By Admin,

Ethiopia Walia Ibex new coach former International Yohannes Sahle has named a provisional squad consisting of 44 locally based players that will embark on preparations ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Sahle has called up a mixture of veteran experienced and young players whom he intends to work with before dropping the number to 23 with inclusion of the foreign based players.

The most notable absentee in the team is youngster Natnael Zeleke who was a revelation during the 2015 Afcon qualifiers discovered by Sahle’s predecessor Mariano Barreto as he has also been influential for St.George.

Sahle has recalled midfielder Asrat Megersa who was out in the cold but played a pivotal role in the road to Afcon 2013 and World Cup 2014 qualifers.Veteran goal keeper Sesay Bancha was also excluded from the team and most of the players who featured in 2013/2014 with Adane Girma who recently retired from International football also missing from the list as per his wish.

The squad that is a blend of experience and youth is expected to start preparations immediately after the Ethiopian premier league ended last week .

Goalkeepers:

1.Tarik Getnet(Dedebit), 2.Jemal Tasew(Mekelakeya), 3.Abel Mamo(Murger),4.Lealem Birhanu(Sidama Bunna)

Defenders:

5.Seyoum Tesfaye, 6.Aschlew Tameme,7.Tekalegn Dejene(Dedebit),8.Abdulkarim Mohammed, 9. Moges Tadese(Sidama Bunna),10.Zekarias Tuji,11.Salhadin Bargecho(St.George),12.Tedros Bekele,13.Tesfaye Bekele(Mekelakeya), 14.Tagel Abebe, 15.Berket Bogale(Arba Minch),16.Surafel Getachew(Murger), 17.Ephrem Wondwosen(Ethiopia Bunna), 18.Adisu Tesfaye(Wolayta Dicha), 19.Mujed Kasim, 20.Girma Bekele(Hawassa Kenema),

Wingers:

21.Ramkel Lok(Ethio Electric),22.Bahailu Assefa(St.George), 23.Tadele Mengesha(Dedebit),24.Takele Alemayehu(Adama Kenema), 25.Aschalew Girma(Ethiopia Buna), 26.Gaddisa Mebrate(Hawassa Kenema), 27.Ephrew Ashamo, 28.Sisaye Tolla(Nigd Bank)

Midfielders:

29.Biruk Kalbore(Wolyata Dicha), 30.Asrat Megersa(Dashen),31.Gatoch Panom(Ethiopia Bunna),32.Samson Tilahun(Dedebit), 33.Ashenafi Shiberu(Wolayta Dicha), 34.Mentesnot Adane(St.George),35.Tadesse Solomon(Hawassa Kenema),36.Ferew Solomon(Mekelakeya)

Strikers:

37.Baye Gezahegn(Wolayta Dicha),38.Biniyam Assefa(Ethiopia Bunna),39.Berket Yesehak(Dedebit),40.Mulualem Tilahun(Mekelakeya),41.Yonatan Kebede(Adama),42.Ephrem Kere(Murger),43.Alazar Fasika(Wo

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com