Ethiopia national football team
The Ethiopia national football team, nicknamed the Walia Ibex, represents Ethiopia in international football. Governed by the Ethiopian Football Federation, they were 1962 Africa Cup of Nations champions.
The Ethiopia national football team is the senior men's side that represents the nation of Ethiopia in international association football. Commonly known by the nickname "Walia Ibex," the team competes under the Ethiopian Football Federation and is a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Its FIFA trigramme is ETH and the team traditionally wears colours drawn from the national flag: green, yellow and red.
Identity and home
Ethiopia's home matches are most often staged at Addis Ababa Stadium and other venues in the capital and regional cities. The team is administered by the national federation, whose responsibilities include organizing domestic competitions, youth development and selecting players for the senior squad. The visual and cultural identity of the team — kit colours, emblem and nickname — is closely linked to Ethiopian national symbols.
History and achievements
Ethiopia has a long history in African football and was among the earlier participants on the continental stage. The high point of the team's competitive record came in the 1960s when Ethiopia won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1962. Since that era the team has experienced periods of both competitive achievement and long absences from major tournaments; a notable return to the AFCON finals occurred in the 2010s after a lengthy gap. Ethiopian football history also reflects the development of the domestic game and its role in national sporting life.
Style, development and organization
Playing style has varied over time according to coaches and the domestic talent pool, but the national programme places emphasis on technical skills and teamwork. Development pathways include club football in the domestic league, youth national teams and regional academies. Challenges for the federation and coaching staff often include improving infrastructure, expanding scouting and creating opportunities for players to gain experience abroad.
Selected squad (sample list)
The squad selected for international fixtures changes frequently. A sample roster (players listed under typical position groups) includes names that have appeared for Ethiopia in recent years:
- Goalkeepers: Deyas Adugna, Tadios Getachew, Jemal Sadat
- Defenders: Anwar Siraj, Tamirat Abebe, Bekele Zewdu, Bin lardame, Daniel Teklu, Degu Debebe
- Midfielders: Teshome Getu, Yohanes Wolde Muluken, Girma Ashenafi, Mulualem Regassa, Mesfin Assefa, Daniel Habtamu, Hyder Mensur, Adugna Gelaneh, Ibrahim Hussein
- Forwards: Yordanos Abay, Tafese Tesfaye, Abubakar Ismael, Ermias Kidanu, Andualem Nigussie, Elmedin Mohammed
For the most up-to-date squad announcements, fixtures and organisational details consult the federation's resources: Ethiopian Football Federation.
Significance and notable facts
Beyond results, the national team plays an important cultural role as a symbol of national pride and sporting aspiration. Ethiopia's early success on the African stage and its continued participation in CAF competitions make it a recognized footballing nation in the region. The team's progress is closely followed domestically and by an international diaspora, and efforts to strengthen youth development and club competition remain central to its future ambitions.
Tournaments
World Cup
- 1930 - 1954 no participation
- 1958 - Application rejected by FIFA
- 1962 - not qualified
- 1966 - withdrawn
- 1970 - 1986 - not qualified
- 1990 - withdrawn
- 1994 - not qualified
- 1998 - withdrawn
- 2002 - not qualified
- 2006 - not qualified
- 2010 - disqualified
- 2014 - not qualified
In the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Ethiopia first faced Somalia in a first and second leg. After a 0-0 draw in the away leg, they won the second leg 5-0. This put Ethiopia in the group stage to face Botswana, South Africa and the Central African Republic. Ethiopia initially qualified early for the next round by beating South Africa 2-1 on 16 June 2013. Ethiopia's original 2-1 win over Botswana on 8 June 2013 was changed by FIFA to a 3-0 win for Botswana on 1 July 2013, as Ethiopia fielded Minyahile Teshome Beyene, a player who was suspended after receiving two yellow cards. This left qualification for the next round open again. However, Ethiopia managed to win in Central African Republic on the last matchday to advance to the playoff round of group winners. There, the team lost both matches against Nigeria by 1:2 and 0:2, respectively, and thus missed the chance to be the first East African country to participate in the final round of a World Cup.
- 2018 - not qualified
African Championship
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African Nations Championship
- 2009: not participated
- 2011: withdrawn in the qualification
- 2014: Preliminary round
- 2016: Preliminary round
- 2018: not qualified
- 2021: not qualified
Eastern / Central African Championship
- 1973 - 1982 - not participated
- 1983 - Preliminary round
- 1984 - not participated
- 1985 - not participated
- 1987 - East/Central Africa Champion
- 1988 - Preliminary round
- 1989 - not participated
- 1990 - not participated
- 1991 - not participated
- 1992 - Preliminary round
- 1994 - not participated
- 1995 - Fourth
- 1996 - not participated
- 1999 - quarter-finals
- 2000 - Third
- 2001 - East/Central Africa Champion
- 2002 - Preliminary round
- 2003 - Participation withdrawn
- 2004 - East/Central Africa Champion
- 2005 - East/Central Africa Champion
- 2006 - quarter-finals
- 2007 - Preliminary round
- 2008 - not participated
- 2009 - Preliminary round
- 2010 - Fourth
- 2011 - Preliminary round
- 2012 - Quarter Finals
- 2013 - Quarter Finals
- 2015 - 3rd place
- 2017 - Preliminary round
- 2019 - withdrawn
Coach
- Germany
Peter Schnittger (1974-1976) - Athiopia
Asrat Haile (2001) - Germany
Jochen Figge (2002-2003) - Athiopia
Asrat Haile (2003) interim - Athiopia
Seyoum Kebede (2003-2004) - Athiopia
Sewnet Bishaw (2004-2006) - Athiopia
Seyoum Abate (2006) - Italy
Diego Garzitto (2006-2007) - Athiopia
Tesfaye Fetene (2007) - Athiopia
Tsegaye Desta (2007) - Athiopia
Abraham Teklehaymanot (2008-2010) - Scotland
Iffy Onuora (2010-2011) - Belgium
Tom Saintfiet (2011) - Athiopia
Sewnet Bishaw (2011-2014) - Portugal
Mariano Barreto (2014-2015) - Athiopia
Yohannes Sahle (2015-2016) - Athiopia
Gebremedhin Haile (2016) - Athiopia
Ashenafi Bekele (2017) - Athiopia
Abraham Mebratu (2018-2020) - Athiopia
Wubetu Abate (since 2020)
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com Ethiopia national football team Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/32381
Sources
- fifa.com : "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking"
- fifa.com : "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking"
- eloratings.net : "World Football Elo Ratings"
- eloratings.net : "Ethiopia"