 He led the renaissance of Ethiopian football and brought Africa’s second largest populated country back to the AFCON finals for the first time in over 30 years.
After an unsuccessful campaign at African Nations Championship 2014, veteran Ethiopian coach Sewnet Bishaw has been relieved of his post by the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) effective, Wednesday, February 5, 2014. The affable coach’s reaction was shrug off his shoulders and acknowledge that such is the way with his profession. Bishaw said he has no ill feelings against the (EFF) and gave off his best during his second tenure as Walyas coach.
Bishaw told Supersport.com “I know I gave my best and took the team to unchartered waters qualifying for the 2013 AFCON, 2014 CHAN and going all the way to the World Cup 2014 play offs where we lost to African champions, Nigeria.
All this successes has been because of hard work from the technical bench and myself but that is a story for another day as the decision has been made and we have to move on with life. As a coach there is a limit to everything and I believe I gave 100 percent that is where we were able to be a team to reckon with since I was reinstated to the head coach job in 2011. I thank the federation and wish all the players the best in their future assignments," said Bishaw.
In making the announcement about parting ways with Bishaw, EFF president, Juneidin Basha told BBC Sport that “Sewnet is a hero for our football; he brought us back to the international scene, we recognise his success in the last two years but things must continue to grow as the team doesn't need to stay stuck somewhere."
Basha thanked Bishaw and acknowledged his immense contribution to the rise of Ethiopian football of late.
Under Bishaw, Ethiopia won the 2005 CECAFA Challenge Cup in his first stint and more recently the playoffs the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
He guided the Walyas to the 2013 African Cup of Nations hosted by South Africa and also their first ever appearance at the CHAN finals also in South Africa last month.
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