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Ethiopia national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Ethiopia women's national football team.
This article contains several patronymic names rather than family names. These persons are addressed by their given name, and not by their inherited name.
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Ethiopia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) ዋልያዎቹ (The Walia Ibex)
Association Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach Mesay Teferi (Interim)
Captain Gatoch Panom
Most caps Shimelis Bekele (81)
Top scorer Getaneh Kebede (33)
Home stadium Addis Ababa Stadium
Bahir Dar Stadium
Dire Dawa Stadium
Addis Ababa National Stadium (under construction)
FIFA code ETH
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 151 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 86 (September 2006)
Lowest 155 (December 2001)
Elo ranking
Current 145 Decrease 7 (3 March 2019)
Highest 40 (16 January 1968)
Lowest 146 (September 2019)
First international
 French Somaliland 0–5 Ethiopia 
(French Somaliland; 5 December 1947)
Biggest win
 Ethiopia 10–2 French Somaliland 
(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 1 May 1954)
Biggest defeat
 Iraq 13–0 Ethiopia 
(Irbid, Jordan; 18 August 1992)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 11 (first in 1957)
Best result Champions (1962)
Jordan International Tournament
Appearances 1 (first in 1992)
Best result Group stage (1992)

The Ethiopia national football team, also called Walia after the Walia ibex, plays for Ethiopia in international men's football games. The Ethiopian Football Federation manages the team. Ethiopia has been playing in regional and international competitions since 1943. The team plays its home games at Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa. As of 2017, they were ranked 150th in the world by FIFA World Rankings.

Ethiopia was one of the first three teams to play in the very first Africa Cup of Nations in 1957. They won the competition in 1962 when they were also the host country. After the 1960s, they didn't have as much success. But in 2013, with coach Sewnet Bishaw, the team qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations again after 31 years!

History of Ethiopian Football

Early Days of Football

Ethiopia has a long history in football. They were one of the first African countries to play international matches. Their first game was in 1947, where they beat French Somaliland 5–0. The Ethiopian Football Federation joined FIFA in 1952. They also helped start the Confederation of African Football in 1957.

The team played in the first African Nations Cup in 1957 and finished second. In 1959, Ethiopia joined the World Cup qualifiers for the first time. They lost both games to Israel and were knocked out.

The biggest moment for the team was winning the African tournament at home in 1962. Nine countries entered, and Ethiopia won the final against the United Arab Republic after extra time. This was their only Africa Cup of Nations title. Mengistu Worku was a top scorer, and Luciano Vassalo was the captain. The coach was Ydnekatchew Tessema.

In the 1963 African Cup of Nations, they finished fourth. The 1965 tournament was not as good, as they were out in the group stage. In the 1968 tournament, again at home, they finished fourth. But in 1970, they had a very tough time, finishing last in their group. They didn't qualify for the 1972 African Cup of Nations or the 1974 African Cup of Nations.

Ethiopia hosted the Nations Cup again in 1976 but didn't make it to the final four. They last qualified for the tournament in 1982 but didn't get past the group stage.

Success in the CECAFA Cup (2001–2007)

In the 2001 CECAFA Cup, Ethiopia did very well. They beat Zanzibar 5–0 and tied with Rwanda B. They won against Burundi in penalty kicks in the quarterfinals. Then they beat Rwanda A and Kenya to win the championship. This was their first win since 1987. Because of this success, Ethiopia moved up 17 spots in the FIFA World Rankings.

In the 2004 CECAFA Cup, Ethiopia, led by coach Asrat, reached the semi-finals. They won the championship by beating Burundi 3–0. People in Addis Ababa celebrated a lot that night!

The team won the CECAFA Cup again in 2005 in Rwanda. Coach Sewnet Bishaw led them to victory. They beat Djibouti 6–0, with Fikru Tefera scoring three goals. In the final, Andualem Negusse scored the winning goal against Rwanda.

Challenges and Comebacks (2008–Present)

In 2008, FIFA suspended the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) because of problems with how it was run. This meant Ethiopia couldn't play in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers or the Africa Cup of Nations. The team also missed the 2008 CECAFA Cup. In 2009, FIFA lifted the suspension after the EFF fixed its issues.

At the 2010 CECAFA Cup, Ethiopia surprised fans by reaching the semi-finals. They finished fourth in the tournament. Players like Shimelis Bekele and Oumed Oukri played very well.

In 2011, the EFF changed coaches a few times. But then, in the qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Ethiopia made a big comeback! They qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 31 years. This was a huge achievement for the team.

For the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Ethiopia did very well. They beat Somalia and then played against tough teams like South Africa and Central African Republic. They even beat South Africa at home. They made it to the third round of qualification, which was their best performance ever in a World Cup qualifier. They were eventually knocked out by Nigeria.

