NEWS
Ethiopian Football Federation part ways with head coach Wubetu
The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has parted ways with head coach Wubetu Abate.
EFF announced today that following Abate’s resignation later submitted last week, they have agreed to part ways with the coach by mutual consent.
“Following the decision of the EFF executive committee to accept the resignation, the contract has been terminated by mutual consent,” said the communication by the Federation.
Abate was appointed coach of Ethiopia’s national team in September 2020 after the Federation opted not to renew the contract of former coach Abraham Mebratu.
“ I sincerely thank you for the contributions you have made to our country as head coach of the Ethiopian Senior men national team. I wish you all the best,” said the EFF General Secretary Bahiru Tilahun.
The experienced Abate was also head coach for the national team when it failed to make it out of the group stage at the recent 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Algeria.
In the on-going 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers under the guidance of Abate Ethiopia is bottom of Group D after four matches with 3 points after their famous 2-0 win against Egypt. But the Ethiopian team has only picked one win and lost three matches.
Abate, a former player, managed numerous domestic sides, including Adama City, Ethiopian Coffee, Dedebit, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Hawassa City, Fasil Kenema, and Sebeta Town FC. He also had a brief stint at Sudanese Premier League side, Al Ahli Shendi. He led Ethiopian Coffee to their first ever major trophy in a decade back in 2011. He also won the 2019 Ethiopian Cup with Fasil Kenema.
The Walias of Ethiopia are expected to have a new coach when they tour the United States of America in July this year.
The media accreditation application window for media interested in covering the CECAFA Elective General Assembly has opened today and will run till February 2nd, 2026.
The CECAFA Elective General Assembly will take place on Saturday, 7th February 2026 in Djibouti.
Media interested in covering the Assembly will need to process their visas to Djibouti.
Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further information in due course.
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Further Enquiries:
CECAFA Communications
The World Football governing body FIFA has included Kenya and Tanzania to be part of the 2026 FIFA Series to take place March 23-31st in Rwanda.
On Monday FIFA announced the 48 teams to take part in the 2026 FIFA Series during the during international match windows in March and April.
The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups, including nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with all six continental confederations represented.
For the first time Rwanda will host the Series and have been placed in Group A alongside Estonia, Grenada and Kenya. Group B will have another team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Tanzania together with Aruba, Liechtenstein and Maco of China.
Among the men’s teams taking part in the FIFA Series 2026, five teams, namely Australia, Cape Verde, Curacao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan, have qualified for this year’s FIFA World Cup.
The men’s groups will be hosted by Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, with Rwanda hosting two groups.
The women’s groups will be held in Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire and Thailand.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohammed Rashid said he was very happy about the development because Harambee Stars will get the opportunity to play more International matches.
“It is exactly the kind of exposure and competition our national team needs as we continue to grow and raise our standards,” added the FKF President.
Group A: Estonia, Grenada, Kenya, Rwanda
Group B: Aruba, Liechtenstein, Macao of China, Tanzania
Teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone Djibouti and South Sudan will face off in the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
The draw for the preliminary round of the qualifiers was conducted on January 13th in Rabat, Morocco. Twelve lowly ranked teams as per the FIFA rankings were drawn.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Eritrea who also return to the AFCON qualifiers after some years will take on Eswatini, while Ethiopia will battle Sao Tome & Principe. Burundi will also face Chad in the other match, and Somalia take on Mauritius.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the preliminary matches for the qualifiers will be played during the next FIFA International Window, March 25-31 March 2026.
The six winners of the preliminary round ties over two legs will advance to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Preliminary round fixture
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Chad vs Burundi
Somalia vs Mauritius
Seychelles vs Lesotho
Eritrea vs Eswatini
Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia
Young Africans SC have edged Azam FC 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs to win the NMB Mapinduzi Cup 2026.
After a goalless final in normal time in a final played at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba, Zanzibar on January 13th, Young Africans SC proved the better side on spot kicks.
Young Africans SC dominated were a better side on the day, but Azam FC goalkeeper Aishi Manula made several saves including a late penalty by Pacome Zouzoua.
Azam FC, the five time winners also had Cheickna Diakite sent off for a second booking after 73 minutes.
The President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi also graced the final.
To reach the final Azam FC eliminated Simba SC 1-0, while Young Africans SC ejected Singida Black Stars FC by the same margin.
NMB Bank were the sponsors of the the tournament which attracted 10 teams including guest side Uganda Revenue Authority FC.
The competition was organized by the government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF).
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