Afcon forces Ethiopia to pick second team for Cecafa tournament
Ethiopia have named a second string team for the 2012 Cecafa Cup in Uganda.
The Ethiopian Football Federation on Thursday revealed the 21-man squad that will be headed by Coach Seyoum Kebede and his assistant, Daniel Gebremariam.
Ethiopia have been drawn in Group A of the Cecafa Cup alongside hosts Uganda, South Sudan and Kenya.
Though no reasons were advanced for the decision to send a second string team, it is widely reported in the local media that the head coach wants to preserve most of his key players from picking up injuries or suffering from fatigue before the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in January.
Ethiopia who are making their return to the competition have been drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Zambia,Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers (3): Binyam Habtamu (Hawassa City), Dereje Alemu (Sebeta) and Samson Assefa (Harar Beer).
Defenders (5): Girma Bekele (Hawassa), Aklilu Ayenew (Dedebit FC), Mehari Mena (CBE), Robel Girma and Moges Tadesse (Sidama Coffee).
Midfielders (8): Gatoch Panom and Massoud Mohammed (Eth. Coffee), Yared Zenabu & Mesfin Kidane (St. George), Elias Mamo (CBE), Tilahun Wolde (Defence), Abdulkarim Hassen (EEPCO) and Mulualem Mesfin (Arba Minch).
Forwards: (5): Yonathan Kebede (EEPCO), Dawit Fekadu (Dedebit FC), Amele Milkiyas (Arba Minch), Fuad Ibrahim (Minnesota Stars – USA) and Fikru Teffera (Thanh Hoa – Vietnam).
