Mereja Forum

[Awash]

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

[Zmeselo]

I wonder, where the Tgray national team is ranked?

I posted this article today, & the headline is fitting to you 2 misfits:

ንሕጽርኻ ክተመሳስል፡ ንነዋሕቲ ኣሕጽር

ፍቱን ፍልስፍና ካድራት ወያነ::

[Sabur]

Awash - ኣወጣሽ ጓል እንደርታ ዓጋመ :

It is so obvious that you are an importer Agame.

Would you do yourself a favor to get the fvck out of Eritrean affairs?

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

[Zmeselo]

Football in Eritrea

Football in Eritrea is related to the sport most popular in this African country. After being under Ethiopian control, Eritrea gained its independence in 1991[1] and in 1998 the country became a member of FIFA.

The football in Eritrea was started during colonial times in Italian Asmara[2], when the Italians ruled the country. The first championship (amateur) was in 1936 [3]: the most important teams were "Gruppo Sportivo Cicero" (later Asmara Calcio and in the late 1940s renamed "GS Asmara"), "Gruppo Rionale Neghelli", "GS Zuco", "GS Melotti", "GS Ferrovieri", "GS Marina' and the "GS Decamerè". In December 1936 the first six indigenous Eritrean teams started to compete in their own league (separate from the Italian league) and the best 3 native clubs (all having Italian names) were: "Ardita", "Savoia", "Vittoria".[4]

The second championship was done in 1937 and was directly affiliated to the Italian Football Championship, as serie "D" or fourth level. It was divided in "Direttori" and Eritrea was the Direttorio XXIII Zona (Eritrea). The teams in the first Eritrean "Divisione" were:

• G.S. 175ª Compagnia Radio Genio, Asmara
• Dop. Ala Littoria
• Amba Galliano
• S.S. Asmara, Asmara
• G.A. Cicero
• Dop. Decameré
• G.S. Deposito Territoriale, Asmara
• Dop. Coloniale Eritreo Duca di Bergamo, Asmara
• Dopolavoro Ferroviario
• Gioventu Universitaria Fascista
• Dopolavoro O.C.R.A.E.
• Dop. Postelegrafonico, Asmara

The 1937 teams in the second Eritrean "Divisione" (amateur) were: G.S. 175ª Compagnia Radio Genio (B), Asmara; Aerobase; G.S. Capronia; Dopolavoro Gondrand and Zuco.

The first football stadium was built in 1938 Asmara during the Italian colonial period by the Italian businessman Francesco Cicero[5] and since then it is called Cicero Stadium. It was later used by the GS Asmara, the team winner of the first professional football championships in Eritrea with the Asmara-born Luciano Vassalo.

For the first time ever, an indigenous club, "Hamasien" (formed in 1944 with the best players of the existing indigenous clubs), was admitted to the "Eritrean Calcio-Football League"; 9 years after the first local clubs were founded (Hamasien finished 2nd; 1944 champions: GS Asmara). [6]

In the late 1940s the Asmara Calcio was renamed "GS Asmara" [7], won the Eritrean Championship in 1945-1947-1949.

In 1950, Eritrean (local) clubs set up their own football federation, which was joined by three of the old Italian colonial clubs ("Eritrea", "GS Asmara" and "Gejeret"). The league contained about 30 clubs, divided over 3 levels ("Serie A", "Serie B" and Serie C"). In 1953, the clubs were forced to join the Ethiopian Football Association.[8]

Between 1953 and the Eritrean full independence in 1993, Eritrean teams played in the Ethiopian Premier League, winning that league's championship 9 times. These Eritrean team champions were "Hamassien, "Akale Guzay", "Tele S.C.", "GS Asmara" and "Embassoyra":

1955: Hamassien (Asmara)
1957: Hamassien (Asmara)
1958: Akale Guzay (Eritrea)
1959: Tele S.C.(Asmara)
1969: Tele S.C. (Asmara)
1970: Tele S.C. (Asmara)
1972: GS Asmara (Asmara)
1973: GS Asmara (Asmara)
1974: Embassoyra (Eritrea)

Two of the most famous Eritrean footballers in Eritrean History football, Luciano Vassalo and his brother Italo, played for the Ethiopia national football team (because Eritrea was annexed to Ethiopia in those years) in the qualifying rounds for the 1962 FIFA World Cup[9] and won the 1962 African Cup of Nations (when Ethiopia obtained their only international trophy to date).

After being under Ethiopian control, Eritrea gained its independence in 1991-1993.[10] In 1998 the country became a member of FIFA.

Though in Eritrea Football Federation was formed in 1936, during the Italian colonialism, allowing indigenous teams to be established and run their own tournaments, it was nonetheless under the scrutiny and control of the Italians. The free and independent Football Federation was formed during the period of federation (1952-1962). After Ethiopia illegally annexed Eritrea the Football Federation had to go to back where it was during the Italian rule. Under heavy control. According to a document from the National Football Federation of Eritrea, the ENFF was re-established in 1992 following the nation’s independence and had its first statute in 1996 and was modified in 1998, totally based on the provisions of international standard of CAF and FIFA.The Eritrean National Football Federation included six committees: Finance, Competitions, Referees, Technical, Women and Public Relations.Eritrea Ministry of Information[11]

Since 1996 the Eritrean National Football Federation organizes the Eritrean Premier League and the Eritrea national football team. Most of the Eritrean Championships have been won by Red Sea FC (12 times) and by Adulis Club (3 times).

