The much talked about Ethiopian National Football Assembly set to stage in Afar region’s Semera Town on March 3, 2018, the huge issue of the presidential candidate race has been quite. With Dr. Asheber W/Giorgis emerged as the clear favorite for a second four year term in office. Full of theaters and hard balls even among Electoral Committee members including an unprecedented letter to CAF through the committee chairperson Mekonen and hiding a letter from CAF from the public and media for nine days, many sport fans are anxiously awaiting the climax.
The incumbent President Juneidin Besha is more concerned with the FIFA World Cup’s routine tour and hosting the 2020 Chan Championship Cup final. So he has not been appearing on media as he usually does. Many of Juneidin’s supporters have been questioning why their candidate chose to become silent when the going started getting tougher. “I am not happy about his quietness because this is a critical time for the campaign,” remarked an official from the federation.
The same quietness is witnessed from the side of former EFF Vice President and Amhara candidate Teka Asfaw. Famous for being on many FM Radio live programs, Teka has hardly been on the scene as some are saying this is an indication he is throwing the towel. “The presidential election race turned into a cut throat rough game and it is too much for Teka to play the hard ball,” suggested an insider who prefers anonymity.
Though the former EFF President and Parliament member Dr. Asheber’s appearance on media has been rare, insiders suggest his supporters had done a great job on their campaign therefore he is the favorite presidential candidate in the March 3, National General Assembly where CAF and FIFA representatives are said to be present.

Two home and away goals from Togolese international Jaco Arafat, helped Wolyta Dicha pipe through the Confederation Cup preliminary round after a 2-1 aggregate victory over its Zanzibar counterpart Zimamoto. The Ethiopian knock-out champion faces Egyptian heavy weight Zamalek in the first round of a two leg qualification showdown with the first leg taking place at home on March 7, 2018.
Back from an important first leg 1-1 away draw thanks to Jaco’s 43rd minute equalizer, home side Wolayta managed a 1-0 home win once again courtesy to Jaco’s 26th minute winning goal from a spot kick thus a safe passage to the group stage first round that brings together 32 teams.
Despite the absence of four regular players because of injury, newly appointed head coach Zenebe Fisseha did a wonderful job of inspiring the players and leading them to a new chapter in their ten year history. “It is the team work and my contribution to the result that is motivating the players to rise to the occasion in front of their supporters. We are to work on our weaknesses before facing Zamalek in the group knock-out stage,” Zenebe told reporters after the game. “Whatever the next match is we will get prepared at our best and not forget that our injured players will recover in good time,” Zenebe added. The grateful club has awarded each player 30,000 Birr and promised to give every hand in their preparation for the next game against Zamalek.
The 107-year-old seven time African champion Zamalek that boasts a 75,000-seater stadium visits Wolayta for the first leg showdown on March 7. The return leg is a week later. Zamalek is among the ten teams that received first round byes.

Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba contests the 1,500m and 3,000m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018 that will be held from March1 to 4. The 27-year-old leads the twelve member Ethiopian national squad (five women and seven men) that took part in six disciplines including Genzebe’s favorite double 1,500 & 3,000 meter races.
Genzebe has earned three world indoor titles, winning the 1,500m in 2012 and the 3,000m in 2014 and 2016. A slightly more forgiving schedule for this year’s edition – with the 3,000m held as a straight final on Thursday night, followed by the 1,500m heats on Friday and the 1,500m final on Saturday – means Dibaba will double up for the first time at a World Indoor Championship event.
Fellow defending 3,000m champion Yomif Kejelcha has also been named to the team and will be joined by world indoor leader Selomon Barega.
Ethiopia has named three athletes in several events. Pending the conclusion of the IAAF World Indoor Tour, some may be eligible to compete as a wild card entrant or may simply be entered as a reserve.
Ethiopian team for Birmingham
Men
800m: Mohammed Aman
1500m: Samuel Tefera, Taresa Tolosa, Aman Wote
3000m: Selemon Barega, Hagos Gebrhiwet, Yomif Kejelcha
Women
800m: Habitam Alemu
1500m: Genzebe Dibaba, Dawit Seyaum, Gudaf Tsegay
3000m: Genzebe Dibaba, Dawit Seyaum, Fantu Worku