After parting ways with coach Firew Hailegabriel the Ethiopian Football Federation has appointed Yosef Gebrewold as the new head coach of the Ethiopian U-20 women’s national team. 

Yosef Gebrewold is the new coach of Ethiopian u-20 women national team. Pic via Ethiopian Football Federation

The U-20 team was 90 minutes away from securing progress to the 2024 World Cup that was to be hosted in Colombia. Even though the young ladies won 1-0 at Abebe Bikila stadium they lost 2-1 on aggregate and didn’t manage to cross the finish line. 

The failure to progress brought further scrutiny of Coach Firew. He didn’t take the questions from journalist well and got into an altercation in the post match interview. 

Before the game Firew complained about working without salary after his contract ended. He also highlighted the issue with the Federation not providing the necessary support to the team. 

After the loss the Federation thanked the coach for his services for the past four years and relieved him of his duties. In an unprecedented move Firew filed a complaint to the Prime Minister’s office about wrongful termination. There hasn’t been any update about the issue until now. 

The Ethiopian Football Federation has now appointed Yosef Gebrewold as the new coach of the national team. Having started his coaching career in the famous Korem Meda in Hawassa Yosef has played an immense role in cultivating women’s football. He was responsible for the development of star players like Loza Abera. He has served as the coach of Hawassa Ketema women’s team and currently is working as the head coach of Arbaminch Ketema women’s team. 

Yosef will take the U-20 team to the All African games that will take place in Accra Ghana next month.