Yigezu Bogale, Ethiopia’s new golden boy

Yigezu Bogale has been recognised as one of the best players in the 2021/22 Betking Ethiopia Premier League season.

The Sidama Coffee striker was able to finish the campaign as the highest scorer with 16 goals.

His young age, combined with his promising potential, has raised expectations for the coming season.

Bogale was born in Aleta Chuko, one of the Woredas in the Sidama Region of Ethiopia.

"I started playing football in school and in my village," he said. “In 2015/16, I was selected to play in the Sidama Championship for Aleta Chuko where I was then recruited to play for the Sidama Coffee under-17 team.

After joining the Sidama Coffee team, Bogale showed rapid growth and spent two years in the under-17 and under-20 teams after which he joined the main team with the help of coach Zeray Mulu.

"Although I was promoted to the main team in 2018/19, I did not have a chance to play. I just trained with them."

"But in the second round, I got a chance when players like Temesgen Gebretsadiq, Addis Gidey and Mohamed Nasir were injured."

"In 2018/19, I played my first game against Shire EndeSillasie at Hawassa."

At first Bogale struggled to find opportunities in the regular line-up, but he kept himself busy by learning from the experienced players in the squad.

He would draw inspiration from the big stars ahead of him in the pecking order, especially Addis Gidey who left his mark on his development.

"Addis Gidey is the best player I've played with. He's the one who has helped me to get where I am."

At the start of the 2021/22 season, there were protests from the fans that Sidama Buna did not transfer a goal-scoring player.

Nobody expected that the youngster coming from the youth team would be the highest scorer of the season.

The protests reached their crescendo during the City Cup competition at the beginning of the year and there was a lot of pressure on Sidama Coffee.

"This season was both good and difficult. The team hired a great coach and wanted to win the trophy."

“At the time, the fans didn't believe in me and there were calls that we needed a new striker. This was causing me psychological damage.

“It was a challenging time for me. It was more than I could bear. I was playing under a lot of pressure."

"But my coach advised me a lot and in the end I was able to finish the season as the star scorer.

"I never expected to be highest scorer at the beginning of the year. There were strikers in the league with better experience than me like Abubakar Nasir and Getaneh Kebede. My focus was only to score in every game."

Based on his performance, Yigezu Bogale was called up by the Ethiopian national team led by coach Wubetu Abate.

Bogale has transferred his fine scoring form from his club to the Ethiopia national team.

"Any good football player thinks about playing in his country's shirt. I'm very happy that God has helped me to achieve my goals."

"I have also scored against South Sudan and Lesotho. I can't tell you what that feels like."

Bogale’s fledgling career received a boost midway into the 2021/22 season when Ethiopia legend Salhadin Said signed for Sidama Coffee to become his strike partner. It has been a surreal experience for the young striker as he has benefited immensely from the experience of the veteran.

Bogale is overjoyed to be playing together with Salhadin on the same field.

"I knew Salhadin only by seeing him on TV and hearing him on the radio. He is a very experienced striker in our country. He is a player who has played abroad.

"I am very happy to play with him. He has guiding me on the field and I am very lucky to be playing with this great striker."

"When I missed chances to score, he told me that I can score another goal. I want to thank him for his encouragement and belief.

"If it is God's will, I will score a goal in every game in the 2022/23 season."

"My goal is to take advantage of the opportunities I get, to improve myself and have an even better season this year."