The Ethiopia Premier League, also known as the Ethiopian Football Championship, is the top level of professional football in Ethiopia. It was founded in 1944 and has since then become one of the most competitive leagues in Africa. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the league's history, derbies, top scorers, best 11 players that have played in the league, the biggest teams and everything else that makes it a fascinating competition.

History

The Ethiopia Premier League was founded in 1944 and initially had six teams. Over the years, it has expanded to include more teams, with the current number of teams being 16. The league is organized by the Ethiopian Football Federation, which is the governing body of football in Ethiopia.

Derbies

The biggest derby in the Ethiopia Premier League is the Addis Ababa derby, which is played between two of the biggest teams in the country: Saint George and Ethiopia Coffee. The two teams are based in Addis Ababa and have a fierce rivalry that dates back many years. Other notable derbies in the league include the Dire Dawa derby, played between Dire Dawa City and Harar Brewery, and the Bahir Dar derby, played between Bahir Dar City and Bahir Dar Kenema.

Top Scorers

The all-time top scorer in the Ethiopia Premier League is Ydnekachew Tessema, who scored 163 goals in his career. He played for Saint George, which is the most successful team in the history of the league, winning the title 31 times.

Best 11 Players

There have been many great players who have played in the Ethiopia Premier League over the years. Here is a list of the best 11 players:

1. Jemal Tassew (Goalkeeper)

2. Abebaw Butako (Right-Back)

3. Aschalew Tamene (Centre-Back)

4. Alula Girma (Centre-Back)

5. Seyoum Tesfaye (Left-Back)

6. Ydnekachew Tessema (Midfielder)

7. Degu Debebe (Midfielder)

8. Adane Girma (Midfielder)

9. Salahdin Said (Forward)

10. Fikru Tefera (Forward)

11. Getaneh Kebede (Forward)

Biggest Teams

Saint George is the most successful team in the Ethiopia Premier League, having won the title 31 times. Other big teams in the league include Ethiopia Coffee, Dedebit, and Defence Force.

Conclusion

The Ethiopia Premier League has a rich history and is home to some of the best teams and players in Africa. The Addis Ababa derby between Saint George and Ethiopia Coffee is one of the most intense rivalries in the league, while Ydnekachew Tessema is the all-time top scorer. The best 11 players that have played in the league include Jemal Tassew, Abebaw Butako, and Salahdin Said, while Saint George is the most successful team in the league's history.