Walias’ captain Shimeles Bekele retires from int’l football

Addis Ababa, January 4, 2024 (FBC) – The Ethiopia football team attacking midfielder and captain Shimeles Bekele today announced that he is stepping away from international football.

Shimeles made his senior debut for Ethiopia national football team 15 years ago and was capped 83 times. He scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists to his national teammates in 83 appearances.

The forward kicked off his career at Hawassa City Football Club where he made his first football club debut as professional player. He then switched his allegiances to St. George FC and lifted the Ethiopian Premier League title several times with The Knights.

He also plied his trade outside Ethiopia for several African football clubs for 10 years, including Ittihad Tripoli of Libya and Al-Merrikh SC of Sudan. Shimeles then moved to Egypt and played for Petrojet SC, El Gouna FC, Misr Lel Makkasa SC and ENPPI FC.

In fact, he is currently playing for Mechal FC (formerly known as Mekelakeya) in the Ethiopian premier league.