Cap-vert vs Ethiopi (47)
Ethiopia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

Kit History

Kit provider Period
Germany Adidas 1983–2004
Germany Adidas 2010–2015
Italy Erreà 2016–2019
England Umbro 2019–2023
Ethiopia Gofere 2023–

Coaching Staff

Position Staff
Head coach Vacant
Assistant coach Ethiopia Mesay Teferi
Goalkeeper coach Ethiopia Desalegn Gebregiorgis
Head of Scouting Ethiopia David Beshah
Technical director Ethiopia Daniel Gebremariam

Coaching History

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Greece Edouardos Virvilis (1950–1954)
  • Austria Georg Braun (1954–1956)
  • Czechoslovakia Jiří Starosta (1959)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slavko Milošević (1961)
  • Ethiopia Yidnekatchew Tessema (1961–1962)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slavko Milošević (1962)
  • Ethiopia Yidnekatchew Tessema (1963)
  • Hungary Ferenc Szűcs (1968–1969)
  • Ethiopia Luciano Vassalo (1969–1970)
  • Ethiopia Adamu Alemu (1970)
  • West Germany Peter Schnittger (1974–1976)
  • Ethiopia Mengistu Worku (1977–1978)
  • Ethiopia Mengistu Worku (1980–1982)
  • Ethiopia Tilahun Tesfaye (1984)
  • Ethiopia Mengistu Worku (1987)
  • West Germany Klaus Ebbighausen (1987–1989)
  • Ethiopia Kassahun Teka (1992–1993)
  • Ethiopia Gebregiorgis Getahun (1993)
  • Ethiopia Kassahun Teka (1994–1995)
  • Ethiopia Seyoum Abate (1996)
  • Ethiopia Oko Idiba (1997)
  • Ethiopia Kassahun Teka (1997)
  • Ethiopia Seyoum Abate (1998–2000)
  • Ethiopia Asrat Haile (2001)
  • Germany Jochen Figge (2002–2003)
  • Ethiopia Asrat Haile (2003)
  • Ethiopia Seyoum Kebede (2003–2004)
  • Ethiopia Asrat Haile (2004)
  • Ethiopia Sewnet Bishaw (2004–2006)
  • Ethiopia Seyoum Abate (2006)
  • France Diego Garzitto (2006–2007)
  • Ethiopia Tesfaye Fetene (2007)
  • Ethiopia Tsegaye Desta (2007)
  • Ethiopia Abraham Teklehaymanot (2008–2010)
  • Scotland Iffy Onuora (2010–2011)
  • Belgium Tom Saintfiet (2011)
  • Ethiopia Sewnet Bishaw (2011–2014)
  • Portugal Mariano Barreto (2014–2015)
  • Ethiopia Yohannes Sahle (2015–2016)
  • Ethiopia Gebremedhin Haile (2016)
  • Ethiopia Ashenafi Bekele (2017)
  • Ethiopia Abraham Mebratu (2018–2020)
  • Ethiopia Wubetu Abate (2020–2023)
  • Ethiopia Daniel Gebremariam (2023)
  • Ethiopia Gebremedhin Haile (2023–2024)
  • Ethiopia Mesay Teferi (Interim) (2024 -)

Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2025 AFCON qualification games in November 2024.

Caps and goals are correct as of November 19, 2024, after the game against DR Congo.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
22 1GK Seid Habtamu (1998-04-05) 5 April 1998 (age 27) 17 0 Ethiopia Adama City
1 1GK Firew Getahun (1992-06-12) 12 June 1992 (age 33) 1 0 Ethiopia Ethiopia Nigd Bank
1GK Abiyu Kassaye (2000-01-09) 9 January 2000 (age 25) 0 0 Ethiopia Dire Dawa City
16 2DF Yared Bayeh (1995-01-22) 22 January 1995 (age 30) 50 1 Ethiopia Sidama Coffee
21 2DF Asrat Tunjo (1996-11-29) 29 November 1996 (age 28) 23 0 Ethiopia Dire Dawa City
14 2DF Birhanu Bekele (2002-12-19) 19 December 2002 (age 22) 11 0 Ethiopia Hadiya Hossana
19 2DF Yared Kassaye (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 22) 8 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Insurance
4 2DF Frezer Kasa (1997-10-26) 26 October 1997 (age 27) 5 0 Ethiopia Bahir Dar Kenema
3 2DF Ramkel James (2001-07-11) 11 July 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Coffee
5 2DF Amanuel Terfa (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 22) 3 0 Ethiopia Saint George
11 2DF Dawit Mamo (1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 28) 1 0 Ethiopia Defence Force
8 3MF Amanuel Yohannes (1999-03-14) 14 March 1999 (age 26) 38 1 Ethiopia Defence Force
3MF Biniam Ayten (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 22) 7 0 Ethiopia Adama City
15 3MF Abinet Demissie (2000-02-16) 16 February 2000 (age 25) 5 0 Ethiopia Wolaitta Dicha
20 3MF Bereket Wolde (1997-10-18) 18 October 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Ethiopia Saint George
10 3MF Abdulkerim Worku (2001-05-24) 24 May 2001 (age 24) 3 0 Ethiopia Defence Force
6 3MF Redwan Nassir 0 0 Ethiopia Sidama Coffee
17 4FW Chernet Gugesa (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25) 29 2 Ethiopia Bahir Dar Kenema
7 4FW Bereket Desta (2000-10-20) 20 October 2000 (age 24) 12 1 Ethiopia Defence Force
4FW Kitika Jima (2000-08-27) 27 August 2000 (age 24) 6 1 Ethiopia Ethiopia Nigd Bank
12 4FW Amanuel Arbo (1999-06-30) 30 June 1999 (age 26) 1 0 Ethiopia Saint George
9 4FW Mohammednur Nassir (2003-08-27) 27 August 2003 (age 21) 1 1 Ethiopia Dire Dawa City
18 4FW Anteneh Tefera (2003-08-11) 11 August 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Coffee

