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The Walya Antelopes have settled on a new coach as they prepare for the Afcon qualifying games in November.
The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has appointed Wubetu Abate as the new coach of the national team.
Abate was appointed to the bench following the departure of Abraham Mebratu after his contract expired on August 6, and the EFF chose not to renew his two-year contract.
EFF President Esayas Jira confirmed the new coach, who signed a two-year contract by declaring in CafOnline: “After the government’s approval of the resumption of football activities, it only took us a few days to appoint a new coach. The technical committee proposed a list of coaches and our choice fell on Wubetu Abate. “
Speaking after being introduced, Abate said quoted by CafOnline: “I like challenges and I enjoy them. I face many challenges in my coaching career. The higher the risk, the higher the reward. For me it was a dream to lead the Ethiopia team. Surprisingly, the dream has come true and I hope to achieve good results during my period. “
His immediate task is to qualify with Ethiopia for the 2021 African Cup of Nations and the final qualifying play-offs for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Abate had a brief playing career with Pulp and Worket in the late 1990s before an injury caused him to hang up his boots.
He then turned to coaching and earned a distinguished name in the process. His fascinating career with Adama Ketema in the 2007 Ethiopian Premier League season landed him a job at Dedebit, but he left the club early.
He is famous for guiding Ethiopia Bunna to their first and last Ethiopian Premier League titles in 2011, beating their city rivals Kidus Giorgis.
The new coach was also in Ethiopia with Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Hawassa Ketema, Fasil Kenema and Sebeta Ketema.
He also had a successful season with the Sudanese team Al Ahli Shendi, where he guided the team to third place and to participate in the Caf Confederation Cup.
The Walya Antelopes are currently second in Group K with three points after they suffered a 1-0 loss in the first away game to group leaders Madagascar before upsetting Ivory Coast 2-1.
Ethiopia will face Niger in the qualifying round of the African Cup of Nations in November.