In recent years -because of dire economic and socio-political reasons- there have been many refugees leaving Eritrea and some football athletes travelling to competitions abroad have taken the opportunity to abscond. Indeed nine players and the national Eritrean team's coach disappeared in Kenya in December 2013.[12]

Furthermore, in 2018 World Cup qualification 10 players from the Eritrean football team have refused to return home after playing a World Cup qualifying match in Botswana and have been granted asylum there.[13]

Cicero Stadium



multipurpose stadium in Asmara, Eritrea, built in 1938 during the Italian occupation by the Italian businessman Francesco Cicero

Italo Vassalo- Eritrean footballer:

References

1. Bass, Sadie (2009-12-16). "The Case of Eritrea's Missing Soccer Team - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2 ... ccer-team/

2. Asmara italiana https://dadfeatured.blogspot.com/2018/0 ... smara.html

3. Calcio in Eritrea (in Italian) http://www.ilchichingiolo.it/cassetto34.htm

4. 1936 First Championship in Eritrea. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/erit36.html

5. Photo of Cicero stadium when inaugurated in 1939. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

6. Championship 1944/45 Eritrea. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/erit45.html

7. Photo of the 1960 "GS Asmara", showing the Italo-eritrean Luciano Vassalo standing second to the right. http://www.maitacli.it/images/stories/fenili1.jpg

8. Championship 1950 Eritrea. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/erit50.html

9. Owsianski, Jaroslaw. "World Cup 1962 - Goal Scorers". http://www.rsssf.com/tables/62qf-scor.html RSSSF. Retrieved 2009-06-22.

10. Bass, Sadie (2009-12-16). "The Case of Eritrea's Missing Soccer Team - ABC News". http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2 ... ccer-team/ Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.

11. History Of Football Sport In Eritrea At A Glance (Part II and Final) http://www.shabait.com/about-eritrea/ar ... -and-final

12. "Eritrean players and coach missing in Kenya". BBC. 17 December 2013. https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25415658

13. "Eritrean football players seek asylum in Botswana". BBC News. 2015-10-15. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34534975

14. Historical data of Eritrean Championships since 2010. http://crankshaw-sports-stats.com/histo ... a2011.html

[Zmeselo]

Expunging Ethiopian football’s Eritrean legacy


Ethiopia’s starting 11 pose for a team picture with trainer Tsehaye Bahre ahead of the 1962 AFCON final. Ethiopia would go on to win the match 4-2 and become African Champions for the first time (Image: Bezabeh Abetew)

December 15, 2018

By Zecharias Zelalem

http://www.ethiosports.com/2018/12/15/e ... an-legacy/

I’m Negash Teklit!

said the man looking towards the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC)’s camera, with a radiant smile, beaming with pride. Beyond the greying hair, it certainly didn’t look like the years had taken a toll on him. Tall, still firmly built, correct posture Negash Teklit’s physical exterieur is a far cry from that of many former sporting stars who’ve reached middle age. Typically, a decline in fitness of former footballers is most visible a decade or so after they no longer adhere to the rigorous training regimes that they’ve built their careers on. Putting on pounds and a potbelly, footballers are often a shell of their formerly lean, fit selves. But decades after retiring from a storied career, Negash not only looks quite fit, he almost looks young enough to be able to resume his career, perhaps for a season or two.

On this day some five months or so ago, Negash was clad in a suit and red tie combo that complimented his cheery demeanor. He was among a slew of Eritrean sporting stars present at Asmara International Airport to welcome the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. A historical occasion, the Ethiopian leader’s arrival in Eritrea and meeting with Eritrea’s President Isaias Afewerki sealed an end to decades worth of political hostility that followed the devastating 1998-2000 Ethio-Eritrean war. A festive occasion for the peoples of both countries, the creme de la creme of Eritrean society, athletes, entertainers and various celebrities were present to mark the monumental restoration of diplomatic ties. Ethiopians and Eritreans celebrated an end to the political gridlock and international media extensively covered what was a truly refreshing, feel good story.

Among those in Asmara who greeted the visiting Ethiopian delegation, Zersenay Tadesse. Eritrea’s first ever Olympic medalist and a world class long distance runner in his heyday. He was accompanied by a number of the country’s top athletes and cyclists, all dressed in national team attire. Perhaps unmatched in sentimental value however, was the presence of the group of ageing footballing icons, all smartly dressed in suits and ties, led by the charismatic Negash Teklit.

That’s because many of them made their names as members of the Ethiopian national team. They burst onto the scene in the sixties and seventies, prior to Eritrea gaining its independence from Ethiopia in 1991. The likes of Tekle Kidane and Italo Vassallo are part and parcel of one of the most cherished achievements in Ethiopian sporting history, the 1962 African Cup of Nations victory. Eritreans formed the backbone of the Ethiopian national team squad during its finest hour, some fifty six years ago now. During that tournament, Ethiopia defeated Egypt 4-2 in a hotly contested final where eight of Ethiopia’s starting eleven were Eritreans. 25,000 fans crammed into the Addis Ababa Stadium (then known as the Haile Selassie Stadium) and watched team captain Luciano Vassallo receive the glittering trophy from Emperor Haile Selassie. Some of the stars on the day have since passed away. But others, now in their seventies and eighties, are living proof in the flesh of Ethiopia’s stint as champions of Africa, unfathomable to even imagine nowadays.


