Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Ethiopia Rising Star – The mercurial Nathnael Gebregiorgis

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Fasil City youngster, Nathnael Gebregiorgis is one of exciting young prospects in Ethiopian football. He is already looking like a mainstay with the Ethiopian national team, the ” Walyas” for the coming years.
He started his football journey at Fasil City. The No 18 has shown a great versatility under coach Ashenafi Bekele as he played just about anywhere the coach wanted him to be positioned, as a midfielder, striker and even as a right back.
In the 2017/18 season, he was promoted from Fasil City ‘s junior ranks to the main team by then Coach, Wubetu Abate.
He has improved his talent year on year and attributes this to hard work.
“Yes, I believe in hard work. I will do whatever work that my coaches give me, but I am also working hard on myself.”
“I will strive to be better in the future, and I will still learn a lot from the players who are my role models.”
He watched several top Ethiopia Stars growing up watching and while staring for the Fasil youth team and he saw some of the big stars from close quarters, especially Abdurahman Mubarek who was a big influence.
Nathnael also admires the legendary striker Getaneh Kebede, who was a big hero for St George and the Ethiopian national team.
Kebede is still one of the top Strikers in the BetKing Ethiopia Premier League and currently second top scorer.
He is also a huge fan of global superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, his heart beats for his Club, Fasil City.
“I love this club because I see it as a family. I have learned a lot from Fasil City. It is a club that means a lot to me. I am very happy with the team.”
He has already won a League title with the Emperors in 2020/21 season, and they came close last season , losing narrowly to St George and finished 2nd. He also dreams of success on continental level.
“We have won the league once and I plan to win the Premier League title several times in the future. I want to make history in the African Clubs competition by making a better journey than we have had so far.”
Nathnael remembers his debut in the African Champions League. “I did not travel with the team in the previous trip to Tunisia, in last season, but when we traveled to Sudan for Africa Champions League, I then traveled to Khartoum as a member of the squad.”
“When we went to Khartoum for the second leg after we drew 2-2 at home, I played as a substitute in that away tie. It was a historic moment for me. I am happy that it was my first African stage participation.”
“It made me feel like I’m stepping up a notch. It was a great experience. It boosted my confidence. Besides, I didn’t feel scared when all those fans were screaming.”
“I am confident when I enter the field, no matter my opponent is, I’m not scared”
Fasil City may not be challenging for the title this season but when they face the Champions, they play for pride. They beat St George on the first-round match of the League, but they lost in the second-round meeting between both sides.
“It’s a football battle for us and we are not afraid to face anyone in the league, especially St George.
“We went into the game against St George thinking we will win but we lost, and we accepted it because we knew we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we got without having a distinct superiority in the game.”
“On the whole, our season has been frustrating. There is anger inside. We will do our best to win the next games and improve our level”
The team is struggling this year and they even made changes on coaching staff.
Many fans are angry with the team’s results and recent performances, but Nathnael thinks the team is improving.
“Yes, there is a change. From now on, we need the points we get from each game, we must fight in the games we have, and we fight for ourselves. Even if there is a change after the arrival of Coach Ashenafi Kebede, we have to strive better to lift Fasil City.”
The Emperors plans on the remaining matches was broken down by Nathnael.
“We have to win the next games and raise our level. I can’t say that we will bring this result and how we will finish the season, but I believe that we will do our best in the future.”
Nathnael Gebregiorgis has been fortunate to train under some of the best Coaches with their different styles. He said that all they left a legacy on him.
“The coach who trained me when I was in the youth team, including Girmay Kiros, who included me and promoted five players to the main team, Coach Wubetu Abate, Coach Seyum Kebede with whom he won the League title.”
“There is also Coaches Hailu Negash, Tigana and Coach Asewen Bekele. I thank everyone of them who contributed to my growth and development.”

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