Ethiopia Football Federation announced on Thursday it has agreed a two-year contract extension with coach Wubetu Abate.
Wubetu Abate, who has been in-charge of the Walia Ibex since 2020, will be expected to lead Ethiopia to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The 44-year-old has guided the team to one victory in their Nations Cup qualifying campaign so far,with one defeat.
Abate is being rewarded for qualifying Ethiopia to the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
He has been credited with assembling a young team made up of players who had previously represented other countries at age-group levels.
He succeeded Abraham Mebratu at Walias after the former contract expired on August 6,2020 and the Ethiopian FA opted not to renew his contract which lasted two years
Abate had a brief playing career with Pulp and Worket at the end of the 1990’s before injury made him hang up his boots.
He then turned to coaching and got a distinguished name in the process. His mesmerizing run with Adama Ketema in the 2007 season of the Ethiopian Premier League landed him a job at big spenders Dedebit but he left the club early.
He is famous for guiding Ethiopia Bunna to their first-ever – and last, to date – Ethiopian Premier League title in 2011, beating cross-city rivals Kidus Giorgis.
The new coach also had spells in Ethiopia with Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Hawassa Ketema, Fasil Kenema, and Sebeta Ketema.
He also had a successful stint at Sudanese side Al Ahli Shendi, where he guided the team to a third-place finish and participation in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Walya Antelopes are currently lying top in Group D with three points after they beat much fancied Egypt 1-0 defeat in the their second match after losing 2-1 to Malawi in the group opener.
Ethiopia will tackle Guinea in the African Cup of Nations qualifier in March next year.