Eritrean statesmen of Ethiopian football await Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Asmara. From left to right Tesfaye Gebreyes, former EFF President and match referee who officiated the 1980 AFCON final. Tekle Kidane, Ethiopian national team winger who starred in the 1962 AFCON final and with Tele Asmara FC at club level and finally Haile Tesfa-Gabr, also a 1962 AFCON champion and would later be selected as part of Ethiopia’s 1968 AFCON squad as well (Image: EBC)

Here’s Italo Vassallo!

Negash introduced the retired star to the EBC camera crew, as if he needed an introduction. Italo, 78, scored the winning goal of that final against Egypt in extra time. Born to an Italian soldier and an Eritrean mother during the Italian military occupation of Ethiopia, he is the half brother of older sibling, Luciano Vassallo, 83. The EBC journalist recognized the former striker and greeted him, congratulating him on the attaining of peace between the two countries. Clearly flattered, Italo grinned perhaps astonished that a reporter from Ethiopia of this day and age could recognize him a half century after he and his friends left their mark on the game.


Thumbs up from Italo Vassallo (center), scorer of the most important goal in Ethiopian football history (Image: EBC)

Despite their contributions to the country’s sporting development, the class of 62 would soon face isolation and rejection. In 1974, a popular uprising brought about the ousting of Emperor Haile Selassie and an end to the country’s imperial monarchy. The elderly king would be detained and eventually murdered in custody. The new Derg government leadership, composed of army officers and self declared communist revolutionaries, didn’t take a liking to the stars of the national team. They deemed them to be imperialists, beneficiaries of the old guard and bourgeoisie of the ousted king. No longer allowed to thrive in the limelight for their heroic achievements, players disappeared into obscurity, some after having their properties and wealth nationalized by the communist regime. In 1978, team captain Luciano Vassallo was nearly killed at the behest of a Derg government official. He subsequently fled to exile in Italy. On the wrong side of the political upheaval, others were reduced to abject poverty.

By 1987, Ethiopia’s footballing prowess had dipped considerably and the country was no longer a regular contender for the continent’s top prize as it once had been. In fact, sealing qualification was no longer guaranteed. The stars of 1962, who could have been deployed as trainers, scouts and coaches for the up and coming generation of footballers, were mostly excluded from any such involvement. Ethiopian football fans, the pessimistic bunch they can sometimes be, were quick to accept that a reversal of the country’s footballing fortunes was no longer on the horizon. But with Ethiopia set to host the 1987 regional CECAFA Cup tournament, the sporting establishment were eager for that taste of triumph that had evaded them for 25 years. Ethiopia did eventually triumph, defeating Zimbabwe on penalties in the final after 120 minutes ended in a draw at Addis Ababa Stadium. A young fearless trailblazer of a man, 21 year old Negash Teklit stepped up to take the first of the spot kicks. Cold blooded and unmoved by the pressure bestowed upon his young shoulders, the referee forcing him to adjust the position of the ball placed on the spot didn’t phase him. He calmly stepped up and smashed the ball into the top corner, far out of the reach of the Zimbabwean ‘keeper. The victory sparked wild celebrations and is still fondly remembered in Ethiopian folklore to this day. None of Ethiopia’s subsequent CECAFA Cup triumphs (2001, 2004 and 2005) trigger as much emotion in sporting fans today as the memory of the 1987 win. The reverberating joy was so much that, the country’s communist dictator Mengistu Hailemariam ordered the lifting of a late night curfew across Addis Ababa. Security forces had been granted the authority to immediately execute youths in the streets of Addis Ababa if they were found outside late at night on the suspicion that they were clandestine opposition elements. Countless youths were massacred for merely defiling the curfew, including people who were just making their way home from work. On the night that Negash Teklit and his teammates secured the regional football crown, they also secured for the residents of Addis Ababa, a night of gaiety and sheer happiness, free of extrajudicial slaughter.


Negash Teklit shirtless during the 1987 CECAFA Cup (Image: EBS)

Negash Teklit would go on to coach the Eritrean national team and until recently coached the Eritrean U-20 side. Negash Teklit’s personal contributions to the Ethiopian game remain largely unknown to younger football fans today. The breakout of war between the two states in 1998 saw Eritrea and Eritreans depicted in Ethiopian media as the enemy. Hostile rhetoric from Ethiopia’s political leadership increased, including from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who openly stated that,

if the government says we don’t like the colour of their eyes, then they (Eritreans) should get out.

Hundreds of thousands of Eritreans, of all walks of society were subsequently deported from the country. The devastating war caused tens of thousands of deaths on both sides before ending in a protracted stalemate. Among those promptly ordered to leave the country and deported with little more than the clothes on his back, Italo Vassallo. Scorer of the most important goal in Ethiopian football history.

I love Ethiopia, I gave everything I had for the Ethiopian people,

Italo said in an interview with an American based Ethiopian website a few years after being deported from Ethiopia. He slammed the Ethiopian government and its officials.

