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

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)