Ethiopia coach Teferi on Egypt: We will focus on Salah and Marmoush

From right to left: Ethiopia team captain Asechalew Tamene, head coach Mesay Teferi and federation secretary general Bahiru Tilahun. Photo Credit: Omna Taddele

Ethiopia national team head coach Mesay Teferi said his charges are ready to stop high-flying Egyptian attacker Mohamed Salah when the two sides meet in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying this week. Ethiopia will host Egypt this Friday in Morocco for the fifth round of matches in Group A.

Teferi faced local media at the Ethiopian Football Federation headquarters earlier today. He said the team have been preparing to stop star player Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush. "The quality they possess is well known. Salah is on the right so we should defend that space cautiously. We are prepared for it."

Teferi noted his charges won't focus only on Salah and Marmoush but rather the whole Egyptian team is a threat in the match. "We don't focus on the two (Salah and Marmoush) only. We are rather prepared for the others too. But we will focus more on the two."

Ethiopia are fifth in Group A with three points after four games. Egypt tops the group with 10 points.