CAF Champions League: Ethiopian Insurance’s preparations disrupted by departure of quartet

Ethiopian Insurance is gearing up for their 2025/26 CAF Champions League preliminary round clash against Zanzibar champions Mlandege on Saturday, September 20, in Addis Ababa, after losing four key players. The Ethiopian flagbearers in the competition kicked off their preparation in early August 2025, but the loss of key players has raised eyebrows.

The Ethiopian champions were expected to strengthen their squad ahead of their continental journey and the 2025/26 Ethiopian Premier League season. However, the opposite happened, as they lost four important members of their title-winning squad. Team captain and midfielder Haider Sherefa failed to renew his contract with Insurance. Pan-Africa Football understands the Ethiopian international is expected to sign for a new club in the coming days.

Surprisingly, striker duo Mohammed Abera and Abubaker Sani left to join Mechal and Adama Ketema respectively. Creative midfielder Dawit Tefera also signed for league newcomers Arsi Negele. Head coach Gebremedhin Haile did, however, sign Saint George forward Amanuel Erbo and managed to retain Ethiopia’s first-choice goalkeeper, Abubaker Nura.

Ethiopian clubs’ net salary spending per annum must not exceed $485,885 USD (70,000,000 Birr) under new financial regulations introduced by the Ethiopian Premier League Share Company. The directive has hindered some clubs from spending more on players. Last season, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia head coach Betselot Leulsegede lamented the regulation after his side failed to retain their league title alongside their poor outings.

Insurance now hopes to be ready for the Mlandege challenge with the players at their disposal.