Former Orlando Pirates striker Fikru Tefera has launched a scathing attack on Ethiopian national team coach Sewnet Bishaw following his omission from the 23-man squad that will do battle at the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.
Just over a month ago Tefera captained Ethiopia at the 2012 CECAFA Cup but has now been omitted from the squad that will arrive in South Africa next week for the tournament that they won 51 years ago but haven't qualified for since 1982.
Tefera has labelled Sewnet a ‘stupid coach who never played professional in his life and just wants to gain popularity at his expense because he (Tefera) has achieved more in his career and is living a good life in South Africa'.
"I am not surprised you want to know why I am not in the squad and the answer is simply. It is because of politics and a stupid coach who wants to be seen as big and gain popularity for having left out a professional player from the squad," rants Tefera in his conversation with KickOff.com.
"That guy (Sewnet) is just looking for fame at my expense because I am a professional and he is a teacher who never played professional football but was just lucky to make it into football. The truth is that I command a lot of respect and I am way more popular and successful in Ethiopia than him. The people in Ethiopia love me for all I have done in putting the country's football talents on the map because I have played in Europe, South Africa and in Asia.
"He just doesn't like the fact that I voice my concern about issues that I always feel to be addressed in our football. He hates the fact that I had guts to say our previous coach (Tom Saintfiet) was a good coach because this is how we felt as players and I stood up to speak representing the players.
"Since he never played professional football he thinks when you say something it is because you think you know too much. I have played under professional coaches like Gavin Hunt and I have never had a problem with any of them because they are all professional. Though I am not in the team I will still help the rest of the squad when they come to South Africa because I am familiar with this country and I have an Identity Card that makes me a permanent resident.
"I will always be available for my country but for him I don't care a bit. I will also be supporting Ethiopia and not him. The rest of the people in Ethiopia want me to be in the team yet he thinks I don't deserve to be there," says Tefera.
Tefera – who has also played for SuperSport United – has just left Vietnam Super League club Thanh Hoa where he spent a year playing after stints in Czech Republic and Finland.
www.kickoff.com
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