Blue Nile Sport, Addis Ababa (2025)

23/08/2025

Bekele, 34, rose to prominence with Saint George after leaving Hawassa and then moved to Sudan, where he featured for Al-Merrikh and Al-Ittihad. He subsequently enjoyed a long stint in Egypt with Petrojet, El Gouna, Misr El-Makkasa, and ENPPI. Following his return to Ethiopia for the past two campaigns, Bekele has now rejoined Hawassa City, becoming the club’s second signing of the window after Abnet Demse.

Renowned for his vision, set-piece delivery, and leadership, Bekele adds experience to Hawassa’s midfield and is expected to mentor younger players while elevating the team’s control in possession. The club views his return as both a symbolic reunion and a strategic boost ahead of the new league season.

09/08/2025

Ali Suleman, one of the Ethiopian Premier League’s most prolific strikers, has completed a move to Egyptian side Ismailia Electricity Club—on a free transfer.

The Eritrean forward, who starred for Hawassa City and topped the league’s scoring charts in consecutive seasons, arrives on a two-year contract reportedly worth $70,000 in the first year and $80,000 in the second.

Suleman first caught wider attention four years ago when he represented Eritrea in the CECAFA U-23 Championship hosted in Ethiopia, impressing with his performances. Shortly after, he joined Bahirdar City, making his mark in the Ethiopian Premier League before moving to Hawassa City, where he cemented his reputation as one of the league’s best players.

His agent, Azaria Tesfatsion, confirmed the transfer to Egyptian football, describing it as a major step forward in Ali Suleman’s career.

Ali Suleman’s arrival comes as Ismaily SC prepare for their return to the Egyptian Premier League in the 2025/26 season, following promotion from the Second Division. Under head coach Reda Shehata, the club is looking to strengthen its attacking options, with Suleman expected to add proven finishing ability, composure, and versatility in the final third.

Having built a reputation as a consistent goal scorer in Ethiopia’s top flight and with international tournament experience in the CECAFA region, Suleman is set to play a pivotal role in Ismaily’s bid to re-establish itself in Egypt’s top tier.

02/08/2025

FULL-TIME: Ethiopia Secures the W!
The Walia Ibex shine under at Audi Field, delivering a powerful performance in front of a proud and passionate crowd. A day to remember for Ethiopian football and the diaspora community.

02/08/2025

The bigger story here will be the connections that will be formed off the pitch. The upcoming match between D.C. United and Ethiopia is set to be an energetic showdown. Fans can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere, where the sounds of Amharic cheers will fill the air and the Green, Gold, and Red of the Ethiopian flag will proudly wave alongside D.C.’s iconic Balck and Red. This friendly match promises to be a significant milestone, highlighting Ethiopia’s rich football legacy and the powerful influence of its diaspora, all while reinforcing D.C. United’s commitment to being a globally-minded club. Regardless of which team emerges victorious, the real triumph may very well be the strengthened bond that will blossom between Washington’s Habesha community and their ancestral homeland. Excitement is in the air, and the night is sure to leave a lasting legacy.

Follow ғᴏʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ Eᴛʜɪᴏᴘɪᴀɴ Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ.
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ጨዋታ ጎሎች እና ሃይላይት::
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30/07/2025

The Ethiopian national football team will depart for the United States on Tuesday night with a 31-man delegation, as officially announced in a joint press conference held earlier today by head coach Mesay Teferi and Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) General Secretary Bahiru Tilahun.

The team is scheduled to play an international friendly match against Major League Soccer side D.C. United this coming Saturday. This match is part of a broader three-year agreement signed between the EFF and D.C. United, aimed at deepening football collaboration and exchange.

All travel and accommodation expenses for the Ethiopian delegation will be covered by D.C. United, with no financial burden on the Federation.

The agreement is not solely based on sporting exchange; it has a strong business and strategic component, with further opportunities for partnerships being explored.

Bahiru Tilahun noted that members of the Federation’s Executive Committee will also travel to the U.S. to engage in strategic meetings and partnership discussions.

The team is expected to remain in the U.S. for one week before returning to Ethiopia.

Visa Issues:
• 15 members required new visas, out of which 7 were granted and 8 were denied.
• Among the Federation’s executive team, 6 had applied, 3 received visas.
• From the coaching and technical staff, 4 applied, and 2 were granted visas.

