Wogene Gezaghen’s Ethiopian Premier League award snub sparks debate

Ethiopian Insurance players hold Wogene Gezaghen after he was snubbed from the EPL Awards. Photo: Tikvah Sport Images

The 2024/25 Ethiopian Premier League Player of the Season and Youth Player of the Year nominations came under fire after Ethiopian Insurance midfielder Wogene Gezaghen was excluded from both categories. Gezaghen won the league with Ethiopian Insurance and was an instrumental player throughout the season for Gebremedhin Haile’s side.

Ethiopian Premier League Share Company media relations head, Mulugeta Desalgen, told SuperSport that the league followed regulations when announcing the nominees for this season. “Head coaches, goalkeeper coaches, and team captains are the ones who nominate players for the three categories. There are certain criteria they must follow. For instance, when nominating a player for MVP of the season, they cannot nominate someone from their own team. If a player was nominated for or won the Youth Player of the Season previously, they are automatically ineligible for that category in the following season.”

Gezaghen was nominated for the Youth Player of the Season in the 2023/24 season. Under the regulations, the Ethiopian international is ineligible for the Youth Player category in 2024/25. Gezaghen made 33 league appearances and scored four goals as Insurance secured their maiden league title. Many fans of Ethiopian football have expressed frustration over his absence from both categories, and Desalgen acknowledged that Gezaghen had a superb season.

“Thirty-six coaches and captains in total had the right to nominate players for the annual award. Only one coach nominated Gezaghen,” said Desalgen, explaining why Gezaghen did not receive enough votes to be shortlisted.

After Ethiopian Insurance defeated Hadiya Hossana 3-2 in Week 35, Gezaghen expressed his dismay over the nominations in a post-match press conference. His teammates Hayder Sherefa, Mohamed Abera, and Dawit Tefera have been nominated for the Player of the Season accolade.

Desalgen further added that the award nomination criteria and regulations could be amended before the start of the new season.