I knew about national pride and honouring the flag before most of them were even born,

a clearly irate Italo said at the time.

The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) government did all it could to expunge the achievements of Eritreans from the records. This meant that although the 1987 CECAFA Cup would be brought up from time to time, Negash Teklit’s name and likeness for instance were to never be seen or heard in Ethiopian state media.

The EPRDF regime that overthrew the communist government in 1991 had a policy that frowned upon reminiscing about historical events that could possibly portray past governments in a positive light. As has often been the case in Ethiopia, the new leadership exhibited a keen desire to wipe its predecessors from the records. Sporting heroes, who often set out with no other desire but to reach for the stars, were ostracized by governments who deemed them propaganda elements of bygone eras. It wasn’t only Eritreans. The likes of long distance runner Miruts Yifter, double Olympic gold champion and at his peak during the communist era, were deemed Derg regime apologists by the new EPRDF regime. Miruts spent over a decade in exile in Canada before passing away in 2015. The country’s greatest ever footballer and the national team’s top scorer during that 1962 coup, Mengistu Worku, was himself more or less hidden from public view by state media controls, until news of his dying from cancer in 2010 emerged.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ascension to power has noticeably mellowed the unrepentant and oppressive EPRDF. The past 27 years of the party’s rule has been characterized by a razor thin tolerance for dissent and the mass arrests, torture and killing of political opponents and outspoken citizens. But beyond keeping the population inline and in submission to the idea of indefinite rule by an elitist clique of powerbrokers hailing from the northern region of Tigray, the EPRDF also aggressively peddled its revisionist version of Ethiopian history. The history books, media and entertainment, closely monitored and controlled by the regime, were used to systematically erase all mention of historical events and individuals who were even remotely linked to any entity deemed hostile to the EPRDF narrative. Unfortunately for the likes of Gilamichael Teklemariam, starting goalkeeper of the 1962 AFCON winning squad, this meant that his identity as an Eritrean would rob him and his exploits of the recognition they deserve. His identity would render him a casualty of Ethiopia’s political fallout with Eritrea. As the vast majority of the squad members of the class of 62 were Eritreans, this has resulted in the Ethiopian football federation shying away from even organizing events commemorating the greatest day in the country’s footballing history.

Fourteen African national sides have won the continental crown. Most honour their AFCON victories by sewing in commemorative stars atop the crest on the national team jersey to remind fans and pundits alike of the shirt’s glorious past. From the fourteen, Ethiopia is one of three AFCON winning countries to have never added a commemorative star to its national team kit. The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has never gone on record to explain why, although it’s an open secret that paying homage to the stars of yesterday in such a fashion wouldn’t be permissible in the formerly autocratic EPRDF’s Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia’s status as a one time African champion remains constantly cited by journalists today, the men who delivered the prize have been almost scrubbed from collective memory. In fact, a few years ago, when former EFF President Juneidi Basha tweeted a picture showing the captain of the squad, Luciano Vassallo receiving the trophy from Emperor Haile Selassie, he was unable to identify Luciano and mistakenly captioned the post

Mengistu Worku receiving #AFCON1962 from emperor.

When the President of the football federation is unable to identify one of the greatest footballers produced by the country, one can safely assume that the effort to delete them from the psyche has been somewhat successful.

The since deleted tweet where the former Ethiopian Football Federation President Juneydi Basha is clearly unable to identify the most successful captain in the team’s history, Luciano Vassallo

Luciano Vassallo has lived much of the past four decades in Rome. In any other African country, the captain of the sole major tournament winning squad would be showered with accolades, named a hero of the nation and have sports venues named in his honour. Luciano Vassallo is relatively anonymous today when compared to some his counterparts in Egypt, Ghana and Sudan. In 2000, he published his biography but due to the book being written in the Italian language, it never penetrated the Ethiopian market and isn’t likely to have generated many sales. By 2007, a Google search of Luciano Vassallo yielded no immediate results. In recent years, he has been interviewed by foreign based Ethiopian news outlets. Often critical of the government and understandably so, he has come across as bitter with some of his public statements. In the aftermath of the Ethiopian national team’s elimination at the group stage from the 2013 African Cup of Nations, Luciano posted a comment via his Facebook page in which he derided the players, calling them “losers.” Last year, he granted an interview to Italian journalist Damiano Benzoni in which he made several previously unheard of claims about former EFF and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Yidnekachew Tessema. According to Luciano, Yidnekachew, who coached the 1962 AFCON winning squad, actually despised Eritreans and tried to limit their presence in the national team. Yidnekachew served as CAF President for 15 years until his death in 1987 at age 65 after a long battle with cancer.