Bahiru Tilahun clarified that the visa rejections were not related to the Federation’s standing but rather tied to U.S. Embassy policy.

28/07/2025

Tanzanian Premier League giants Azam FC have appointed Addis Worku as a new member of Florent Ibengé’s technical team. The Ethiopian coach joins the club as an assistant, bringing valuable tactical insights and fresh energy to the backroom staff.

Addis Worku is one of Ethiopia’s rising coaching talents, known for his sharp tactical analysis and attention to detail. He has strong expertise in performance analysis and holds a UEFA B License. In addition, he is a certified performance analyst with a proven track record in tactical analysis, GPS data utilization, and match preparation. His experience includes working as a video analyst for the national teams of Zambia and Uganda under head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojević.

Before his international roles, Worku served as a first-team coach and performance analyst at Saint George SC in Ethiopia, where he developed a reputation as a forward-thinking professional. He effectively blends coaching with tactical insights and performance data to enhance team results.

This appointment reunites Addis Worku with Florent Ibengé, as they previously worked together at Al Hilal in Sudan. There, they built a disciplined and formidable squad that consistently competed in both the Sudan Premier League and CAF competitions. Worku later joined Al Hilal S.C. as a performance analyst under Ibengé, focusing on opponent scouting, data-driven match reviews, and player development insights.

Addis Worku is part of a new generation of African coaches who are combining local knowledge with modern European-style analytics.

Stay tuned to see Addis Worku on the sidelines during Azam FC’s pre-season fixtures.

26/07/2025

The Ethiopian national football team is facing major travel problems just days before their friendly match against D.C. United in Washington, D.C. More than ten players have been denied U.S. visas or are facing delays.

The match, set for August 2, 2025, was meant to celebrate Ethiopian football and its diaspora, marking the second Ethiopia Soccer Legacy Match. However, this situation has become a visa challenge for the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF).

Sources from the EFF say that important players such as Binaym Ayten, Bereket Desta, Ahmed Hussein, Abdulkerim Worku, Yared Kasaye, and goalkeeper Binyam Genetu have all been denied visas by the U.S. embassy. Other players, like Miknyot Debebe and Chernet Gugsa, were left out due to expired or missing documents.

Overall, 10 players cannot make the trip, forcing the coaching staff to find new players with less than a week to go.

Head coach Mesay Teferi and EFF have acted quickly, contacting reserve players and those in the diaspora who have valid U.S. visas.

EFF sources said they made last-minute calls to several players. It’s not just players who are impacted. Two chasing staff members could not get travel clearance either.

23/07/2025

In a significant mid-season move, Ethiopian international has officially joined Al-Najaf FC, one of Iraq’s most competitive clubs in the Iraqi Stars League. The central midfielder, known for his powerful presence and box-to-box energy, signed with the club on July 22, 2025, marking his second transfer within Iraq this year.

Gattuoch, began 2025 at Newroz SC, making headlines with a string of solid performances. However, sources close to the player suggest that Al-Najaf’s offer was too good to pass up—both in terms of ambition and financial terms.

“I’m excited to start this new chapter,” said Panom in a short statement to Al-Najaf media. “This is a proud club with passionate supporters. I hope to bring my experience and help the team achieve its goals.”

The move represents a strategic investment by Al-Najaf, who are looking to reinforce their midfield as they push for a top-three finish this season. Gattuoch, who has previously captained the Ethiopian national team and played in several international leagues, brings experience, leadership, and tenacity to the squad.

This move also reflects a growing trend of African talents finding opportunities in Middle Eastern football, where leagues are investing heavily in skilled and experienced players to raise competitiveness.

Panom is expected to debut for Al-Najaf FC in their next league fixture, and fans will be keen to see how he integrates into the squad.

22/07/2025

A shocking case that has gripped Ethiopian sports fans has reached a legal conclusion. The Gamo Zone High Court has handed down final sentences in the murder case of Alelign Azene, a former footballer for Bahir Dar City and the Ethiopian national team.

The court found that Alelign’s wife, Aday Getachew, and her brother-in-law, Lungo Lukas (the husband of Aday’s sister), were guilty of his murder and sentenced them to 16 years and 15 years in prison respectively.

