Print
Email
0
0
Dejected and somewhat embarrassed black lions Coach Sewnet Bishaw said they were shattered after their loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria but instead of taking responsibility, blamed the Cameroonian referee for the defeat that effectively ended the dream of Ethiopia participating in the global showpiece- the 2014 world cup in Brazil. To our surprise, the pathetic mentor who was a high school biology teacher before acquiring the top job did not offer to resign after committing yet another unforgivable tactical blunder that killed the vivid spirit of millions of Ethiopian soccer lovers.
“Sewnet Bishaw deserves to be arrested for pulling out Adane Girma who was a constant threat to the Nigerian defense. Sewnet took the sting out of the thriller when he substitutes Adane.†A tearful female black lions fan told reporters in Addis Ababa.
After the final whistle, some black lion’s players cried their eyes out; midfield talisman Asrat Megersa in particular was inconsolable.
They dominated the high-octane game played at 2,300M above sea level with 61 percent ball possession in the first half, but no goal to show for it. The breath taking one touch football that brought the 35,000 Addis Ababa stadium faithful to their feet was not good enough to produce the much-needed goals. Aimless dribbling, fluffed chances, and goal keeping blunders cost the team dearly.
When predators made prey on their home turf, something is seriously wrong and needs urgent fix. After Tuesday’s hotly contested world cup qualifier matches in Europe, Poland and Croatia have fired their respective Coaches for losing to England and Scotland. That is what progressive nations do. The Ethiopian FA must follow suit and fire the arrogant and pedantic Sewnet Bishaw. He has overstayed his welcome.
He took the team to AFCON-South Africa and returned home with wooden spoon instead of the coveted trophy. The football fraternity was stunned when Ethiopian FA officials hailed him as the ultimate hero not for winning but for losing. The little progress the team made was also wrongfully attributed to the clueless coach who managed a single goal and conceded seven, with two goalkeepers shown red cards in just three matches at AFCON- South Africa. His reign as the national team coach was characterized by chaotic dressing room, poor organization, and ill-discipline.  Nonetheless, he kept the job.
According to a Super Sport commentary, four out of five Addis Ababans don their team jersey and the price of it went up from just three dollars to ten dollars on match day.
“We have made history by qualifying for AFCON and coming this far in the world cup qualifier is a huge achievement.†Sewnet Bishaw told ETV reporters after the ignominious defeat against the Nigerians. It was this wrong mindset of celebrating mediocrity that hindered the progress of the team since he took over as manager of Africa’s best ball playing team through the controversial TPLF cadre deployment system.
Beating lowly teams like Somalia and South Africa, losing to mid-table teams like Burkina Faso, and easily surrendering to top teams like Nigeria are the legacies of Sewnet Bishaw and his partner- in- crime, former Ethiopian FA boss Sahilu Gebrewold.
Irate Ethiopian soccer fans will remember Sewnet Bishaw for his poor accomplishments and for losing the most important match in the nation’s history- a foolish manager who failed to use the array of talent at his disposal to good effect.
|
Opposition party leader his Excellency Dr Birhanu Nega supporting the black lions |
Now the task of saving the badly wounded black lions rests on the shoulders of the newly elected football administrators. The current crop of players dubbed Africa’s Barcelona deserve to win a major trophy before retiring from the sport since soccer is a very short career. They need a fresh start under excellent manager with new football philosophy, new backroom staff, and a renowned goalkeeper coach; to concur the world.
With star players like Yared Zenabu, minyahil Teshome, Berhanu Bogale, Biadegleng Elias, the two Salahdins, Addis Hinsa, Fuad Ibrahim, and Getaneh Kebede, it is time for the new leadership of Ethiopian football to dream big.
Former Dutch and Chelsea superstar Ruud Gullet is a great admirer of the beautiful black lions. He spoke of them highly during the 29th AFCON edition staged here in South Africa. He might cherish managing them although we know that he will not come cheap.
But the man most of today’s Ethiopian players love and respect, Serbian born mentor Milutin Sredojevic is the choice of most black lion fans the Horn Times spoke to. In 2006, Milutin stunned this writer when he told a South African media contingent that Ethiopia is the gold mine of fresh soccer talent in Africa. Milutin introduced Fikru Tefera to international club football and he believes players like Addis Hinsa and Asrat Megersa are capable of playing for top European clubs.
The 44 year old is currently the coach of Ugandan national team where his employers described his progress and achievements as “meritorious.†Before moving to Kampala, Milutin Sredojevic coached his country’s under 20 side and from 2004-2006 he was the manager of Ethiopian glamour club St George.
Another former soccer great who can take Ethiopian football to new heights is the Jamaica born Briton John Barnes, 49.
Most Ethiopians remember Barnes for his humanitarian work during the dark years of civil war and severe famine that killed thousands in northern Ethiopia. Deeply touched by the tragedy, Barnes set up feeding centers where several malnourished kids nourished back to full health and grew up to adulthood. He has a very emotional attachment to Ethiopia.
After ending his football career at Charlton Athletic in 1999, Barnes coached the mighty Celtic alongside the legendary Kenny Dalglish and managed the Jamaican national team in 2008.
One of the most prolific strikers to grace the premier league, John Barnes is currently working as commentator and pundit for SuperSport and ESPN.
It is every black lion fan’s dream to see a famous coach managing their beloved team to glory. It is all up to the new football administrators.
Average Rating