Coach Gebremedin Haile’s contract is running out in a few months. Pic via Ethiopian Football Federation
Following two consecutive draws against Guinea Bissau and Djibouti national team coach Gebremedin Haile faced the media today. The experienced coach who is also currently managing Ethiopia Premier League outfit Ethiopia Medin underlined that despite the dropped points he has observed an improvement from the team.
The national team was heavily criticized after the two draws. The 1-1 stalemate against neighbors Djibouti especially outraged many spectators who believed the team should have been able to beat one of the lowest ranked sides in world football.
Gebremedin said he wasn’t happy with the way the referee handled the game mentioning the fact that the opposition was allowed to get away with numerous fouls and aggressive play.
The coach accepted that there is still a problem of finishing chances despite being able to get in dangerous areas.
Ethiopia sits in 5th place in Group A having collected only 3 points from 4 games. The Waliyas chance of making it to the expanded 2026 World Cup seems slim.
Takeaways
The lack of stadiums that fulfill the required standards affect fans and also the team’s result who will lose home advantage and support from the fans. The buzz around the game wouldn’t have been so quiet if the games were played in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Football Federation needs to pick a coach they trust and give him a long-term contract. Pick a manager based on the long-term project they have in mind and how they plan on revitalizing the team instead of assessing them on qualifying for AFCON and CHAN.
Find a way to solve the foreign based players issue quickly and integrate them with the national team. Local players are poorly coached, and it shows. Stop rewarding mediocrity and challenge the status quo.
Start training performance analysts, fitness coaches, nutrition experts and sports psychologists. Have a multitude of professionals contribute to solve the problems facing Ethiopian football instead of turning the sport into a battle ground for politicians and rent seekers.
We need standardized academies with qualified coaches. We can’t rely on community projects whose outcome is difficult to assess.
