Ethiopian international Shemeles Bekele returned home to join the Army side Mechal. It is considered and incredible choice for the diminutive midfilder was said to join either of the two sides title aspiring Fasil Ketema or his home town club Sidama Bunna.
Nearly a decade since since his first professional contract with number of foreign clubs, the most successful Ethiopian football products the current national team skipper Shimeles joined Mechal in a two year contract for undisclosed amount of transfer money. According to unofficial sources Mechal’s Football director Abraham Mebratu has played the major role of snatching the midfield mastero under the nose of former national team coach Wubetu Abate who took over Fasil Ketema the new boss.
The 31year-old, veteran of the Ethiopian national squad that made history reaching for African Cup of Nations final after 31 years absence, is considered one of the recent times best footballers who managed to perform at the highest stage for nearly a decade.
Ugandan goalie Alionz Nafia between the woodwork, newly signed Ashalew Tamene to pair with another Ugandan in central defence, Shimeles orchestrating the mid field, and Kenan Markneh leading the strike force, Mechal’s weak link to serious title contention might be little known Coach Gebrekrstos Birra who never have a chance to be in charge of big name clubs including Mechal.
Nine years in the Egyptian league the former Hawassa Ketema and Kidus Giorgis play maker Shimeles played for six years in Petro Jet followed by four years in there different Egyptian clubs :Al-Mekasa, El-Gowna and NP.