Ethiopian Women national team boss Selam Zeray announced a 24 members squad inquest of a new adventure in 2018 Cecafa zonal championship due in Rwanda from 12th -20th May 2018. Ethiopia NegedBank dominates the selection list with six players while reigning champions Dedebit and Kidus Giorgis are represented each with four players.
Except Dirdawa Ketema’s defender Tseganesh Teshome all the 23 players kicked-off their preparation as of Wednesday.
Back from a record 15-0 aggregate victory over Libyan national team in the continent’s qualification matches, Selam is not only planning to the zonal championship but as well for the decisive African Cup qualification faceoff against Algeria at the end of June. Less than ten days remaining for the championship opening, Lucy’s boss Selam believe that a strong side is in the buildup and aims a better result than last time when Ethiopia returned home with bronze medal under the stewardship of Meseret Manne.
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi and Zanzibar confirmed their participation in the championship. Eritrea and South Sudan will not attend.
Goal Keepers: Abaynesh Erkilo(Hawassa), Negest Meeaza(NegedBank), Tarikua Bergena(Tiret)
Defenders: Meselu Abera(Giorgis), Tseganesh Teshome(Diredawa), Tsion Estifanos(NegedBank),Bezuayehu Tadesse(Giorgis), Betelehem Kefyalew(Electric), Meskerem Konko(Dedebit), Tariqua Debiso(NegedBank) and Geneme Worku(Gedeo)
Midfielders: Senait Bogale(Dedebit), Aregash Kelsa(Acadamy), Zuleyka Jehad(NegedBank), Bezawit Tesfaye(Giorgis), Hiwot Dengeso(NegedBank),Emebet Addisu(Mekelakaya) and Alemnesh Geremew(Mekelakaya)
Attacks: Merekat Felekje(Hawassa), Losa Aberra(dedebit), Tegest Zewde(Dedebit), Senaf Wakuma(Adama),Rehima Zergaw(NegedBank) and Betelehem Seman(Giorgis)

Ethiopian Football Referees and Match Officials Association passed a firm resolution that calls for a suspension of all league matches for the coming three weeks. The Association submitted an eight point enquiry to be fulfilled by the federation before resuming their duty. Insurance coverage, air plane transport and proper security protection on match venues are the notable once from their list of inquiries.
Following the attack on referee Eyasu Fente on Sunday’s Mekelakya versus visitors Welwalo-Adigrat in Addis Ababa, the association called an immediate General Assembly meeting that passed the toughest ever resolution that rocked the football family especially the Clubs and bottlenecked  Ethiopian Football Federation. “We demand an immediate response for our resolution before officiating any league plays” the Association firmly stated.
The incident occurred when referee Eyasu awarded a controversial goal to home side Mekelakya. Then visitors’ players automatically started to chase him to the touch line where Welwalo team leader Maru G/Tsadik “who has since been fired” hosted him with a punch that knocked him down. Though this is not the first, rather a frequent phenomenon since the recent time Ethiopian Football chaos (the latest with assistant Referee Mustefa Meki’s serious attack in Woldya versus Fasil match where the official ended in a hospital), things currently appeared too much to handle thus the Association submitted such strong resolution.
After EFF called an emergency meeting with Premier League sides on Thursday, all the clubs suggested the League to resume as the winter season is closing. Referees and Match Officials Association stood ground thus EFF to have a meeting with them today.
Ethiopia Bunna’s Board Chairman Lieutenant Fekade Mamo’s suggestion at the meeting on Thursday of looking for referees from neighboring countries like Djibouti, Kenya or Sudan, which took many by mocking surprise. “If we have that financial muscle why not we treat our own referees the proper way?” asked one participant. It is 1,000 Birr that is less than 35 Dollars a referee earns for a match.

A new trend of discovering Ethiopian Footballers new talents is launched through Ethiopian Premier League side Diredawa Ketema. The only representative of Eastern Ethiopia, Diredawa handed a three months trial period to three Ethiopians from Holland. According to sources if things go smooth and as planned the trios will sign a contract with the club for the coming new season.
Thanks to former Ethiopian Air Force and National team player Genene Mekbeb resident of Den Hague-Holland for more than three decades, three Dutch-Ethiopians: Samuel Habtamu, Noah Habte and Tensae Abebe reached to the resort town on Monday to kick-off their trial period. Turned a Licensed Football Coach in Holland, Genene scouted the players for longer period and send them to try their luck with Diredawa. According to Genene it doesn’t mean only to Diredawa but if things turned out successful Ethiopian young talents are to join other clubs in need. “They have a dream of playing to Ethiopian national team and I believe they have a good chance of making in to the Ethiopian national team” Genene suggested.
The three footballers had had years of experience in the football including playing in professional leagues as well came through the youth schemes of the famous Dutch football. Twenty two years-old Samuel Habtamu,19 years old Noah Habte and Daniel Abebe have launched their trial period as of last Monday under the stewardship of former Electric and national team mid fielder currently Diredawa head trainer simon Abay. Diredawa is currently bottom of the Premier League table with just 19 points from 21 matches.

Despite a chaotic season full of controversies and horrific disciplinary incidents including the knocking out of referees, the title race stands as the recent times most crowded title races with no less than seven sides plotting for the crown. Three sides: newly promoted Jimma AbaJIfar, Mekele Ketema and the defending champion Kidus Giorgis appeared heavy weights boasting huge fire powers.
The two new comers Jimma AbaJIfar and Mekele Ketema are currently leading the league table with AbaJifar claiming the top spot four points clear off second place Mekele Ketema with two games in hand. Six points down yet with two games in hand Kidus Giorgis is fourth in the table.
Having the deadliest strike force of the league with 26 goals out of which 14 in the name of Nigerian Okikola Afolabi, AbaJifar have real potential to go all the way through the title contention. Boss Gebremedhin has built the best of squads in his carrier, well organized defense backed by magnificent goalie. Four wins and two draws in the past five matches this may be time to AbaJifar to write new chapter.
Only two defeats in 16 consecutive matches, Amanuel G/Michael and Ghanaian Bismark Opong leading the strike force each hammering in six, Coach Yohannes Sahle appears in performance of a champion conceding only eight goals in as much as the games. Adding a strong mid field presence former Ethiopia Bunna skipper Gatoch Panom in mid-season, Mekele has everything but championship experience is what it lacks.
A single win in the past five matches third place Dedebit in a slip, fourth place KIdus Giorgis is still the team to beat in order to clinch the crown. Two matches in hand “The Horse Riders’” abundant experience in snatching away titles from the mouth of contenders, a six point difference might not be too difficult to jump over.
Eight fixtures to go and teams performance swaying every week ends, the prediction may be a bit earlier. But with what the record shows the three appear real title contenders with the remaining four capable of any surprise.