AFCON 2021: Then Greats, Now Minnows; Can Ethiopia Revert Story?

Ethiopia, a one time feared African football – giant, is strategically located in the Horn of Africa. Its proximity to the Middle East and Europe, together with its easy access to the major ports of the region, enhances its international trade. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Somalia and Djibouti in the east, Eritrea in the north and Kenya in the south, but of all its neighbors, Ethiopia are the only nation to have won the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ethiopia was formerly one of Africa’s major forces, and played in every Africa Cup of Nations until the end of 1960. Ethiopia themselves won an AFCON tournament, in the 1962 edition, when they were the hosts. Since then, success started to fade from Ethiopia’s football and after 1982, Ethiopia waited until 2013, when the country qualified for the final tournament after a 31-year absence. Ethiopia has taken part in 10 out of the previous 32 AFCON competitions (with the finals in Cameroon set to be their 11th) participation. The Walias were second best in the inaugural competition in 1957, ended third in 1959, before ultimately being crowned champions in 1962, when they hosted and won. Ethiopia’s only other results worth note were in 1968 and 1970, when they ended fourth in both occasions.

The Journey

Now considered minnows on the continent, Ethiopia had a relatively tough qualifiers campaign, paired with heavyweights – Cote D’Ivoire, Madagascar and Niger.

Ethiopia made it out of the group as runners-up (9 points) behind Cote D’Ivoire with 13 points.

On 30th March, Ethiopia completed their qualification process for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, following an eight-year absence.

It took a goalless draw between Niger and Madagascar that helped Ethiopia to qualify in its group finishing in second place, despite their 3-1 away defeat to Cote D’Ivoire on the final day. Home wins against Madagascar, Cote D’Ivoire and Niger, sailed the East Africans through.

Ethiopia coach, Wobetu Abate is a former player who plied for Football Clubs; Pulp and Worket, before being forced to quit football owing to Injury, in the 90s.

After retirement, Abate moved into coaching. In 2007, following success with Adama City, Abate was hired as manager of Dedebit. In 2011, Abate guided Ethiopian Coffee to the 2010–11 Ethiopian Premier League title. Abate later had stints at Sudanese club Al-Ahly Shendi, before returning to Ethiopia, managing CBE, Hawassa City, Fasil Kenema and Sebeta City. On 25 September 2020, Abate was confirmed as Ethiopia’s manager, signing a two-year contract. He likes good ball circulation and always looks to extend the pitch with his players attempting long – range passes.

Star players

Ethiopia have as an arsenal, in their skipper – Getaneh Kebede, aged 29. The erstwhile Bidvest Wits striker, who was named highest goal scorer in the Ethiopian League in 2013, still very much has his scoring cleats on. Kabede has scored 23 times in 44 appearances for Ethiopia, slotting in five this 2021, with the most recent coming on Nov. 11 against Ghana, in the WC qualifiers.

Youngster Aboubaker Nasir Ahmed has equally been sensational for coach Wobetu and his team. The 21 year old is sharp, making runs from the wings and helps out a great deal in defense, when needed. A piece of Aboubaker magic could be seen in his goal in Ethiopia’s last group D, WC qualifiers game against Zimbabwe. The Ethiopian coffee winger is right on queue for the young player of the tournament, if he accelerates and turns the after- burners, just like he did all through the qualifiers.

Attacking midfeilder – Shemelis Bekele, 31, has a huge footballing IQ and thrives in space. A yard away and prolly another replica of Mesut Ozil with one touch passing is awaited. The creative midfeilder who plays for El Gouna in the Egyptian Premier League, scored a vital goal in Ethiopia’s 2-1 win over Cote D’Ivoire in the first leg of the qualifiers.

Ethiopia are paired in group A, and they will be looking to turn from outsiders to insiders against a tough trio of: Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde. Ethiopia start their campaign against Cape Verde on January 9, at 9 pm local time.