Well-travelled  Ethiopia Walia ibex striker Saladin Said is itching and yearning to get his form back and nothing could provide that better than the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifer against Algeria the same country he last played in club duty before returning back to his former club St.George.

Its been a trying moment for Sala as he is popularly know with injuries and lack of playing time the soft spoken striker still belives he has better years ahead both for club and country just after coach Yohannes Sahle recalled him back    to Ethiopia’s senior national team ahead of their 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) double header with Algeria.

Salhadin Said The  last played for the Walias of Ethiopia against Lesotho in the 2017 AFCON qualifier nine months ago but feels it would be the best time to reclaim his position and confidence.

“As a footballers injuries are not the best moments because they mean long recuperation hence longer time to gell with other players but that’s life.It was a tough moment in Algeria having suffered an early injury but now that is water under the bridge i want to regain my mojo back and playing for my beloved country Ethiopia will sure spur and help inspire me once again in a great way”Salhadin Said told Soka25east.com

“We have a tough game against Algeria which has been rising but it will not be the first time we are playing them we just need to focus as a team and train effectively”he added

The Walia Ibex  squad  includes another experienced striker Getaneh Kebede who currently plies his trade in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) for University of Pretoria.

Algeria will host Ethiopia in the Group J encounter on the 25th of March 2016 and the return leg is scheduled to take place four days later in Addis Ababa.

Salhadin Said Club Career:

In 2010, Salhadin was on trial with, but the transfer failed. Subsequently, he trialled with FK Vojvodina , but didn’t manage to go further than gaining good wishes and complements from coach Zoran Milinković.

In 2011, Salhadin scored in the 2011 Kagame Cecafa Club Cup game against AS Port from Djibouti scoring five goals in one game.^[

On 9 October 2011, Salhadin got transferred to Egyptian club Wadi Degla FC who paid 2,040,000 Ethiopian birr , ($240,000 US), at the time the highest sum ever paid for an Ethiopian footballer.

Lierse

Salhadin said ahead of Ethiopia’s game against Burkina Faso in 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that he was moving to Belgium club Lierse SK after the Africa Cup.

Al-Ahly

On 23 April 2014, Saladin moved from Wadi Degla to the league rivals Al –Ahly where they had captured 2015 CAF Champions League title

MC Alger

In 2015 Sala crossed over and joined Algerian side MC Alger but things did not turn as rosy as expected as he struggled to get playing opportunity finally the club terminated his contract on mutual consent.’

2016 Return to Sanjaw (St.George)

Sala’s return to Sanjaw was greeted with pomp and colour in his unveiling that was marked by huge celebeations as he returned back home in 2016 to reignite his career.

International career

Saladin Said debuted for the Ethiopian national team in 2005. Since then he has been Ethiopia’s top scorer in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Squad named by coach Yohannes Sahle

Goalkeepers: Abele Mamo (Mugher Ciminto), Lealem Birhanu (Sidama
Bunna), Tarik Getenet (Dedebit)

Defenders: Seyoum Tesfaye (Dedebit), Alula Girma (Saint George), Tekalegn Dejene (Dedebit), Souliman Mohammed (Adama Ketema), Asechalew Tamene (Saint George), Anteneh Tesfaye (Sidama Bunna), Yared Bayeh (Dashen Bira), Wendifraw Getahun (Ethiopia Bunna)

Midfielders: Gatoch Panom (Ethiopia Bunna), Asrat Megeressa (DashenBira), Biniam Belay (Ethiopia Nigd Bank), Tadele Mengesha (ArbaMinch Ketema), Behailu Assefa (Saint George), Shemeles Bekele (Petrojet/Egypt), Elias Mamo (Ethiopia Bunna), Ramkel Lok (Saint George)

Forwards: Dawit Fikadu (Dedebit), Getaneh Kebede (University Pretoria/South Africa), Tafesse Tesfaye (Adama Ketema), Mulualem Tilahun (Mekelakeya), Salahdin Said (Saint George)

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