Mesay Teferi has been confirmed as the new permanent head coach of the Ethiopian national football team, with a one-year contract handed to the former youth international ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
Teferi, who stepped in as interim coach for the Waliyas’ recent AFCON and CHAN qualifiers, expressed his ambition to lead the team long-term.
Although there were rumors of a foreign coach being sought, financial constraints led the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) to settle on a local candidate. Teferi, who previously served as an assistant to Geberemedhin Haile, has proven his leadership, including leading Wolayta Dicha to Ethiopian Premier League promotion and winning the Ethiopian Cup in 2017.
Teferi’s national team record has had its ups and downs, but he achieved a notable 2-1 victory over DR Congo in Kinshasa. As he gears up for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Egypt and Djibouti, Teferi will also name his coaching staff, with former Ethiopian Coffee coach Temesgen Dana likely to return.