Luciano Vassallo (left) with Italian and AC Milan legend Gianni Rivera. Both men would win a continental title with their respective national teams, Luciano in 1962, Rivera in 1968. But while Rivera is a household name in Italian sport, Luciano does not enjoy the same sort of fame and celebrity amongst Ethiopians and Eritreans (Image: Luciano Vassallo)

It would be pretty difficult to establish the veracity of those claims which date back to half a century ago. It would be much easier to say that these are the utterings of an increasingly resentful elderly man. However, there is truth to the claims that a lifetime of servitude to the Ethiopian sporting cause hasn’t garnered him the honour and respect someone of his caliber deserves. Luciano was a friend of the former Milan great and Italian international Cesare Maldini, who passed away in 2016. But while Cesare would go on to remain a mainstay in Italian football, accepting media gigs and top level coaching jobs decades after retiring from the game, Luciano, whose achievements in African football certainly do mirror those of his friend, did not. Like his half brother Italo, Tekle Kidane and others, his Eritrean roots and prominence in Imperial Ethiopia would not sit well with the country’s successive governments. Ethiopia’s political inflexibility had effectively excommunicated them from enjoying retirement amongst the people he bedazzled and entertained on the football pitch for over a decade.

Luciano is Ethiopia’s second highest goalscorer at AFCON tournaments with 7 or 8 goals (depending on the referenced document). A midfield maestro and a set piece expert, he compiled over a century of caps at international level while starring for Dire Dawa’s Cotton FC and Addis Ababa’s St. George at club level. And yet, there is no mention of his name anywhere on the EFF’s official website.

The end of the political standoff between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea spells a world of opportunities for the people of both states. Cross border trade and tourism have begun to thrive after the opening of the joint border for the first time since 1998. But also eager to capitalize on peace in the region are members of the sporting establishments of the respective countries. Talk of a friendly match celebrating the peace between the two states has gone on for months. Within weeks of the historical announcement, Ethiopian club side Fasil Kenema sent an invitation letter to the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF), requesting to commemorate the joyous occasion with a friendly match against an Eritrean club side. The ENFF responded positively, replying in an open letter that it would prepare for such an event. Eritrean sporting news outlet Eritrean Football have reported that a long awaited “peace match” between Ethiopia and Eritrea will likely be held sometime next year.


Copy of Fasil Kenema FC’s official invitation letter to Eritrea’s football governing body (Image: Fasil Kenema FC)

There has been no such eagerness expressed by the EFF. Unlike some Ethiopian club sides and members of the national team, who have reiterated their willingness to take part in a venture bringing the two peoples together, those heading the country’s game have been somewhat guarded in their responses. For years, the EFF has been slammed by fans who bemoan what they say is the organization’s being run by a seemingly docile group of men with no background in the game. The EFF has taken every precaution to stay politically aligned with the regime and its narrative, but fail to exert the same sort of energy into revamping the national game. Even now, as a new era is ushered in across the Horn of Africa,

The spontaneity and innovation seen across the Ethiopian and Eritrean sporting worlds is thus far absent at EFF HQ. The Ethiopian Athletics Federation invited Eritrean runners to participate at this year’s Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa, while the Eritrean Cycling Federation welcomed Team Ethiopia to Asmara to take part in the African Cycling Cup it hosted weeks later.


Members of the Eritrean athletics national team in Addis Ababa last month to take part in the Great Ethiopian Run. To their left is the head of their delegation, Eritrea’s first ever medalist Zersenay Tadese who was also a distinguished guest of honour (Image: Letsrun.com)

The EFF could truly prove to be a national asset and contribute to the reconciliation process by righting the wrongs done to the Eritreans who bolstered its ranks. Inviting a number of the living Eritrean footballing stars who gave it their all for Ethiopia back to the country to be reacquainted with the masses who adored and idolized them would go some way to healing the scars caused by the societal marginalization they were undeservedly subjected to. A heroes’ welcome at the stadiums where they established their reigns as sporting kings would certainly be the least the country could do at this point in time. Allowing them to reclaim their place in Ethiopian sporting history with all the dignity and glory it is supposed to encompass would not only facilitate the general rapprochement initiative, it could serve to inspire the youths of today to aim higher and aspire to reach the heights the old lions of yesterday did. But if they remain simply names inscribed onto yellowing files of old match reports collecting dust at CAF headquarters in Cairo, their achievements and a significant part of the two countries’ collective heritage will remain confined to the dustbins of history. A colossal loss.


Luciano Vassallo receives the 1962 AFCON trophy from Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie

Ethiopia may no longer be an African football heavyweight, but the country still boasts a respectable treasure haul of international accolades in comparison to its fellow minnows of the game. An AFCON crown and four regional CECAFA cup triumphs still puts the country up and above the majority of the continent. The likes of Tunisia, Morocco and South Africa are leaps and bounds away from the Walyas in terms of producing talent today, but they remain tied with Ethiopia with a single AFCON triumph a piece. Ethiopia’s trophy wins were earned by clinical and composed young men who answered the nation’s call when it needed them the most. It’s high time the nation pays its respects to those men, no matter what their nationality.

My name is Zecharias Zelalem

[Awash]

Zfessamo aka Zombie,
Stop blaming everyone under the sun. 28 years under the Agame junta of wedi medhin berad has made Eritrean football reach The Last place in Africa title.
Meanwhile, the defection continues unabated. Getting the hell out of North Korea

[Zmeselo]

Blame?

I asked you a simple question?

WHERE IS TGRAY NATIONAL TEAM'S RANKING?

That next post is for genuine Ethiopians, not for you. So don't bother your tiny head, about that. It doesn't concern you at all. Just a short, history lesson.

