The coach who parachuted out of nowhere to claim popular side Ethiopia Bunna hot seat, Temesgen Dana heralded that he is here to help the side win long eluded Premier League title. “I am here for nothing but to bring home the championship trophy” Temesgen told the sellout crowd gathered at AbebeBikila stadium to welcome the club’s newly signed footballers.
The transfer of golden boy AbubekerNaser to South African Sundown, the termination of coach KassyeArage followed by the departure of midfielder Tafesse Solomon and winger William Solomon, Ethiopia Bunna faces a challenging transition under little known Temesgen who boasts just two brief spells with Debub Police and WolkiteKetema.
With the rumor that national coach Wubetu Abate might take over the hot seat for his second spell vapor into thin air, Temesgen has now carried the burden of steering the club to a better position than his predecessor KasayeArage who booted out after a fiasco three seasons.
Temesgen, currently in a preseason preparation at Adama, has signed more than twelve new faces including a foreign defender from Ghana. The tall defender KuwakuDuha is the first foreign player to join Ethiopia Bunna since three years.
Midfielder AbdulhafizTofik, central defense W/AmanuelPutu and full back H/Michael Adeferes from Sebeta, striker ChalaTeshita and midfielder AbdulkerimWorku from Wolkite, strikers BerukBeyene and MesfinTafesse from Hawasa are of the few to mention the new faces at Ethiopia Bunna.
In the meantime the team appointed former star player TafesseTesfaye as deputy team leader while YosefTesfaye and NetsnetFikre named assistant and goalkeeper coaches respectively. The guy from UK Mikael Hailu also joined the side as Physical Trainer.
Little known Temesgen to lead Ethiopia Bunna to the future
Amhara Bank sponsors inaugural football competition
Amhara Bank which recently joined the financial market with its ‘Beyond Financing’ motto has become a title sponsor for a football competition that will be hosted at Bahir Dar.
According to the bank, the competition which will be held for the first time will have an immense value to the society.
The maiden tournament which is called ‘Amhara Bank- Tanna Cup’ was organized in collaboration with the Youth and Sport Division of the city and Gofere Sport Events and will host clubs from the Premier League and other African countries.
The bank assured that it will continue to work as per its motto in addition to supporting social activities besides its banking operation.
Amhara Bank commenced its operation in June this year with 6.5 billion birr in subscribed capital. Currently, it operates 110 branches that will soon reach 150 by October 10, 2022.
Wubetu leads Ethiopia to the 3rd edition CHAN Cup final
Ethiopia booked its place at CHAN cup final third edition after an aggregate victory over rival Rwanda. Algeria will host the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in January.
Thanks to Walia Ibex’s super striker Dawa Hutessa’s first half splendid goal from a free kick, Ethiopia joined the 18 Nations exclusive party in Algeria after an aggregate 1-0 win over Rwanda.
The return leg in Rwanda-Kigali was considered a heavy burden after the two teams shared the spoils with a goalless draw in the first leg in Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam. But the second leg in the fully packed Huye stadium turned out in favor of Ethiopia after Dawa Hutessa’s 22nd minute winning goal from a free kick.
In high moral ground for steering Ethiopia back into the African Nations Cup final after eight years, Head Coach Wubetu Abate achieved the unprecedented feat of helping Ethiopia qualify for a back to back CAF and CHAN cup finals.
Though the two key players who played the key roles in helping Ethiopia qualify to the Cup of Nations, Egypt based Shimeles Bekele and South Africa based Abubaker Naser are absent from the squad, Wubetu did more than a good job bringing new talents to the pool thus a remarkable success for the country’s football.
The victory also avenged Ethiopia’s defeat to Rwanda in the final round of qualifying tie for CHAN 2020. Rwanda progressed to the tournament after beating Ethiopia 2-1 on aggregate.
Algeria will host the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in January bringing together 18 countries in the tournament that is exclusively reserved for players plying their trade in their country’s domestic league, unlike the AFCON tournament which is free for all.
Atenafu Alemu appointed national U-23 Head Coach
Ethiopian Football Federation has appointed Atenafu Alemu as Head Coach for Ethiopian national U-23 team. Hardly a club coach since his sacking from Ethio-Electric Club four years back, Atnafu’s appointment was questioned by many including the Professional Footballers Association.
The former national team assistant Atnafu’s immediate task at hand is to form the Ethiopian U-23 squad ahead of the coming African U-23 first round two leg qualification matches against Democratic Republic Congo. Despite the qualification matches are just two weeks away Atnafu signed a one year contract promising to bring about the best of a squad capable of progressing to the group stage.
In his first interview to the media Atnafu boldly outlined his mission at hand as regards developing young players. “I am here for a mission therefore despite the short period of time for preparation and many of the players already in club preseason campaign; I will give it all my best shot.” Atenafu suggested.
Though Atnafu announced a thirty-two players short list of players called to camp a week before, there are still number of players that are not yet reported to camp. “I believe the clubs are more than willing to send the players for it is all about representing one’s country in such big stage” AtnafuAlemu.
Morocco is the host country of the U23 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled November 2-26, 2023.
