Sports News - Ethiopian News

July 8, 2019 (Ezega.com) -- The IAAF Diamond League men’s 5000 meters race in Lausanne did not go well for Ethiopian athlete Hagos Gebrihwet. While leading the pack to the finish line, he decalred victory prematurely one lap short.

Apparently, Hagos thought he ran the last lap and stopped with his hands up the air, thinking he won.

Upon realizing that the competition was not over, he started sprinting back into the race. But, by then, others started passing him by. He finished 10th when all was said and done.

It is unknown how Hagos Gebrihwet, an experienced athlete, missed the lap count.

In the video footage, commentat

April 10, 2019 (Ezega.com) -- Three years after winning a silver medal for his country at the Rio 2016 Olympics, 29-year-old Feyisa Lilesa has been feted by Abiy’s government. Feyisa caught the world’s attention after winning silver medal and then crossing his wrists in protest of Ethiopian government’s crackdown on Oromos.

He did so in solidarity with the protests that were going on in the Oromo region since November 2015. When interviewed by the press following the gesture, Feyisa said: “the Ethiopian government is killing my people so I stand with all the protests anywhere as Oromo is my tribe.”

The Oromo, which is t

November 5, 2018 - Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia won the men's marathon race in New York, USA, in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 59 seconds, according to NPR report.

This is his first win in New York marathon.

"This is my dream," Desisa, 28, said after the race, according to the Associated Press reported. I wanted "to be a champion."

Born in Shewa zone, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, Lelisa Desisa made his breakthrough on to the senior international scene at road races in 2010.

He won the Boston marathon twice, in 2013

October 21, 2018 - Feyisa Lilesa, the famed Ethiopian marathon runner, returns home. He was in exile in the USA since 2016.

Feyisa made global headlines with anti-government gesture at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.

As he was finishing second during the marathon run, he held his arms over his head, wrists crossed, in solidarity with protesters at home.

He subsequently sought asylum in the United States, and has been living there since, joined by his family later.

Feyisa was received by Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu, his family and friends and fans at Bole International Airport.

According to Al Jaze

July 24, 2018 - Ethiopia and Eritrea will have friendly soccer match in late August in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, according to FBC report. This is follows after the dramatic end to a 20-year old war between the two east African states.

This will be first time that such match is held between the two countries in 20 years.

Since hosilities ended a few weeks ago, the two countries have initiated a lot of cross-border activities, including resumption of flights, port talks, and othe business activities.

The match is part of attempts at full normalization of relations between the two nations.

January 28, 2018 - Ethiopian athlete Samuel Tefera broke the world U20 indoor 1500m record with a world-leading 3:36.05 time. Tefera was competing in the first indoor race of his burgeoning career. But his youth and relative inexperience proved no barrier as he comfortably beat 2012 world indoor champion and 2015 world bronze medallist Abdalaati Iguider.

The Ethiopian crossed the line in 3:36.05 to take 0.23 off the previous world U20 indoor record set by Belal Mansoor Ali in 2007. Iguider, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, finished second in 3:36.87 with fellow Moroccan Brahim Kaazouzi taking third in a PB of 3:37.15.

Source:- IA

January 26, 2018 - Two Ethiopian Athletes set new records in the annual Dubai Marathon. In the men’s race Mosinet Geremew set a new Dubai Marathon record when he sprinted clear from a large group of his compatriots to claim victory in the 10th fastest time over the distance on Friday.The 25-year-old crossed the line in two hours and four minutes exactly, two seconds ahead of Leul Gebresilase with last year's winner Tamirat Tola a further four seconds adrift as Ethiopians filled the first 10 places.

Similarly, in the women's race Roza Dereje finished the distance in 2:19:17, also a new record and personal best for

January 16, 2018 - Ethiopian northern city club, Fasil Kenema, announced that it has terminated the contract of veteran Ugandan striker Robert Ssentongo for alleged indiscipline.

The Ugandan striker signed for the Ethiopian club from Ugandan champions KCCA four months ago. But Ssentongo is yet to kick a ball for the Emperors in the league amidst widespread rumors of indiscipline.

Attempts by the Ethiopian club to have him change his ways did not materialize leading to contract termination on 1 January 2018.Ssentongo played for Ethiopian champions St. George from 2012 to 2014 before returning to the local

January 13, 2018 - The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to send an inspection team to Ethiopia, to evaluate  the status  of 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) disclosed.

According EFF president Juniden Basha, CAF officials would like to visit here to check on the timely progress of preparatory work.

In other news, it was learnt that, effective 2018, indemnities of referees designated for CAF matches would be paid directly by CAF. The decision is a materialization of a campaign promise by CAF president. Until now, regulations required host associa

December 10, 2017 - Ethiopian police in northern Amhara regional state said that 18 people had been charged over the deadly football riot earlier this month, reports Xinhua. 

One December 3, 2017, clashes between fans of two Ethiopian clubs namely, Mekelle city football club and Woldiya city football club, turned into a riot that left two people dead and vandalism of residential and business sites.

Amare Goshu, Commander of North Wollo Zone Police Department in Amhara, said another 31 people arrested relating to the riot have been released for a lack of evidence.

He further said his police department is working with religiou

November 20, 2017 - Ethiopia’s athletes Berhanu Legese and reigning Olympic 10,000 metre champion Almaz Ayana won the respective elite men’s and women’s races at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon held in india. 