[Awash]

Wesfa0ttam, don't blame me for achievement of tyrannical Agame junta over the last 28 years of stupidity that destroyed the potential of a nation and turned into the North Korea of Africa.

Awash - ኣወጣሽ ጓል እንደርታ ዓጋመ :

It is so obvious that you are an importer Agame.

Would you do yourself a favor to get the fvck out of Eritrean affairs?

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

[Awash]

Zombie,
How the hell would I know. Ask your fellow deqi40 deqi komarit who STILL have immediate family members accross the border.

[Zmeselo]

Of course, you know.

No Eritrean worth his salt, would ever advertize an article, which insults his National Team as: minnows.

Some enemy gladly would, though.

So your "junta" this or that, can't cover your qondaf nakedness.

As for the Malawi team, sharks are gonna wait for them in Asmara Stadium, especially after I show the Eritrean team- your article of choice.

An [deleted] whopping of a grand scale for bragging over Eritrea, when their own team hasn't bedazzled anyone in the football world with their skill or results.

Zombie,
How the hell would I know. Ask your fellow deqi40 deqi komarit who STILL have immediate family members accross the border.

[Zmeselo]

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Subversive campaign by anti-Eritrea sectors: The defection of members of the Eritrean national soccer team in Botswana.

https://eri-internationalsports.blogspo ... a.html?m=1

Before we get upset and before we try to analyze and re-analyze why some players on the ERITREA national team that traveled to Botswana decided to remain and ask for political asylum, let us take a deep breath and not get caught up with the enemy tactics of- DEFAME ERITREA!- through sports for purely political reasons. Let us look at the facts. Eritrea was back at FIFA international, for the first time in almost 4 years. Ranked at number 202, as a result of past defections, in a two week span of time utilizing Eritrean players from overseas the team competed well.

Meanwhile, cycling & running victories and accolades have spiraled the sports fever in Eritrea in recent weeks. There is no doubt, that Eritrean athletics is on a HIGH now. While many good things were happening and we also witnessed one of the biggest crowds ever at Asmara stadium last weekend, somebody had to spoil the party.



Enter a group known as ERITREAN MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS (EMDHR) , who have been waiting to capitalize on a situation similar to this. What made it even better for them, was the fact that this game was right in their backyard; not too far away from South Africa where they are based- out of Pretoria. While 24 members of the 34 delegation returned back home- except for those who make their homes outside of Eritrea- the 10 players urged by that network & affiliates organizations, have decided to remain in Botswana.

According to a prominent lawyer from Botswana, who usually engages in litigation's against Govt. officials by the name of [deleted] Bayford:

I have been engaged by the movement to assist in keeping the football players in the country after they received reports that there was an attempt to forcibly remove the players from Botswana,

The so called opposition Human rights organization created in South Africa and wanting change in Eritrea seem to think that because 10 players defected the country is in uproar and we have serious problems. However they don't know Eritrea. What makes it even worse is that the lies such lawyers who claim to be human rights lawyers say to make money. He will get his share from the criminals.

Bayford's audacity to claim that the EMDHR was worried that the players- who are said to be part of the Eritrean army- are likely to be charged with desertion, if they are sent back to Eritrea; which is punishable by death. Pure fabrication, but strong evidence for Mr. Lawyer!

Defections, are not new. Even as recent as this past summer, members of the Cuban national soccer team had defected to the USA during the Gold Cup Tournament. Only difference is that these athletes know automatically they will be granted asylum as the USA allows Cuban athletes to defect because of the so-called- “wet foot, dry foot”- US policy, still in effect. The rule stipulates, that a Cuban who sets foot on US soil is allowed to stay.

As you can see on the picture below, the nucleus of the team is still there along with many other players. To those that defected the sad part of it is that you are using the Eritrean national team to send a political point, that allows failed organizations like the EMDHR to gain propaganda points.



Meanwhile I am of the belief that players from all parts of the country should be chosen for the national team. The top teams in Eritrea's premier league had a nucleus of the local players on this team but the ENFF must do everything it can, to choose players who care about representing their FLAG! Just like Henok Goitom and the other players playing outside of ERITREA, the passion for the game and the responsibility to represent ERITREA should always be there.

Good Luck, to the national team in the future. We will build our program together, as a nation. A clear indication was on Saturday, when thousands and thousands of fans showed Up.

That no matter what, ERITREA will always shine in sports.

For Eri-international sports.

Mike Seium


______
___________

Statement, from EMDHR in 2015:

https://www.harnnet.org/index.php/artic ... n-botswana

Today, thanx to EMDHR, the 10 footballers are languishing in a Botwana detention camp sorrounded by thick bush & wild animals.

[Awash]

Zombie,
"...the truth shall make you free". What's the matter, the fact is:

...Namibia is currently ranked 121 in the world and 30th in Africa, while Eritrea is ranked 202 in the world and ranked last in Africa.

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

P.S. Namibia has a similar history of occupation, liberation etc. and got its independence at around the same time. But, unlike deqi komarit medlin berad, it took a democratic course.

[Awash]

Namibia Amongst Top 20 Free Press Nations

21 APRIL 2016 The Namibian (Windhoek)

Namibia is ranked 17th out of 180 countries when it comes to press freedom according to the just announced 2016 World Press Freedom Index.

