Sahle names 23-man Ethiopia squad for Malawi friendlies
Ethiopia national team head coach Yohannes Sahle has summoned 23 players for the friendly games against Malawi in June 2026. The Waliyas, as they are nicknamed, will play against the Flames twice in Dire Dawa as part of their preparation for the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Sahle has called up 13 players who […]
Black News 
Ethiopia national team head coach Yohannes Sahle has summoned 23 players for the friendly games against Malawi in June 2026. The Waliyas, as they are nicknamed, will play against the Flames twice in Dire Dawa as part of their preparation for the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sahle has called up 13 players who were not included in the AFCON qualifier preliminary round match against Sao Tome and Principe. The head coach opted to summon a squad predominantly made up of players from Ethiopian Premier League clubs. No foreign-based Ethiopian player has received a call-up for the friendly matches, as Sahle wanted to focus more on local players.
The ten retained players from the Sao Tome and Principe clash are goalkeepers Abubeker Nura, Firew Getahun, and Seid Habtamu. Team captain Yared Bayeh, Ethiopian Coffee center-back Ramkel James, and Mechal defender Girum Hagos are also included.
Midfield duo Habtamu Tekeste and Biniyam Ayten will be in Dire Dawa with the national side. Strikers Mesfin Tafesse and Chernet Gugesa have also retained their places in the squad.
In a surprise call-up, Sahle included Hawassa Ketema’s creative midfielder Biniyam Belay and Adama Ketema forward Dawa Hotessa. Hotessa is no stranger to the national team, as he has been part of the squad on and off for more than a decade.
Sahle has handed debut call-ups to more than five players. Hadiya Hosaina midfielder Musse Kebela, Negelle Arsi center-back Rohobot Solalo, Dire Dawa Ketema duo Jemil Yakob and Redwan Sherif, and Bahir Dar Ketema defender Fitsum Fitialew have all received their first senior national team call-ups.
Ethiopian Premier League second top scorer Adis Gidey returned to the squad, while top scorer Abel Yalew missed out. Oman Professional League top scorer Kenean Markneh and Saudi Arabia-based Gatoch Panom were also overlooked in the recent call-up.
The Ethiopian Football Federation stated that the friendly games will be played at Dire Dawa Stadium on June 6 and 9. Ethiopia has also lined up another friendly match on July 11 against Major League Soccer side DC United.
(Pan-African Football)