Legese, who won the 2015 edition of the ADHM, clocked 59:46 minutes followed by fellow Ethiopian Andamlak Belihu and American Leonard Korir, who completed their races in 59:51 and 59:52 minutes respectively.

“I can’t express the happiness in words,” said an ecstatic Legese after the race.

The elite international women’s category saw a complete domination from the Eth

November 9, 2017 - Ethiopia Bunna F.C has hired Serbian Kostadin Papic as its new coach following the resignation of Dragan Popadich left the helm due to illness. Papic, 57, has jetted in to Addis Ababa from Belgrade a week ago. He has signed a two years deal with Bunna as confirmed by the club’s official Facebook handle.

Ethiopia Bunna and Popadich parted ways in mutual consent after the Addis Cardiac Center warned the Serbian former Express and Simba coach his illness is life threatening. Ethiopia Bunna has been on hunt to bring a new coach before the new season got underway. The club’s board had a long negotiation with Papic a

October 30, 2017 - Ethiopian Premier League champions Kidus Giorgis won Wolaitta Dicha 2 - 0 in Ethiopian Super Cup final game played in Addis Ababa, reports soccer Ethiopia . Alula Girma and Abubakher Sani struck in the first half as Kidus Giorgis got their cup triumph.

Wolaitta Dicha looked unbreakable at the back from the onset as Kidus Giorgis find it very though to penetrate the Dicha’s defense. The Horsemen captain Degu Debebe’s header was easily saved by Dicha’s Nigerian goalie Emmanuel Fevor in the 23rd minute while Eyob Alemayehu’s strike from range at the other end could not trouble Kidus Giorgis

October 29, 2017 - Ethiopia will face Rwanda in a two-legged play-off for the right to replace Egypt at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, reports BBC. The northern African nation, Egypt, pulled out of the tournament– which is for African players based in their domestic leagues – because of a timing clash.

Ethiopia and Rwanda were eliminated in the final round of East Zone qualifiers, and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed both teams had been picked for the play-off as “a part of a concern for fairness”.

Caf say it will bring the number of teams representing the Central E

October 25, 2017 - As part of FIFA Under-17 Women World Cup qualification, Ethiopia will play Nigeria in the second round qualification match after Kenya pulled out of the tie. Kenya cited their inability to raise a team for the first round match this month as their reason for pulling out.

Kenya Football Federation boss Robert Muthomi said: “We were scheduled to play Ethiopia in October 2017. However, following consultations with the schools and Ministry of Education officials, we have decided to withdraw our participation.

“This is to allow players ample time to prepare and sit for their exams,

October 18, 2018 - In an unprecedented move, the Ethiopian Football Federation has enacted a regulation that obliges all Ethiopian soccer clubs in the premier and super leagues to construct standardized stadiums within two years, according to ANA.

All the soccer clubs in the country do not have their own stadiums. Tedla Dagnachew, Licensing Manager of the Federation said  that the clubs need to have their own stadiums, since having standard stadium is among the criteria set by FIFA.

According to him, clubs that would not fulfill the standard could be relegated to the lower division.

Despite these regulati

September 3, 2017 - Ethiopian cyclist Tsgabu Grmay has joined Trek for 2018, the American team announced on Monday. The 26-year-old, the African time-trial champion two years ago, joins the American team from Bahrain. Grmay, the reigning time trial champion in Ethiopia, got his start with MTN-Qhubeka in 2012 and spent three seasons with the team before jumping to the WorldTour with Lampre-Merida. After two years there, he joined Bahrain-Merida for 2017. A three-time time trial champion and two-time road race champion in Ethiopia, he finished fifth overall at Februarys Tour of Oman.

In a press release, Tsgabu Grmay said, 'I am very happy a

October 1, 2017 - The Botswana national team beat the Waliyas 2-0 in Independence Day friendly game. The friendly tie was organized by the government of Botswana in celebration of the 51st year anniversary of the Southern Africa nation independence from British rule.

Veteran striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane scored in each half as Botswana secured a 2-0 win over Ethiopia. The hosts made a positive start as Ramatlhakwane broke the deadlock barely two minutes following the kickoff through a penalty kick. The Township Rollers forward doubled the lead after the recess yet again converting a second spot kick.

Ethiopia coach Ashenafi Bekele has

September 18, 2017 - The Ethiopian national women's under-20 football team on Sunday scored two crucial goals in their 2-2 draw against Kenya in the first leg of their second round qualifying campaign for the 2018 Fifa Women's World Cup.

Forward Mirikat Feleke opened the scoring for Ethiopia in the 19th minute and ten minutes later, they went two-up courtesy of an Alemnesh Geremew strike for a 2-0 lead at halftime in the match played at the Hawassa Stadium.

The Kenyans Starlets rallied back after the break and pulled a goal back through skipper Corazon Aquino 's penalty in the 85th minute, before Maureen Khakasi com

September 16, 2017 - Ethiopian northern city club, Fasil Kenema, signed two Ugandan footballers, Yasser Mugerwa and Robert Sentongo. The Ethiopia Premier League side Fasil Kenema is currently camped in the arid town of Debrezeyit ahead of the anticipated league kick off in late October.

The two Uganda Cranes internationals put pen to paper on a one-year deal at the club found in the Northern Ethiopian town of Gonder.Ssentongo joins as a free agent following the expiration of his employment contract at KCCA Football Club.

Meanwhile, Mugerwa left St George F.C after a mutual agreement because he was still contracted with the country&