Although this may be a feat for Namibia (which maintains the position from last year), critical Namibian journalists still feel safer on the internet, where they are not subject to control in an environment where self-censorship is common in the state-owned media...

https://allafrica.com/stories/201604221015.html

[Zmeselo]

Yes, & exactly like Eritrea, Namibia has green eyed- neighbours who attempted 3 invasions to occupy her & then used the USA to sanction her for 10 years.

But, Namibia will nonetheless get a beating for its diss. No matter their ranking (which isn't mindboggling), it doesn't give them the right to call ANY national team (especially a fellow African): minnows. I betya, if a third division german team had come for a friendly to Namibia, they would be recieved as royalty. Typical "uncle Tom" mentality, as yours.

Namibia, will be whopped in Asmara!!! What will you do then? Cry me a river as usual, of course.

Zombie,
"...the truth shall make you free". What's the matter, the fact is:

...Namibia is currently ranked 121 in the world and 30th in Africa, while Eritrea is ranked 202 in the world and ranked last in Africa.

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

P.S. Namibia has a similar history of occupation, liberation etc. and got its independence at around the same time. But, unlike deqi komarit medlin berad, it took a democratic course.

[Awash]

Moron Zombie,
Your Agame wedi komarit junta highjacked the Eritrean revolution for human rights, democratic governance, rule of law (constitution), and ventured in military adventures into all its neighbors. This is a FACT. LOOK IT UP. Don't keep playing the victim everytime the fruits of your misadventures cost the Eritrean people dearly. Your Agame junta should take full responsibility for all the damage and missed opportunities.
Moron, stop your stupid attempt to divert attention by bringing Tigrai/weyane into your Agame Agame junta's achievements or lack there of. Mushmush.

Yes, & exactly like Eritrea, Namibia has green eyed- neighbours who attempted 3 invasions to occupy her & then used the USA to sanction her for 10 years.

But, Namibia will nonetheless get a beating for its diss. No matter their ranking (which isn't mindboggling), it doesn't give them the right to call ANY national team (especially a fellow African): minnows. I betya, if a third division german team had come for a friendly to Namibia, they would be recieved as royalty. Typical "uncle Tom" mentality, as yours.

Namibia, will be whopped in Asmara!!! What will you do then? Cry me a river as usual, of course.

Zombie,
"...the truth shall make you free". What's the matter, the fact is:

...Namibia is currently ranked 121 in the world and 30th in Africa, while Eritrea is ranked 202 in the world and ranked last in Africa.

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

P.S. Namibia has a similar history of occupation, liberation etc. and got its independence at around the same time. But, unlike deqi komarit medlin berad, it took a democratic course.

[Zmeselo]

Blah blah blah...

The article you posted is NOT calling the Eritrean regime: minnows, but the national team

And they will pay for that.

I have no time nor interest, in your other "zereba ansti".

Moron Zombie,
Your Agame wedi komarit junta highjacked the Eritrean revolution for human rights, democratic governance, rule of law (constitution), and ventured in military adventures into all its neighbors. This is a FACT. LOOK IT UP. Don't keep playing the victim everytime the fruits of your misadventures cost the Eritrean people dearly. Your Agame junta should take full responsibility for all the damage and missed opportunities.
Moron, stop your stupid attempt to divert attention by bringing Tigrai/weyane into your Agame Agame junta's achievements or lack there of. Mushmush.

Yes, & exactly like Eritrea, Namibia has green eyed- neighbours who attempted 3 invasions to occupy her & then used the USA to sanction her for 10 years.

But, Namibia will nonetheless get a beating for its diss. No matter their ranking (which isn't mindboggling), it doesn't give them the right to call ANY national team (especially a fellow African): minnows. I betya, if a third division german team had come for a friendly to Namibia, they would be recieved as royalty. Typical "uncle Tom" mentality, as yours.

Namibia, will be whopped in Asmara!!! What will you do then? Cry me a river as usual, of course.

Zombie,
"...the truth shall make you free". What's the matter, the fact is:

...Namibia is currently ranked 121 in the world and 30th in Africa, while Eritrea is ranked 202 in the world and ranked last in Africa.

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

P.S. Namibia has a similar history of occupation, liberation etc. and got its independence at around the same time. But, unlike deqi komarit medlin berad, it took a democratic course.

[Hawzen]

Can you imagine the moral ground agame brother Adwusha used to have 8 years ago when Ethiopia was led by Zena's TPLF. Brother Adwusha and his agame brothers used to do anything they wanted in Ethiopia. After the sudden disappearing of the coward little frog, everything started to change for worse and brother Adwusha felt the pain. But it has never ever been worse than when the citizens the dead Tigray Republic Dream were chased like mad dogs and Adwush's evil dream's on Eritreans evaporated in front of his eyes.....Now brother Adwusha is frustrated because ..

1. Agames are locked in a cage in Mekelle holes..
2. Eritrea and Ethiopia peace deal achieved.
3. Warm reception by Ethiopians for PIA and then dancing in Millennium hall
4. Paying visit the people of Amhara and other parts of Ethiopia..
5. All the sanctions put on the Eritreans people sponsored by the agame Meles and cheered by Adwusha were thrown in a dustbin within a month..I think this hurt brother Adwusha the most


Now, the sun has started shinning in Eritrea while we know what is happening in the least important killil Tigray, brother Adwusha's village ...

