Ethiopian national team head coach Gebremedin Haile stated that there is a lack of quality number 9s in Ethiopia. The coach was talking to the media after Ethiopia’s two games in the World Cup Qualifiers. The Waliyas failed to score in both their games drawing 0-0 to Sierra Leone and losing 0-3 to Burkina Faso.
The team wasted countless opportunities in both games and was heavily criticized for that by fans and media. This has been a problem for the national team for quite a while but the last two games further highlighted the issue.
After Getaneh Kebede’s retirement from national team duties and Abubeker Nassir’s recurrent injuries the team has faced problems in its search for a true number 9. In both games Gebremedin chose to play with Kenean Markneh who isn’t an out-and-out striker.
“ I have observed that a new solution is needed. We need to train someone in that (number 9) position. If we see the capacity, finishing and technical ability of the strikers across the league it’s not at the required level for the national team” the coach stated. He elaborated that they have the responsibility to produce a number nine.
The coach also defended Kenean Markneh who had a couple of poor performances. “ We shouldn’t say anything that doesn’t encourage the player” he stated.
