Top 5 players in Ethiopia Premier League

Professional football in Ethiopia officially kicked off when the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) was founded in 1943. The EFF later joined international football groups such as FIFA in 1953 and CAF in 1957, the year Ghana gained independence.

It is reported that the Italians were the first to introduce football in Ethiopia. The first Ethiopian Football League began with five teams among several communities in the country. The Ethiopian Cup was later added as a top knockout competition. Ethiopia has done a stellar job in developing its football which has seen its players and teams battle the best on the African continent. Ethiopia Premier League attracts talented footballers in Ethiopia and also outside the country.

Here are the five top players in Ethiopia.

Abubeker Nassir

Born in Addis Ababa, the 22-year-old attacker has been described as a talented attacker. He plays for Ethiopia Premier League club Ethiopian Coffee Sport Club, popularly known as Ethiopia Bunna.

Last season Nassir stunned every football fan in Ethiopia when he scored 29 goals in 23 appearances and assisted three goals for the Ethiopian Coffee Sport Club. His performance that year caught the attention of some big clubs on the continent.  

Nassir smashed several local records, including that of Getaneh Kebede, who scored 25 goals in 30 games in 2017.

This season Nassir hasn’t stopped dazzling fans in the Ethiopia Premier League. He has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances for the Ethiopian Coffee Sport Club.

Getaneh Kebede

Born in Dilla, the 30-year-old experienced attacker is part of the Ethiopian National Team, also known as Walias. Despite playing in the South African Premier Soccer League for Bidvest Wits FC (2013/2015) and University of Pretoria FC (2015/2016), Kebede is a well-known player in the Ethiopia Premier League. He started his Ethiopia Premier League career at Dedebit FC; he played for the Blue and White club from 2010 to 2013. After returning from South Africa, Kebede played for them again from 2016 to 2017.

Saint George S.C., the 29-time league winners, announced on August 14, 2018, that they had signed Getaneh to a two-year deal. 

Kebede currently plays for Wolkite Ketema SC; he has played 23 games this season, scored 11 goals, and assisted two goals. He also played two games in the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon.

Richmond Adongo

Adongo is a Ghanaian attacker who currently plays for Addis Ababa Ketema FC. He joined the Ethiopia Premier League in 2017, featuring for Wolwalo Adigrat University FC till 2019. He signed for Dire Dawa Ketema SC, popularly known as the Orange Ones, in 2019, frequently playing for them until 2021. 

Adongo has made 20 appearances in the Ethiopia Premier League this season. He has scored 11 goals for Dire Dawa Ketema SC and assisted two goals. 

He previously played for Swedish club IFK Goteborg, Ghanaian clubs Liberty Professionals, Amidaus Professionals, and Berekum Chelsea FC, Omani club Saham Club, and Zambian club Buildcon FC.

Bereket Desta

Desta is an Ethiopian attacking midfielder who plays for Gondar-based Fasil Kenema FC, one of the oldest teams in Ethiopia. Born in Arsi Negele, the 23-year-old began his professional career in the Ethiopia Premier League with the Adama-based Adama City Football Club.

He made 20 appearances for the Leenca Gurraacha in the 2020/2021 season and scored two goals. The attacking midfielder left the Red and Whites to join Amhara-based Fasil Kenema FC for an undisclosed amount. This season Bereket Desta is the chief creator for his team and the Ethiopia Premier League. He has assisted seven goals and scored six goals in 24 appearances for the Emperors.

Charles Lukwago

The top five players in Ethiopia would not be complete without including the number one goalkeeper in the league, Charles Lukwago. Born in Kampala, the 28-year-old goalkeeper is a member of the Uganda national football team, popularly known as the Cranes. Ethiopia Premier League side Kidus Giorgis SA signed Charles Lukwago in the summer of 2021 on a two-year deal. Lukwago was signed by the Uganda Premier League club Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club. Moreover, he was the team’s captain from 2019 till he left the club. The goalkeeper has played 20 games in the Ethiopia Premier League this season, conceded five goals, and kept 15 clean sheets.

Obviously, a top-five is not enough to describe the brilliancy of the Ethiopian Premier League. There are many more talented players from the Ethiopian Premier League who are worth talking about.