Several clubs are handing out strong warnings to their respective players demanding they either deliver better performance or face the axe before the start of the season’s second round fixtures. Emerging title contenders Mekele notified twelve players while relegation threatened Diredawa handed out warnings to nine players.
With the first round coming to an end after two games and the mid-season players’ transfer window to open, clubs are plotting to make space for new signees off-loading footballers who fail to live up to their names. This is time for the clubs and head coaches to show off who is in real command of the ship while the players are busy impressing their bosses.
Sources disclosed that the Club took the strong action based on head coach Yohannes Sahle’s report and a letter demanding players perform better or face serious consequences.
According to insiders negotiations are under way to bring foreign players to the squad to beef up Mekele so they can mount a strong title bid in the second round. “Yohannes’ priority is to further strengthen the squad therefore at least eight players are to leave the team at the end of the first round,” suggested a player.
Simon Abay, who was a midfielder for Electric, Medin and the national team is coaching Dire Dawa in place of Zelalem Shiferaw who resigned. He just handed out a strong letter of warning to nine players. They are being blamed for the club’s poor result as the team sits 15th on the table with just ten points from 13 matches. Despite signing number of big names and four foreign players, Diredawa’s current situation is really miserable. Hawassa also gave warnings to five players while Arbaminch handed out strong warnings to Ghanaian defender Alex Amuzu accused of poor performance and doubtful sick reports.

Ethiopian Premier League defending champion Saint George kicks-off the 2018 African Champions League new season campaign entertaining its counterpart from Sudan Wau Salaam FC for the two leg pre-qualification matches today. Knock out holders Wolayta Dicha faces Zimamoto of Zanzibar in its first ever international game in the club’s history.
Though The Horse Riders have a long history in the Champions League, this is the debut international match. Carlos Manuel Pinto who took over the reign three months back. Pinto appeared to build a ball playing attack minded squad and his stamp was already seen in the team’s local league performance. In the meantime conceding a single defeat in twelve league matches. Six foreign players in the squad including Ugandan international goalie Robert Odungkara and midfielder Prince Severnho of Ivory Coast, here comes the big test for Carlos whose priority is to take the club at least to champions’ league last quarter final stages.
Formed in 1968 the South Sudan league champions that own the Wau stadium with 30,000- capacity, El-Salaam nick named White Doves has little experience at international stages thus Saint George is expected to finish business here in front of the home crowd. All players except striker Salhadin Said will be on the squad therefore club supporters are expecting the best of their team today.
The return leg takes place next Sunday at Hawassa Stadium.