According to the ruling, Aday Getachew was fully involved in both planning and executing the crime, while Lungo Lukas was identified as the one who directly carried out the killing. The court emphasized that both parties collaborated intentionally, leading to a “deliberate and malicious” act of murder.

The crime occurred on the night of Megabit 17, 2016 E.C. (March 26, 2024), between 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM, in Arba Minch city, specifically in Nech Sar kebele, Lemat Sefer area. The court concluded that the murder was staged to look like a su***de, a theory refuted through strong testimonial and documentary evidence.

The High Court’s decision reflects the severity of the crime and confirms that the actions were premeditated and destructive. The ruling officially designates Aday and Lungo as the perpetrators in the death of the 26-year-old athlete, marking a tragic chapter in Ethiopian sports history.

Alelign Azene was remembered as a rising star in Ethiopian football, with stints at Bahir Dar City and appearances for the national team. His death not only robbed Ethiopian football of a promising talent but also raised broader concerns about the safety and well-being of athletes off the field.

22/07/2025

The Ethiopian National Football Team has officially announced its squad ahead of an upcoming international friendly match against Major League Soccer side D.C. United, scheduled for August 2, 2025 (Hamle 26, 2017 E.C.) in the United States.

Head coach Mesay Teferi has named a 23-man squad for the trip, as the team gears up for what promises to be a competitive and high-profile fixture on American soil.

Preparations for the match will begin promptly, with all selected players instructed to report to Jupiter Hotel on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (Hamle 15) at 8:00 AM to begin training camp. The early gathering ensures that the squad will have sufficient time to train and build chemistry before departure.

This friendly is seen as a crucial opportunity for the Walyas to test their skills against international opposition and build momentum ahead of upcoming qualifiers and regional competitions.

Stay tuned for more updates as the team begins its training camp and prepares for the journey to Washington, D.C.

21/07/2025

Ethiopian Coffee SC has officially announced a major change in its coaching staff, confirming the departure of head coach Netsanet Kibret and the appointment of Abiy Kasahun as his successor.

Coach Netsanet Kibret, who served the club from 2023 as head coach and previously as an assistant has concluded his time with Ethiopian Coffee following a second-place finish in the Ethiopian Premier League last season. Due to updated coaching license criterias introduced by CAF and the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), the club was unable to renew his contract.

Ethiopian Coffee SC expressed its sincere gratitude for Kibret’s leadership and contributions over the years, adding that the club is open to working with him again should the necessary qualifications be fulfilled.

Stepping into the role is Abiy Kasahun, who previously worked with the club’s U-20 squad and served as the first-team assistant coach in recent seasons. With a strong understanding of the club’s identity and players, Abiy has now been officially appointed head coach as the club moves into a new era.

Ethiopian Coffee SC reaffirmed its commitment to aligning with all EFF licensing policies and confirmed that the new coaching contract with Abiy Kasahun fully complies with federation standards.

As the club prepares for the upcoming season, it looks ahead with optimism under new leadership while paying tribute to the legacy of its former head coach.

#የኢትዮጵያእግርኳስ

17/07/2025

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has introduced strict new guidelines for all football clubs registering for the 2018 E.C. season. The directive addresses two major points:

1. Club Name Restrictions
Any club whose name includes national identifiers—such as “Ethiopia” or references to national institutions—must change its name before registering. This applies across all divisions and is required to maintain neutrality in club identity.

2. Ban on Political and National Symbols
Clubs are prohibited from using political messages, national flags, or imagery tied to ethnic or national identity in their logos, kits, or official communications. All branding must remain apolitical and professional.

Why It Matters?
The EFF is aligning domestic football with international standards set by CAF and FIFA, which discourage political influence in the sport. This move is designed to preserve football as a neutral and unifying space, free from political or nationalist messaging.

In past years, the EFF has shown a willingness to enforce strict discipline to protect the game’s integrity—including suspending the Premier League in 2018 after a referee was attacked. This new directive is a continuation of that commitment.

Impact

Several clubs will need to rebrand and update their public image. While this may be challenging, the long-term goal is a more professional, inclusive football environment in Ethiopia.

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