Ethiopian national team former assistant coach Seyoum Kebede has appointed national U-20 Juniors team head coach ahead of the coming East African U-20 championship cup final. The cup finalists would book a place in African U-20 Championship representing the region.
Despite having number of Junior side coaches currently engaged in national tournaments, the appointment of Seyoum who had been unemployed since his sacking from Wolayta two seasons back left critics by sheer surprise. “Why Seyoum who had been far from Juniors’ soccer came out of the blue to take the mantle?” Remarked one critic. “Since he never been in the follow-ups of the Juniors’ tournament how could he be in a position to select the squad?” sugested another.
Nevertheless following his appointment by Ethiopian Football Federation, the former Ethiopan national team assistant Seyoum immediately named his two assistants. Ethiopia Bunna Junior team coach Abiy Kassahun and little known Amsalu Esmelealem are Seyoum’s lieutenants whereas a goalkeeper coach has not yet named.
It took no time for Seyoum to announce a 38 players short list to report at Kaleb Hotel where preparation to kick-started for the tournament that brings together nine East and Central African countries.
Ethiopian premier league newly crowned champion Ethiopia NegedBank contributed the highest number of players five while Ethiopia Bunna represented by four players. Three players each from Ethio-Electric and Diredawa whereas Welwalo, Kidus Giorgis and Mechal represented each by two players.
The Ethiopian U-20 national side drawn in Group “B” along with Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan while the host nation Tanzania, Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan and Rwanda are in Group ” A”. Uganda is the hottest favourite to win the championship title while Tanzania is much expected to claim the runners-up spot.
