Welwalo Adigrat University F.C.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by EthioInfo (talk | contribs) at 21:27, 24 September 2018. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Welwalo Adigrat University F.C.
File:Welwalo Adigrat Univeristy.jpg
Full nameWelwalo Adigrat University Football Club
Founded2011
GroundAdigrat Stadium
Adigrat, Ethiopia
Capacity10,000
ManagerEthiopia Tsegaye Kidanemariam
LeagueEthiopian Premier League
2018–1913th

Welwalo Adigrat University FC is an Ethiopian football club based in Adigrat, Ethiopia. They play in the Ethiopian Premier League, the top division of Ethiopian football.

History

Welwalo Adigrat University FC was promoted to the Ethiopian Premier League for the first time after the end of the 2016-17 season.[1] Welwalo Adigrat is funded as part of Adigrat University, a public institution.[2]

The club began as the official football team of Adigrat University, called themselves Welwalo, and competing in gold and black colors. The Welwalo initially participated in Group A of the Higher league (also known as the Ethiopian Super League), the second tier of Ethiopian football, before being promoted to the Ethiopian Premier League after the 2016-17 season.[1]

Ethiopian Premier League

After a slow start to the season falling to 10th place in the premier league, the team sacked their manager Berhane GebreEgziabher. Former Arba Minch manager Tsegaye Kidanemariam was hired in his place.[3] In a match versus Fasil Kenema (K/Mariam's first match as manager), the Welwalo goalkeeper Zewedu Mesfin gained much attention for an infamous play in which he accidentally threw the ball into his own net.[4] The own goal ended being the deciding factor in the match with Welwalo dropping all 3 points in 1-0 scoreline.[5]

On April 30th, 2018 the club was involved in an altercation during a game against Defense Force S.C. that ultimately led to a member of the Welwalo coaching staff physically attacking the referee.[6] Although all involved avoided serious injury after altercation the incident prompted the Ethiopian football federation to suspend the entire league upon further review of the situation, calling for an emergency meeting for the following Thursday.[7]

Grounds

Welwalo Adigrat University FC plays its home games at Adigrat Stadium in the city of Adigrat in the northern Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Notably the field they play on was grass-less during their inaugural 2017-18 Ethiopian Premier League season.[8] In August of 2018, it was announced that Adigrat Stadium would undergo renovations which would install a new grass field as well as new seating in the stands.[9]

Derby

The club plays in the Tigray derby with fellow Tigray Region club Mekelle City FC. The derby enjoys relatively large attendances.

Former Managers

  • Ethiopia Berhane GebreEgziabher

Players

Current Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
- GK Ethiopia ETH Bereket Amare
- GK Ethiopia ETH Zewedu Mesfin
1 GK Ethiopia ETH Yohanis
2 DF Ethiopia ETH Enyew Kassahun
21 DF Ethiopia ETH Bereket Tessema
- DF Ethiopia ETH Tesfaye Dibaba
- DF Ethiopia ETH Robel Girma
- -- Ethiopia ETH Lament Azonto
- DF Ethiopia ETH Robel Asrat
- MF Ethiopia ETH Birhanu Ashamo
- DF Ethiopia ETH Desta Demu
- FW Ethiopia ETH Ephrem Ashamo
- MF Ethiopia ETH Asrat Megersa
10 MF Ethiopia ETH Birhanu Bogale
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 MF Ethiopia ETH Afework Hailu
5 MF Ethiopia ETH Asari Almehadi
16 MF Ethiopia ETH Walelegn Gebre
25 FW Burkina Faso BFA Prince Severniho
- FW Ethiopia ETH Mulualem Tilahun
2 FW Ghana GHA Richmond Adongo
7 FW Ethiopia ETH Kedir Saleh
17 FW Ghana GHA Frederick Boateng
- Ethiopia ETH Ephrem Hailat
- Ethiopia ETH Samson Teka
- FW Ethiopia ETH Dawit Fekadu

References

  1. ^ a b Tolesa, Dawit (July 22, 2017). "Jimma, Mekele, Welwalo earn EPL promotion". The Reporter Ethiopia. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. ^ "Football Renaissance in Tigray". aigaforum.com. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  3. ^ Samson, Michael (February 26, 2018). "Welwalo appoints former Arbaminch boss Tsegaye". Capital Ethiopia. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  4. ^ Gonzalez, Roger (Mar 27, 2018). "Goalkeeper in Ethiopia throws ball into his own net, tries to act like it never happened". cbs sports. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. ^ "Goalkeeper in Ethiopia Throws Ball Into Own Net, Acts Like Nothing Happened". sputniknews. March 28, 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  6. ^ "Referee attacked by Ethiopian footballers for goal decision". BBC. May 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "Ethiopian premier league suspended after referee attacked by players and coach". RT. May 3, 2018.
  8. ^ Taddele, Omna (November 6, 2017). "Brilliant Fasil Came from Two Goals Down to Hold Welwalo". Soccer Ethiopia. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ Tesfaye, Amih (August 14, 2018). "የወልዋሎ ሜዳን ሳር የማልበስ ስራ ተጀምሯል". Soccer Ethiopia.