First-ever triple hat trick in Ethiopian premier league first-round fixtures, Abubakar Nasser appeared in sheer determination to break all-time highest scorer Getaneh Kebede’s record. Mujib Kasim stands far second followed by Getaneh Kebede even further.
His third hat trick over Adama ketema followed by a braid over Wolkite, fast-rising to stardom Abubakar took his goal tally to 19 fast riding to overrun the five years 26 goals record held by Kidus Giorgis striker Getaneh Kebede. Just a rookie at Ethiopia Bunna, yet as deadly as mid-day Cobra Abubaker scored 19 goals in thirteen matches that is an incredible 1.46 goals per game comparing Getaneh’s 26 goals in 30 fixtures.
Hardly to find the back of the net in the last three matches, Fasil Ketema’s goal machine Mujib Kasim stands second in the roster with 12 goals.
Record champions St George’s target man Getaneh Kebede stands third with ten goals in his name. Despite St George’s poor form sitting third in the table, twice former EPL top scorer of the season Getaneh is doing everything possible to catch up the runaway leading scorer Abubaker Naser.
Seven goals under his belt Baherdar’s Fitsum Alemu comes next in the roaster followed by Sebeta’s Fetsum G/Mariam, Adama’s Abdisa Jemal and Diredawa’s Muhedin Musa each with six goals.
Despite lesser number of clubs (13) comparing to previous seasons, the total number of goals in the record are turning up impressive. According to critics DSTV’s transmission of live coverage of Ethiopian Football could be the reason behind for it created powerful inspiration for the players.
Ethiopia Bunna’s Abubakar making history
Fasil Ketema in the clear for first ever EPL title
Just one defeat so far in the season “The Emperors” are emerging clear favorites to win the BetKing Ethiopian Premier League title. Five matches without a defeat Ethiopia Bunna is mounting a huge title contention while St George is sleepwalking far from the crown.
The league leaders Fasil Ketema appears the most organized and consistent side of the season with ten wins, two draws and one defeats. 32 points from 13 matches conceding ten while scoring twenty-five goals. Currently, it is only up to Fasil to throw away the championship title. Though the club’s leading scorer Mujib Kasim appeared to go slump recently, things turned out not bad thus Seyoum Kebede’s Fasil the clear favorite to the title.
Demolishing bottom of the table Adama Ketema 4-1 in the final fixture of the first round, consistently inconsistent Ethiopia Bunna finished second in the table with 24 points from seven wins, three draws and two defeats. Whether the revelation of the season Abubaker Nasser with 17 goals in 13 matches could shoulder the heavy burden of steering Bunna to its recent time first ever title is yet to be seen.
Sleepwalkers St George’s misery resume as they lost 1-0 to league leaders Fasil Ketema in the latest showdown. “The Horse Riders” appeared to have no one in command of the ship currently swaying this way or the other. Eight points adrift top of the roaster and South African makeshift coach Mahir Davids’ oblivious of what to do to turn the bad fate of St George’s title dream that appeared to come to an end.
Billionaire Motsepe to emerge CAF President with rivals set to withdraw
South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe appears to be the favorite to take over as Confederation of African Football (CAF) President amid reports that rival candidates have agreed to step aside from standing in the election.
Reports have claimed Senegal’s Augustin Senghor and Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya have agreed to end their campaigns to become CAF President. The duo will now back Motsepe, which will lead to the pair being named CAF vice-presidents.
The three officials are currently standing in the CAF Presidential election alongside Motsepe. Gaitho reported that the meeting involved representatives of FIFA and saw discussions held over the candidates supporting Motsepe’s candidacy.
According to Abdoulaye Thiam, President of the Senegalese Sports Press Association, Anouma will be named as an advisor to Motsepe. Should Senghor and Yahaya withdraw to support Motsepe, the South African appears poised to become the next CAF President. Motsepe is the current owner of South African Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns, who were crowned winners of the CAF Champions League in 2016. He is also the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals.
It is remembered that a close source to one of the candidates disclosed FIFA have asked three candidates to back South Africa’s billionaire Patrice Motsepe in the upcoming Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidential election.