Recent Call-ups

These players have been called up for Ethiopia in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Abubeker Nura (2000-09-11) 11 September 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Insurance v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
DF Ramadan Yusef (2001-02-12) 12 February 2001 (age 24) 43 1 Ethiopia Saint George v.  Eritrea; 31 October 2024
DF Suleman Hamid (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 (age 27) 30 0 Ethiopia Saint George v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
DF Million Solomon (1997-04-13) 13 April 1997 (age 28) 15 0 Ethiopia Adama City v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
DF Henok Adugna (1995-10-28) 28 October 1995 (age 29) 13 0 Egypt Haras El Hodoud v.  Djibouti; 9 June 2024
DF Fetudin Jamal (1997-11-24) 24 November 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Ethiopia CBE v.  Djibouti; 9 June 2024
DF Aschalew Tamene (1991-11-22) 22 November 1991 (age 33) 71 3 Ethiopia Fasil Kenema v.  Lesotho; 24 March 2024
MF Gatoch Panom (captain) (1994-06-12) 12 June 1994 (age 31) 69 8 Ethiopia Fasil Kenema v.  Eritrea; 31 October 2024
MF Beneyam Belay (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26) 32 0 Ethiopia Saint George v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
MF Kenean Markneh (1998-03-30) 30 March 1998 (age 27) 32 4 Ethiopia Defence Force v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
MF Surafel Dagnachew (1997-09-11) 11 September 1997 (age 27) 31 3 United States Loudoun United v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
MF Wogene Gezahegn (2006-07-05) 5 July 2006 (age 18) 9 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Insurance v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
FW Abel Yalew (1996-03-23) 23 March 1996 (age 29) 24 3 Egypt ZED v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
FW Mesfin Tafesse (2001-11-26) 26 November 2001 (age 23) 16 3 Ethiopia Sidama Coffee v.  Guinea; 15 October 2024
FW Habtamu Tadesse (1999-11-03) 3 November 1999 (age 25) 6 0 Ethiopia Bahir Dar Kenema v.  Djibouti; 9 June 2024
FW Dawa Hotessa (1996-03-09) 9 March 1996 (age 29) 31 6 Ethiopia Adama City v.  Lesotho; 24 March 2024
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
  • INJ = Not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • SUS = Player is suspended.
  • RET = Retired from international football.

Team Records

Players in bold are still active with Ethiopia.

Most Games Played

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Shimelis Bekele 81 15 2010–2023
2 Aschalew Tamene 71 3 2015–present
3 Gatoch Panom 69 8 2012–present
4 Getaneh Kebede 66 33 2010–2022
5 Adane Girma 49 9 2004–2014
6 Yared Bayeh 48 1 2015–present
Oumed Oukri 48 12 2009–2023
8 Abebaw Butako 46 2 2008–2017
9 Degu Debebe 44 0 2003–2014
10 Ramadan Yusef 43 1 2019–present

Top Goal Scorers

Cap-vert vs Ethiopi (30)
Getaneh Kebede is Ethiopia's top scorer with 33 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Getaneh Kebede 33 66 0.5 2010–2022
2 Mengistu Worku 16 18 0.89 1959–1970
3 Shimelis Bekele 15 81 0.19 2010–2023
4 Saladin Said 14 28 0.5 2007–2017
5 Oumed Oukri 12 48 0.25 2009–2023
6 Fikru Teferra 11 25 0.44 2004–2014
7 Adane Girma 9 49 0.18 2004–2014
8 Sintayehu Getachew 8 11 0.73 1997–2000
Gatoch Panom 8 69 0.12 2012–present
10 Amanuel Gebremichael 7 42 0.17 2017–present

Honours

Continental Trophies

Regional Trophies

  • CECAFA Cup
    • Med 1.png Champions (4): 1987, 2001, 2004, 2005
    • Med 3.png Third-place (2) 2000, 2015

Images for kids

  • Cap-vert vs Ethiopi (47)

    Ethiopia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

  • Cap-vert vs Ethiopi (30)

    Getaneh Kebede is Ethiopia's top scorer with 33 goals.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Etiopía para niños

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