How Sundowns star Abubeker Nasir has impacted Ethiopian football
The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has spoken of forward Abubeker Nasir’s impact on the East Africa’s country football since joining Mamelodi Sundowns.
EFF Communication Director Abraham Gebremariam spoke exclusively to FARPost when asked about his impression of Nasir’s start to his career at Sundowns in South Africa.
Gebremariam said the Sundowns striker is among very few Ethiopian football exports; hence, his performance could open windows of opportunities for compatriots.
AMONG FEW ETHIOPIAN FOOTBALL EXPORTS
“As a national team, we have only two/three players abroad. So, the addition of Abubeker, the main man of our team, will help us to strengthen the team in order to exploit his experience and international exposure,” he said.
“It will also create a chance for other young talents in Ethiopia to show what they have. Our national team’s players are highly motivated after they saw his recent performance.
Gebremariam said most Ethiopian football followers are happy that Nasir has adapted quickly to the standard of the DStv Premiership champions.
FANS HAPPY TO SEE NASIR ADAPTING TO SUNDOWNS
“Abubeker is adapting to the system of Mamelodi Sondowns very well and in an impressive way,” he tells FARPost.
“Despite that he played as a starter only in one game, he scored three goals. We all Ethiopians are impressed with his start.”
The talented front-man made a name for himself since joining Coffee in July 2019 with a string of important goals.
The 22-year-old lethal striker has netted 36 goals in 47 Premier League appearances in the last two campaigns for Coffee.
He was voted last season’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer in the Ethiopian Premier League. Nassir is a regular for the Ethiopian national team and played at the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.
He has also started the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign impressively after scoring in the famous 2-0 win over Egypt in June this year.
FIFTH ETHIOPIAN TO PLAY IN PSL
Nasir is the fifth Ethiopian footballer to grace the fields of the PSL after Fikru Tefera, Getaneh Kebede, Fisehayimer Begashew and Mohamed Ibrahim.
Tefera had a successful career at Orlando Pirates after joining the in 2006.
Fikru scored three goals for Pirates for a season before he left to sign for SuperSport United.
Fikru made a name at SuperSport as he won the PSL championship twice.
Kabede signed for Bidvest Wits from Dedebit FC in the Ethiopian League.
Kebede scored six goals in 19 appearances for Wits before leaving for a stint at University of Pretoria then returned home.