Abraham Mebratu, who had been coaching Yemen National Football Team and [in March 2018] helped the senior team qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time, pledged to help Team Ethiopia qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals
By Michael Madyira (Goal.com)
New Ethiopia coach Abraham Mebratu is set to begin preparations for the 2019 AFCON qualifiers next week as he looks forward to their clash against Sierra Leone.
Following Ethiopia’s 5-0 thumping at the hands of Ghana in Kumasi, Abraham Mebratu has inherited what could be a monumental task of inspiring his side in their remaining five matches.
The 48-year-old coach signed a two-year contract on Monday, 30 July 2018, and is expected to name his backroom staff soon.
Making September’s assignment tougher is the fact that their opponents Sierra Leone have improved, having started the campaign on a 2-1 winning note against Kenya at home.
“We will be summoning three players in each position,” Abraham said at a press conference during his unveiling.
“We will trim the squad to 23. We will begin preparations on August 7 in Hawassa.
“I promise to give 100 percent to the Ethiopian national team. Nonetheless, a national team coach could not do the job all by himself so I need to support of all the stakeholders,” he added.
The proposed friendly match against rival neighbors Eritrea is highly-anticipated by Abraham Mebratu to help him gear up for Sierra Leone.
The former Yemen coach has also included an alternative plan if the Eritrea match fails to materialize with a West African opponent being the next option.
“I know EFF (Ethiopia Football Federation) has reached on the Eritrean National Football Federation on a possible friendly game. I am still waiting on the date of the friendly game but if that match fails to materialize we shall seek a West African opponent for a build-up game,” he said.
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