Thread by @firew_asrat

(Sorry this thread is probably too long)

Hereby I explain tactics, style of play, the best formation of #TeamEthiopia ahead of #AFCON2021 with some tips.

1/n

https://twitter.com/firew_asrat/status/1478766378286993412?t=uFF4YgYZA5NHIx_Me9GUFQ&s=19

We Ethiopians don't play physical brand of football. We don't have players who win the ball in the middle & immediately passes to their quick wingers. We also don't have a prolific stars that our fans get rely on.

And yes, we love to see a very fluid, free flowing game.
2/n

Still I dunno what was the hallmark of Ethiopia's golden era in football but over the years, the long ball system had been the most preferred style of play.

But lately there have been a major improvements in the style of play.
3/n

If ever there is an Ethiopian style of play, our football experts would known, we have finally got players with some flair, playing short balls.

Today,almost every club in #BKEthPL is playing attacking football with some even building up nicely from the back.
4/n

But, what has become the major challenge at the national team is lack of a preferred style of play that runs year-after-year.

With the introduction of new coaches over time, the style of play consistently changed.
5/n

Even from the last time, the Walias were at AFCON, we have a confusing period of switching coaches after coaches.

In recent years, our national team has been designed to hurt teams with short passes and quick transitions.
6/n

But, errors & problems in transition did allow for opponents to get high quality chances.

Been to many soft goals conceded now as a result of structural issues and recently from goalkeeping howlers.
7/n

Lacks of good possession in opponent midfield has always been a major problem till now.

We lack capable ball progressors high up the field & in the middle.

8/n

Still our players utilize the pattern of long ball, that are always targeted at attackers deep in the opponents half, although this has gradually improved.

Our attackers are often guilty of squandering an alarming amount of chances.
9/n

Guess what the Walias haven't won a game at the CAN since beating Uganda in 1976. So, Wubetu will be hoping to write his name in gold in books.

Wubetu,56, is one of the relatively few Ethiopian coaches who enjoyed outstanding success as a coach.
10/n

https://twitter.com/firew_asrat/status/1459821715224252424?t=E8NQYhPbHO-oAwFnTaVwlg&s=19

Wubetu's preferred formation is 4-3-3. Eventhough he at times experimented with 4-1-2-2 /4-4-2. In the last couple of games, couple of games, wubetu's formation worked well most especially in the world cup qualifiers played last November.

11/n

Unlike his predecessor, Wubetu didn't change his lineup every single game. It's more clear who lines up in his best XI. He is trying to devise a technique that would work for the team.

12/n

This squad is the mixture of young and experienced players. Most players have done well in their respective clubs and they're coming into tournament in a great run of form.

But, the best way to grind out better results is to invite on-form players.

13/n

Unlike the previous years, the hope for Ethiopia lies upfront. Abukeker, Getaneh, Dawa & Amanuel, who is likely to start on the wing, are the four players that will have to produce goals if Ethiopia are to leave a positive mark at the tournament.

14/n

Getaneh is a preferred center striker to Wubetu. He holds up play well, drops deep to play with the midfielder allowing Abuki & Amanuel/Dawa space in the channels to work with. All this while also having a thunderous shot makes him more valuable than a player in the squad.
15/n

We have a rising star with upfront with great finishing. Abubeker is a striker that possesses a dangerous mixture of pace and technical ability. Abuki is that player in the squad with the capability of producing something out of nothing.
16/n

A red-hot season with Ethiopia Bunna in #BKEthPL saw him with the personal accolades and a move to Africa's big leagues surely beckons after the continental tournament. If he can add a bit of physical maturity, the sky is the limit.
17/n

Amanuel, the sanjaw winger has been a key performer at the national team but has been enduring a torrid season at st. George. Defensively, Amanuel cut off the easy routes of opponent's supply to the midfield.
18/n

The inclusion of Dawa in the squad means serious competition & more option in the attack department. With his ability to shoot from distance, aerial prowess & his pace and accurate crossing will trouble defenders. His recent form & experience means he could replace Amanuel.
19/n

Shemeles & Surafel (centre midfielders) infront of Amanuel Yohannes are the ones tasked with the important duty of pressing the ball in midfield and forcing turn overs. They have brilliant work-rates, are dynamic, & make forward runs on/off the ball deep to help the attack.
20/n

Shemeles is the most experienced player in the team apart from Getaneh and Jemal. At 31+, this is likely to be his last AFCON.

21/n

https://twitter.com/firew_asrat/status/1376504240038948865?t=_OILD_xn4c8yQ3h4KZqs5w&s=19

When Shemeles wins the ball, he go for the short pass to a close teammates & applies his devastating turn of pace either from the center or the flanks to get behind the defenders.

22/n

Surafel is a workaholic player with decent playing ability. He also doesn't shy away from a physical confrontation. He is certainly a player to watch.

23/n

Amanuel Yohannes, the linchpin, is that someone who provides stability and anchors the midfield and also helps to slow down games with his passing and ability to hold the ball. Coach Wubetu expects a lot from his positionally aware middielder.

24/n

It's known that our center backs aren't very adventurous in attack, but the team have #BKEthPL best center backs. Both our starting center backs ( Aschalew Tamene & Yared Baye) and our second choice CB ( Mignot Debebe) are aerial solid and good with the ball on their feet.

25/n

I wish some luck to Aschalew for an injury free start to the continental tournament. I also expect Mignot could be used against Cameroon & Burkinafaso. Migot has been without doubt the most consistent performer of #BKEthPL in the last 3 years.

26/n

Finally having a promising pairing of full backs is a relief, Asrat Tunjo and Ramadan Yesuf are on a great form. Both have proven themselves to be Ethiopia's most frequent back winners, combining their wonderful dynamism and work-rate with decent tackling abilities.

27/n

Our goalkeeping department 🙄
28/n

A lot will also depend on the strength of the bench & the impact of substitutes.

Mesfin Tafesse, a physically imposing attacker for his age.

Shemekit, Fitsum, Yihun, Firew 🔥🔥
29/n

If the flanks are outplayed by their opponents, prehaps Gatouch would have been a better bet starting in the middle or as cover for the center backs.

Yihun Endeshaw is another a deep-lying creative force.

Some players, like Mujib may not see any minute of action in 🇨🇲.

30/n

Tips:

We used to be clueless on set pieces, but we have a good amount of smart FK takers.
(Surafel, Dawa, Getaneh, Abuki)

Getaneh's level of performance will be critical if Wubetu wants to do anything of note at the tournament. (Dropping deep 🤲)
31/n

https://twitter.com/mensurabdulkeni/status/1365960487016558595?t=Ru57vRbB8ykTd-sxNIjRbg&s=19

There is a lot of hope going into Ethiopia's #AFCON2021 campaign.

I believe our national team is certainly capable of being a surprise package at the nations cup.

32/n

Wubetu must implement offensive structure that enables the team to 🧠 possess the ball, create quality chances and a cohesive defensive unit.

33/n

I wish if we synchronize our national teams in all age categories so they will all adopt the same formation & style of play.

If we have more knowledge about our players, tailored squad selection will be easier.

34/n

Ethiopian football is still very much a work in progress but there is big room for optimism.

Picture courtesy of @KYoftahe & 🌐

#TogetherwithWalia
#AFCON2021
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