‘He has everything’: Ziemer lauds Ethiopia U-17 sensation Dawit Kassaw

Ethiopian Under-17 national team head coach Benjamin Ziemer is full of praise for his forward Dawit Kassaw.

The Three Point Academy striker scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 rout of South Sudan in the ongoing 2025 African U-17 Nations Cup CECAFA Zone Qualifier, which is being hosted by Ethiopia.

Kassaw was on target against Rwanda and has now bagged four goals in two games. Ziemer said he is well aware of the potential of his striker. “He has everything. He has the speed and feeling for the game. He has a technique. He scores goals.

He ran more in our last friendly match than any player in the EPL (Ethiopian Premier League) this year. He has enormous endurance. He has acceleration and is incredibly brave,” said the American coach.

Ethiopia U-17 Coach Raves About Dawit Kassaw

Kassaw, a Bahir Dar native, was among the star players who were selected for the Road to 2029 project. He was instrumental when Three Point were crowned champions of the Addis Ababa U-17 competition in the 2024/25 season.

Ziemer also noted Kassaw can be the next big thing in Ethiopian football. “I think step by step he has the potential to be part of a golden generation. In my opinion, he can already play in the EPL.”

The hosts are top of Group A with six points, and they will be playing Somalia U17 on matchday three to confirm their place in the semifinal.Is this conversation helpful so far?