Ethiopian Football News Roundup – August 16

Ethiopian U17 Coach Temesgen Dana shares his thoughts regarding the CECAFA U17 Competition

CECAFA U17 competition, which is also a regional qualifier for AFCON, is taking place in Tanzania. The Ethiopian national team managed to win both of its games and sits top of the pile with 6 points and +5 goal difference.

Coach Temesgen Dana was speaking to Soccer Ethiopia about his team and the competition:

“We only had 6 days to prepare for the tournament. Our good results were a result of the desire and commitment of the players.”

Regarding the age of players:

“All of our players managed to pass the MRI exam. That helped us to fully concentrate on the games and not be distracted by issues like this. Our medical committee did a great job in this regard.”

About winning the tournament:

“We are not thinking about that now. What matters is keeping our good form and concentrating on the next game.”

The next game for Team Red Fox will be on Sunday against South Sudan.

Nominees for EBC Sports Award unveiled

On Tuesday Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporate unveiled its nominees for the second installment of the EBC Sports award.

The award is given to best performing Male and female footballers as well as athletes based on their performances within the Ethiopian calendar year. The award is intended to motivate the winners and by doing so the organizers of the award hope to play a role in the development of the country’s two major sports.

The nominees for best male footballer of the year award are:

– Temesgen Gebrekidan
– Canaan Markneh
– Yehun Endeshaw
– Abdulkerim Mohammed
– Henok Adugna
– Amanuel Gebremikael
– Addis Gidey
– Amanuel Yohannes
– Mulualem Mesfin and
– Menyelu Wondemu

The nominees for best female footballer of the year award are:

– Merekat Feleke
– Loza Abera
– Hiwot Dengiso
– Aregash Kalsa
– Senaf Wakuma
– Birtukan Gebrekrestos
– Emebet Addisu
– Senayit Bogale
– Alemnesh Geremew

Ethiopian Football Federation meets with Ethiopian Super League clubs

The Ethiopian Football Federation had a discussion with second division sides regarding the prerequisites needed to be fulfilled in stadiums:

– The pitch should completely be covered with grass.
– There should be appropriate changing rooms for match officials and players.
– There should be sits for viewers.
– There should be a fence separating the fans from the pitch.
– Objects that can be used for violence like stones should completely be cleared.

Clubs that won’t fulfill these requirements will not be able to host games in their home grounds.

Wolwalo Stadium undergoing changes

Wolwalo Adigrat University’s stadium is one of the most controversial grounds in the league. The pitch is not completely covered with grass and is not well suited to host games. Coaches and Players have been voicing their discontent regarding the poor condition of the pitch throughout the season.

The club is now in the process of making changes to the ground. Project manager Gebregziabher Tekalegn has told Soccer Ethiopia that there were studies made before the work was started and that the pitch is now being made ready for the next step of covering it with grass. There will also be changes made to the stands and the rest of the stadium.