Ethiopian federation scout David Beshah discusses the national team, more on efforts to field dual national players

Ethiopian Football Federation Chief Scout David Beshah

Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) Chief Scout David Beshah attended Ethiopia's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games in Morocco. The German-based former Ethiopian international is responsible for scouting potential Ethiopia national team players from the diaspora. Beshah spoke exclusively to Pan-Africa Football from his home in Koln, Germany regarding the Ethiopian national side and his work.

Do you think Ethiopia can at least get a runner-up position to progress to the playoffs in World Cup qualifying?

As long as it is theoretically possible, we have to believe in it, right? So, we should believe that we can achieve it. Or we should just be humble and see the next games. I think the next game is in September in Egypt. That will be a crucial game.

Also, the following games are crucial. We should be confident because if you want to compete in the biggest stage, you have to win all of your games. I hope we will fill the team with some foreign based player till then. Hopefully we would be able to play at home and get home advantage. I think we have to see how it unfolds. It is difficult but as long as it is possible, we have to do everything we can.

EFF secretary general Bahiru Tilahun stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave them the greenlight to go on with the plan to field players with Ethiopian roots. What’s the latest in that front?

That is exactly what happened. When I was in Morocco we talked with the Federation. Last time the green light was missing. It is kind of a support letter that is needed by FIFA. Finally, it happened now. We are really happy about this new development.

We hope to do this as soon as possible and if this happens maybe we can arrange a friendly game before the World Cup qualifiers in September to bring some foreign-based players. It will be an experience for them and they would also meet the local players.

What will be the outcome of this development?

I think if we finish up this process, we will make a huge change for Ethiopian football. I know some people might say we need academies and grassroots football. That is correct. But this will also benefit in building academies, building partnership with clubs abroad and attracting sponsors. If the national team is successful, this will benefit the whole country.

So, I am really looking forward to finally bringing these players. They can be senior and youth players. I am still touch with most of the players. The database is growing. We have a lot of work to do but I am looking forward to it. I think that is what we need to do. Everybody is doing it. Just look at teams in the other group, they are surprisingly topping or being second in the standings. Ethiopia will be the next surprise. I am confident on this.

Can you disclose the number of potential players that can represent Ethiopia that you have put up in the database?

The full database is a little bit more than 200 players now. Of course there are players that are playing lower divisions. For me, I mostly focus on the first and second divisions. I look into younger players. They usually loan out younger players to lower divisions so that they gain experience in senior level. Italy is an example. This is not the exact number that we can come up with. There are more players. Every time when I do my research or my network gets back to me, I find new players.

How do you try to get the foreign-based players who wish to represent Ethiopia once you get the green light from FIFA?

The first thing that we are going to do is to launch a website where everybody can register themselves. Even parents if they have children in academies they could register since those players are difficult to identify if you do not have a network on the ground. So we want to give them the chance to contact us directly. We are widening up our options. We have to rely on our research, network and they could contact us.

Davie Selke has been fantastic in the Bundesliga 2 with Hamburg. He is the leading scorer of the second tier. He is still eligible to represent Ethiopia and how do you assess his overall season? Is he still open to play for the Waliyas?

He is having a great season obviously. He is the top scorer of the league. I have been in touch with his agent before. He was really open to it. We have agreed that once the process is finished, we would meet again. He is also based in Hamburg. I understand that he wants to see a reality. He did not close the door and he said they are open to discuss.

Of course, they want to see that the process is finished. They want to see this whole thing first settled and a structured way to bring foreign-based players and have a strong team. I will go there (Hamburg) and see his response. But I am positive that he also can be interested to play for Ethiopia. He is now at his best footballing age. This might be a new experience for him. I have never talked to him directly but through his agent. I talked to his father Teddy, but not about his son. My feeling is that we have a good chance of getting him. I want to meet him in person.

For me it is important to meet the players in person. It is good to know their ability and how they perform. But the other thing is also I want to really be sure that those players are eager to play for Ethiopia. I do not want to convince somebody to play if they do not want to. I am not going to convince such players. I do not blame them. It is okay with me.

I hear people saying David Beshah is the one convincing the players. It is wrong... I am just offering them the opportunity. I also tell them my experience in representing Ethiopia. I want to tell them Ethiopia is also there. We love to have you. We are giving them the option. Then they have to decide.