Hue and Cry from fans as Ethiopia Walia Ibex depart for Sao Tome for 2018 World Cup Qualifier

by
Collins Okinyo
October 6, 2015

Ethiopia Walia Ibex left in Addis Ababa for Sao Tome via Ghana ahead of their World Cup 2018 first round first leg qualifying round.

However their departure was overshadowed by hue and cry from the fans both in Addis Ababa and in the Diaspora many using social media to express their satisfaction when experienced and top players led by captain Salahdin Said,Getaneh Kebede and Umed Ukwirry were dropped by coach Yohannes Sahle who instead chose to give young upcoming players a chance.

The trio have been in the team for years playing crucial roles that led Ethiopia to qualify for Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2013 after a 31 Year wait.They were in the team that surprisingly reached the 2014 World Cup playoffs failing to qualify after losing to Nigeria Super Eagles.

One fan on facebook wrote “Ethiopia Walia Ibex is not an academy for trials how can Sahle leave out key important players”

Last week Ethiopia Walia ibex beat Botswana Zebras 2-3 away in Gaborone in a match used to celebrate the Countries Independence Day.

Coach Sahle has had a good performance record since taking over only losing to Rwanda in a Friendly

Sat	20/06/15	ANC	Ethiopia	2 – 0	Kenya
Fri	03/07/15	ANC	Kenya	0 – 0	Ethiopia
Fri	28/08/15	FRI	Rwanda	3 – 1	Ethiopia
Sat	05/09/15	ACO	Seychelles	1 – 1	Ethiopia
Wed	30/09/15	FRI	Botswana	2 – 3	Ethiopia
Thu	08/10/15	WQA	São Tomé e Prí…	08 : 00	Ethiopia
Sun	11/10/15	WQA	Ethiopia	06 : 00	São Tomé e Prí…

The team that left the country included:

Goalkeepers

Tarik Getnet, Abel Mamo & Lealem Berhanu

Defenders

Walid Atta ( to join them there from his base in Turkey)

Seyoum Tesfaye, Tekalegne Dejene, Ashcalew Tamene, Mujebe Kasim

Midfield

Ephream Ashamo, Biruk Kalbore, Aschalew Girma, Shemelese Bekele,

Strikers

Dawit Fekadu, Ramkel Lok. Berket Yesak and Gatoch Panom ( midfield)

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Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com