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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

  • 1957 - Second place
  • 1959 - Third place
  • 1962 - Master
  • 1963 - Fourth place
  • 1965 - Preliminary Round
  • 1968 - Fourth place
  • 1970 - Preliminary round
  • 1972 - not qualified
  • 1974 - not qualified
  • 1976 - Preliminary round
  • 1978 - not qualified
  • 1980 - not qualified

 

  • 1982 - Preliminary round
  • 1984 - not qualified
  • 1986 - withdrawn
  • 1988 - Withdrawn during qualification
  • 1990 - not qualified
  • 1992 - Withdrawn during qualification
  • 1994 to 1998 - not qualified
  • 2000 - withdrawn
  • 2002 to 2008 - not qualified
  • 2010 - disqualified
  • 2012 - not qualified
  • 2013 - Preliminary round

 

  • 2015: not qualified
  • 2017: not qualified
  • 2019: not qualified
  • 2022 - qualified

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 DeutschlandPeter Schnittger (1974-1976)
  • Athiopia ÄthiopienAsrat Haile (2001)
  • Germany DeutschlandJochen Figge (2002-2003)
  • Athiopia ÄthiopienAsrat Haile (2003) interim
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Seyoum Kebede (2003-2004)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Sewnet Bishaw (2004-2006)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Seyoum Abate (2006)
  • ItalyItalien Diego Garzitto (2006-2007)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Tesfaye Fetene (2007)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Tsegaye Desta (2007)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Abraham Teklehaymanot (2008-2010)
  • Scotland SchottlandIffy Onuora (2010-2011)
  • BelgiumBelgien Tom Saintfiet (2011)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Sewnet Bishaw (2011-2014)
  • PortugalPortugal Mariano Barreto (2014-2015)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Yohannes Sahle (2015-2016)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Gebremedhin Haile (2016)
  • Athiopia ÄthiopienAshenafi Bekele (2017)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Abraham Mebratu (2018-2020)
  • AthiopiaÄthiopien Wubetu Abate (since 2020)

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