Dedebit is always dedeb
R.I.P Abay Tigray and TPLF

[Awash]

Mushmush Zombie,
Crying like a little girl blaming everyone under the son is "zereba anisti". "Qomish adey Anqifuni". Man up, deqi komarit, and take resposibility for your 28 years of stupidity.

Blah blah blah...

The article you posted is NOT calling the Eritrean regime: minnows, but the national team

And they will pay for that.

I have no time nor interest, in your other "zereba ansti".

Moron Zombie,
Your Agame wedi komarit junta highjacked the Eritrean revolution for human rights, democratic governance, rule of law (constitution), and ventured in military adventures into all its neighbors. This is a FACT. LOOK IT UP. Don't keep playing the victim everytime the fruits of your misadventures cost the Eritrean people dearly. Your Agame junta should take full responsibility for all the damage and missed opportunities.
Moron, stop your stupid attempt to divert attention by bringing Tigrai/weyane into your Agame Agame junta's achievements or lack there of. Mushmush.

Yes, & exactly like Eritrea, Namibia has green eyed- neighbours who attempted 3 invasions to occupy her & then used the USA to sanction her for 10 years.

But, Namibia will nonetheless get a beating for its diss. No matter their ranking (which isn't mindboggling), it doesn't give them the right to call ANY national team (especially a fellow African): minnows. I betya, if a third division german team had come for a friendly to Namibia, they would be recieved as royalty. Typical "uncle Tom" mentality, as yours.

Namibia, will be whopped in Asmara!!! What will you do then? Cry me a river as usual, of course.

Zombie,
"...the truth shall make you free". What's the matter, the fact is:

...Namibia is currently ranked 121 in the world and 30th in Africa, while Eritrea is ranked 202 in the world and ranked last in Africa.

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

P.S. Namibia has a similar history of occupation, liberation etc. and got its independence at around the same time. But, unlike deqi komarit medlin berad, it took a democratic course.

[Sabur]

Awash - ኣወጣሽ ጓል እንደርታ ዓጋመ :

No Eritrean would post "Namibia gets minnows Eritrea in 2022 World Cup preliminaries" except an impostor Agame like you.

Why don't you go to hell -Agame land- where you belong and mind your fvcking business there.

ከዛብ ዓጋመ !!

Wesfa0ttam, don't blame me for achievement of tyrannical Agame junta over the last 28 years of stupidity that destroyed the potential of a nation and turned into the North Korea of Africa.

Awash - ኣወጣሽ ጓል እንደርታ ዓጋመ :

It is so obvious that you are an importer Agame.

Would you do yourself a favor to get the fvck out of Eritrean affairs?

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

[Zmeselo]

I know you don't care an iota, about those 10 players you used and is still using, for your political football.

I doubt you even know their names, let alone care about their fate.

Your biiatching is a crock biiatching, that's all.

THAT, I definitely know!

Otherwise, we can even contribute to buy you an AK 47 to get rid of Isaias, mr Che Guevara.

No need, shouting to us. We don't agree with you & we never will. Don't you get it? If that then makes us "zombies" or "deqi40" or whatever, then so be it.

You on the bother hand- put up or shut up!

Now cheer for your current favorite team, Namibia, and leave us cheer for ours.

See you in September! We'll see, who'se a minnow then.

Mushmush Zombie,
Crying like a little girl blaming everyone under the son is "zereba anisti". "Qomish adey Anqifuni". Man up, deqi komarit, and take resposibility for your 28 years of stupidity.

Blah blah blah...

The article you posted is NOT calling the Eritrean regime: minnows, but the national team

And they will pay for that.

I have no time nor interest, in your other "zereba ansti".

Moron Zombie,
Your Agame wedi komarit junta highjacked the Eritrean revolution for human rights, democratic governance, rule of law (constitution), and ventured in military adventures into all its neighbors. This is a FACT. LOOK IT UP. Don't keep playing the victim everytime the fruits of your misadventures cost the Eritrean people dearly. Your Agame junta should take full responsibility for all the damage and missed opportunities.
Moron, stop your stupid attempt to divert attention by bringing Tigrai/weyane into your Agame Agame junta's achievements or lack there of. Mushmush.

Yes, & exactly like Eritrea, Namibia has green eyed- neighbours who attempted 3 invasions to occupy her & then used the USA to sanction her for 10 years.

But, Namibia will nonetheless get a beating for its diss. No matter their ranking (which isn't mindboggling), it doesn't give them the right to call ANY national team (especially a fellow African): minnows. I betya, if a third division german team had come for a friendly to Namibia, they would be recieved as royalty. Typical "uncle Tom" mentality, as yours.

Namibia, will be whopped in Asmara!!! What will you do then? Cry me a river as usual, of course.

Zombie,
"...the truth shall make you free". What's the matter, the fact is:

...Namibia is currently ranked 121 in the world and 30th in Africa, while Eritrea is ranked 202 in the world and ranked last in Africa.

https://neweralive.na/posts/namibia-get ... JvEQFWSq6I

P.S. Namibia has a similar history of occupation, liberation etc. and got its independence at around the same time. But, unlike deqi komarit medlin berad, it took a democratic course.