Football in Ethiopia
Encyclopedia
Football is a widely practiced and popular sport in Ethiopia
. Although not one of the leading footballing nations in Africa
, Ethiopia has nonetheless produced some outstanding teams at both club and international level as well as some talented individual players.
(EFF) when that organisation was founded in 1943. The EFF affiliated to FIFA
in 1953 and to the Confederation of African Football
in 1957. League football had been inexistence before the formation of the EFF with regional leagues contested during the 1938/39 and 1939/40 seasons in the provinces of Eritrea
, Harar
, Amhara, Scioa and Galla-Sidamo as part of the Italian occupation
.
The first recognised version of the Ethiopian Premier League
was contested in 1944 when five teams representing the various communities of Addis Ababa
competed for a title won by the British Military Mission-BMME. The Ethiopian Cup
was added the following year and has been contested regularly since (albeit with some gaps, notably in the 1960s).
Ethiopia was suspended by FIFA in 2008 after the Federal Parliamentary Assembly
sacked Ashebir Woldegiorgis from his position as EFF President and replaced him with their candidate Ahmed Yasin. As a result FIFA, who oppose government interference in football, suspended the country in July 2008. The suspension was lifted in July 2009 following the election of new EFF leaders.
made their first appearance in 1947 and since then have enjoyed both highs and lows. As one of the few independent African states in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War Ethiopia were an important team in the development of the international football in the continent.
, finishing as runners-up to Egypt. They were also present at the 1959 installment
before hosting the 1962 tournament
. Led by goalscorer Mengistu Worku
Ethiopia defeated Tunisia
and the United Arab Republic (Egypt) to be crowned African champions for the only time in their history.
They hosted the tournament again in 1968
and 1976
but by then decline had set in and their last appearance in a finals tournament came in 1982
.
in 1987 as hosts and repeated the same triumph in 2001 and 2004 before adding a fourth title in Rwanda
in 2005.
or any other international club competitions. The best performances in this cup were the semi-final places achieved by the Cotton Factory Club in 1964 and Saint George in 1967.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. Although not one of the leading footballing nations in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Ethiopia has nonetheless produced some outstanding teams at both club and international level as well as some talented individual players.
Early years
Football in Ethiopia came under the control of the Ethiopian Football FederationEthiopian Football Federation
The Ethiopian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Ethiopia. It was founded in 1943, affiliated to FIFA in 1953 and to CAF in 1957. It organizes the national football league and the national team....
(EFF) when that organisation was founded in 1943. The EFF affiliated to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
in 1953 and to the Confederation of African Football
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
in 1957. League football had been inexistence before the formation of the EFF with regional leagues contested during the 1938/39 and 1939/40 seasons in the provinces of Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
, Harar
Harar
Harar is an eastern city in Ethiopia, and the capital of the modern Harari ethno-political division of Ethiopia...
, Amhara, Scioa and Galla-Sidamo as part of the Italian occupation
Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial administrative subdivision established in 1936, resulting from the merger of the Ethiopian Empire with the old colonies of Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea. In August 1940, British Somaliland was conquered and annexed to Italian East Africa...
.
The first recognised version of the Ethiopian Premier League
Ethiopian Premier League
Ethiopian Premier League is the top division of the Ethiopian Football Federation, it was created in 1944.-Ethiopian Premier League Clubs - 2011/12:*Adama City FC *Air Force FC ...
was contested in 1944 when five teams representing the various communities of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
competed for a title won by the British Military Mission-BMME. The Ethiopian Cup
Ethiopian Cup
The Ethiopian Cup is the top knockout tournament of the Ethiopian football. It was created in 1945.-Winners:*1945 : British Military Mission-BMME *1946 : Army *1947 : Polisportiva...
was added the following year and has been contested regularly since (albeit with some gaps, notably in the 1960s).
Contemporary football
The league has been an annual competition since 1948 with Saint George FC emerging as the country's leading club with 24 titles.Ethiopia was suspended by FIFA in 2008 after the Federal Parliamentary Assembly
Federal Parliamentary Assembly
The Parliament of Ethiopia consists of two chambers:*The House of Federation *The House of People's Representatives...
sacked Ashebir Woldegiorgis from his position as EFF President and replaced him with their candidate Ahmed Yasin. As a result FIFA, who oppose government interference in football, suspended the country in July 2008. The suspension was lifted in July 2009 following the election of new EFF leaders.
International
The Ethiopia national football teamEthiopia national football team
The Ethiopia national football team represents Ethiopia in association football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia...
made their first appearance in 1947 and since then have enjoyed both highs and lows. As one of the few independent African states in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War Ethiopia were an important team in the development of the international football in the continent.
Africa Cup of Nations
Ethiopia was one of the pioneers of the Africa Cup of Nations and were one of only three teams enter the inaugural 1957 tournament1957 African Cup of Nations
The 1957 African Cup of Nations was the first edition of the African Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa . It was hosted by Sudan, and three teams participated: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia....
, finishing as runners-up to Egypt. They were also present at the 1959 installment
1959 African Cup of Nations
The 1959 African Cup of Nations was the second edition of the African Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa . It was hosted and won by the United Arab Republic, a short-lived confederation between Egypt and Syria. Only three teams participated: host team United Arab Republic, Sudan...
before hosting the 1962 tournament
1962 African Cup of Nations
The 1962 African Cup of Nations was the third edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Ethiopia. Nine countries entered the competition, including the reigning champions Egypt, meaning for the first time a qualification tournament was required. As...
. Led by goalscorer Mengistu Worku
Mengistu Worku
Mengistu Worku was an Ethiopian footballer, recognised as the best Ethiopian footballer in history...
Ethiopia defeated Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
and the United Arab Republic (Egypt) to be crowned African champions for the only time in their history.
They hosted the tournament again in 1968
1968 African Cup of Nations
The 1968 African Cup of Nations was the sixth edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Ethiopia. The field expanded to eight teams, split into two groups of four; the top two teams in each group advanced to the semifinals...
and 1976
1976 African Cup of Nations
The 1976 African Cup of Nations was the tenth edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Ethiopia. The format of competition changed from 1974: the field of eight teams was still split into two groups of four, but a final stage was introduced with...
but by then decline had set in and their last appearance in a finals tournament came in 1982
1982 African Cup of Nations
The 1982 African Cup of Nations was the 13th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Libya. Just like in 1980, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four...
.
CECAFA
Ethiopia are also members of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) and take part in their competitions. They first won the CECAFA CupCECAFA Cup
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is the oldest football tournament in Africa. It is a tournament of FIFA and the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations , and includes national teams from Central and East Africa...
in 1987 as hosts and repeated the same triumph in 2001 and 2004 before adding a fourth title in Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
in 2005.
Club football
No Ethiopian club side has ever won the CAF Champions LeagueCAF Champions League
The CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
or any other international club competitions. The best performances in this cup were the semi-final places achieved by the Cotton Factory Club in 1964 and Saint George in 1967.