Ethiopia Profile – 2026 CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

Ethiopia U-17 Profile

Key Facts

• Team: Ethiopia
• Appearance: 4th
• Last Appearance: 2003
• Best Performance: Fourth Place (1997)

Ethiopia return to the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after more than two decades away, marking a significant milestone in the country’s youth football revival.

The East Africans will be making their fourth appearance at the continental finals, and their first since 2003, as they aim to re-establish themselves among Africa’s emerging football nations.

How They Qualified

Ethiopia secured their place at Morocco 2026 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Kenya in a decisive CECAFA play-off match.

Playing on home soil, the hosts delivered a composed and dominant performance, with goals from Dawit Kassaw, Biyam Abrha and Biruk Eyilachew sealing qualification.

The win capped off a strong qualifying campaign and underlined Ethiopia’s attacking quality and growing confidence at youth level.

History in the Competition

Ethiopia have a rich but distant history in the U-17 AFCON, with their best performance coming in 1997 when they finished fourth.

However, their absence from the tournament since 2003 highlights the challenges they have faced in maintaining consistent youth development structures.

Their return in 2026 signals a renewed commitment to nurturing young talent and competing at continental level.

Key Players to Watch

• Dawit Kassaw Yirdaw (Forward) – The joint top scorer at the CECAFA qualifiers, Kassaw is Ethiopia’s main attacking weapon, known for his finishing ability and intelligent movement in the final third.
• Biyam Abrha (Midfielder) – A creative presence in midfield, Abrha contributes both goals and assists, playing a crucial role in linking play.
• Biruk Eyilachew (Forward) – A lively attacker with pace and directness, Eyilachew adds another dimension to Ethiopia’s offensive threat.

Coach & Tactical Approach

Ethiopia are led by Benjamin Ziemer, an American coach focused on building a disciplined and competitive team capable of matching the continent’s best.

Under his guidance, the team emphasises:

• Structured defensive organisation, ensuring stability at the back
• Quick attacking play, utilising pace and direct passing
• Collective teamwork, with a strong emphasis on unity and work rate

Ziemer has instilled a balanced approach, allowing Ethiopia to remain compact defensively while posing a threat on the counterattack.

Tournament Expectations

Ethiopia head into the tournament as one of the returning sides eager to make an impact after a long absence.

Their primary objective will be to progress beyond the group stage and compete for one of the available FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification spots.

While they may not be among the traditional favourites, their impressive qualification run and attacking potential suggest they are capable of surprising more established teams.

If they can maintain their discipline and take their chances in front of goal, Ethiopia could emerge as one of the tournament’s dark horses.