The previous incumbent Ahmad Ahmad was banned for breaches of FIFA’s ethical code, but has had the ban suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
ETHIOPIA: NO SHORTAGE OF QUEENS
“…stay true to yourself, be confident in your abilities…”
Artist Desta Hagos
As we celebrate International Woman’s Day 2021, here in Ethiopia, we are still commemorating one of the most powerful and fearless Ethiopian Queens, Etege Taitu, who helped her husband defeat the fascist Italians at Adwa. History helps shape our future, undoubtedly, and Ethiopian women continue to shine. Adwa born contemporary Ethiopian Artist Desta Hagos is at the top of my list for those who make Ethiopia proud. I hereby dub Desta the “Queen of Ethiopian Contemporary Art” for many good reasons, and not just because she has been my friend for many years. But don’t take my word alone for it. According to another exceptional Queen Mother (born across the pond) Rita Pankhurst, “Desta set an example for Ethiopian women.” Pankhurst contributed a heartfelt piece about Desta in 2014 for an exhibition I curated with the female wonder at the National Museum of Ethiopia. It is well worth sharing.
“Desta Hagos is the first woman to have devoted her entire life to the production of works of art. At time of her graduation with distinction in 1969 the first three Ethiopian artist – all men – to return to Ethiopia after studying abroad – Afewerk Tekle, Gebre Kristos Desta and Eskender Boghosian – had come either to live or at least to visit Ethiopia. Of these was Gebre Kristos Desta…who influenced many young Ethiopian artists as their teacher at the Fine Arts School. He taught Desta four of her five years as a student and encouraged her to paint abstract as well as the better established and more popular figurative art.” Rita goes on the write, “After her graduation Desta realized that she was prepared to set aside any activities that would distract her from painting… . Although she married, turbulent times in Ethiopia separated her from her husband…during her pregnancy. She managed on her own to raise her daughter and to see her through school and university. Desta set an example for Ethiopian women, and other African women that a woman could indeed be a full-time artist. She blazed a trail for them, showing that it was possible to not only dedicate oneself to art but also to earn enough to make a living from it. Her perseverance, through thick and thin, has earned her the respect and admiration of the many women artists working today who take it for granted that they are the equals of men artists, and participate equally in the many exhibitions which enliven Addis Ababa today.” By Rita Pankhurst, excerpt from DESTA HAGOS 50th Exhibition Catalogue.
Desta Hagos is barley 5 feet tall with a tiny frame yet she creates ‘larger than life’ works of art in her equally tiny 2m x 3m art studio, in her Kazanches studio-apartment. The Queen of Contemporary Ethiopian Art hails from a humble family. Her dad doted on his daughter, providing the curious child her first artistic medium, crayons, in the 1950’s. This gesture was to help her satisfy her fascination with flowers. By the 1960’S Desta was surrounded by male counter-parts at art school, now Alle Felege School of Fine Art, graduating in 1969. She would have her first solo show that year and according to the June 6, 1969 Addis Reporter’s review, “This exhibit not only shows serious of purpose and dedication but also hard work. It consists of 28 oils and four water color and pastels. It should not come as a surprise if Desta in the future develops even more of a sensitive use of color and a release of genuine aesthetic emotion through this use.” So said so done.
By the 1970’s Desta travelled to California to earn a degree in Fine Art. It was a tense time as the Dergue wreaked havoc on her beloved country. Desta had a choice; stay and carve out a safe and successful career in art, or return home to a fate unknown. She chose to go home. It would prove to be one of the most difficult decisions of her life, but one she never regretted. The determined Desta continued to paint, even sometimes painting over expressions that the regime would not have found acceptable, and could have caused harsh consequences due to the political climate. Yet she never stopped and never surrendered her greatest passion, painting. By the 90’s, after the downfall of the Dergue, she was able to begin painting freely; swiftly becoming one of the most celebrated artists of her time in Ethiopia, expressing herself exquisitely.
Desta has lived through lots and shares her experience and advice with a new generation of not only female artists but women in general. “I never doubted myself or my ability and I worked hard to make sure I made my dreams come true. I have travelled to different countries and my work hangs in museums, galleries, homes and offices of people from many different walks of life, and that makes me feel good, but I still know I have more to accomplish. My advice, stay true to yourself, be confident in your abilities and love your country and culture.” The Queen of Ethiopian Contemporary art is royalty for not just her creativity but her confidence, discipline, devotion and loyalty to her truth. Desta Hagos is an example to all women and especially young women that though you may choose a difficult path, particularly male dominated, use your passion and focus to drive the sacrifices you make along the way, in order to not only succeed but to clear a path for other women to walk more freely in the future.
Dr. Desta Meghoo is a Jamaican born
Creative Consultant, Curator and cultural promoter based in Ethiopia since 2005. She also serves as Liaison to the AU for the Ghana based, Diaspora African Forum.
