AFCON (Q): Sahle announces Ethiopia squad for São Tomé and Príncipe doubleheader

Newly appointed Ethiopia coach Yohannes Sahle has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2027 African Cup of Nations preliminary round doubleheader against São Tomé and Príncipe later this month. Sahle returned to the helm after nine years, and his squad is dominated by local players from the CBE Ethiopian Premier League.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ethiopian Football Federation (@ethiopiaff)

Sahle announced his squad earlier on Wednesday at the Ethiopian Football Federation headquarters around Welo Sefer, Addis Ababa. Four players received their first-ever national team call-ups. Negelle Arsi winger Kebbe Bizuneh, Mechal defender Girum Hagos, Wolwalo Adigrat University midfielder Biruk Endale, and Adama Ketema’s Bizuayehu Seifie have been summoned for the first time for the Sao Tome & Principe test.

Sahle opted to recall Saudi Arabia-based midfielder Gatoch Panom and Oman-based striker Kenean Markneh. Both players were ignored in recent call-ups by former coach Mesay Teferi. Al Shabab’s Markneh is having a superb season for his Omani side, as he has reached double-digit goals in all competitions in his debut season.

Ethiopian Insurance goalkeeper Abubeker Nura, Sidama Coffee captain Yared Bayeh, and Ethiopian Premier League top scorer Abel Yalew are also in the squad. Sahle stated that his staff has already begun planning for the São Tomé and Príncipe tie, and recent games of the Central African island nation have been reviewed for preparation purposes.

The team will commence preparation after the end of Week 24 matches of the Ethiopian Premier League. São Tomé and Príncipe will host Ethiopia in the first leg at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco, on March 27. The return leg will be on March 31 at Dire Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia.