Ethiopia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying build-up starts with two friendly matches against Sierra Leone and Uganda, according to the country’s football federation (EFF).
The Walia Ibex have risen four places to 137 in the FIFA Rankings that were released nine days ago, despite not being in-active since their qualification to the next Africa Cup of Nations.
The EFF has quickly secured a 23 August date with Leone Stars and another on 29 August against Uganda Cranes at Bahir Dar as Ethiopia prepare to open their Russia 2022 campaign against Ghana in September’s Group G fixture.
“We have secured two-high profile friendly matches for the Walia Ibex against Sierra Leone and Uganda, on the 23rd and 29th of September,” a source at EFF told Ducor Sports.
“It is part of our on-going drive to expose as many players as we can, so this should be another springboard for our young stars.”
Walia Ibex will start their World Cup qualifying campaign away against Ghana on September 3 before facing Zimbabwe four days later in Bahir Dar.
Ethiopia national team coach Wubetu Abate has already named a squad of 28 players, who are in camp preparing for the buildup matches.
The squad is dominated by local-based players led Ethiopia Bunna striker Abubeker Nassir and Mujib Kassim of Fasil Kenema.
Ethiopia squad:
Goalkeepers: Fasil Gebremichael, Firew Getahun, Teklemariam Shanko, Jemal Tassew.
Defenders: Menaf Awol, Yared Baye, Aschalew Tamene, Desta Yohannes, Suliman Hameed, Remedan Yesuf, Asrat Tunjo, Mignot Debebe
Midfielders: Haider Sherefa, Mesud Mohamed, Amanuel Yohannes, Tafesse Solomon, William Solomon, Gatoch Panom, Yehun Endeshaw, Habtamu Takeste, Surafel Dagnachew, Fitsum Alemu
Forward: Shemeket Gugsa, Abubeker Nassir, Amanuel Gebremichael, Getaneh Kebede, Abel Yalew, Mujib Kassim.
