The one time Ethiopian Premier League Champions Ethiopia Bunna today confirmed they dismissed 3 players from the squad. The club is in a preseason camp at Hawassa. Bunna is under a new Serbian manager Dragan Popadic and it was reported that the new coach considers Nigerian born Beninese striker Abikoye Shakiru, defensive midfielder Dereje Hailu and Goalkeeper Getu Tesfaye surplus for the upcoming season.
Speaking exclusively to Soccer Ethiopia the club’s Human Resource administrator Mr. Tekleweyne said the 3 players were given the marching order.
“Abikoye Shakiru had a remaining 2 years contract. Since our club doesn’t want to continue with him he left with mutual consent. Apparently he accepted the decision. Getu and Dereje are the other players that the club released.” Tekeleweyne said.
Bunna signed Shakiru last summer. He impressed during the Addis Ababa City Castel Cup. However, he failed to replicate his fine form of the the City Cup in the Premier League outing. The Nigerian born center forward managed only to score 2 goals. Holding midfielder Dereje was signed from Dashen Beer FC last term. Albeit he was disappointing. Goalie Getu was a regular starter for Bunna. Both Getu and Dereje had a remaining 1 year contract.
Meanwhile, the controversy between Ethiopia Bunna and former captain Dawit Estifanos might end in the coming 5 days. The player was stripped from his captaincy and eventually fired midway through to the 2nd round of the Premier League after falling out with the club. Dawit sued Bunna for not releasing him from his remaining term while Bunna claimed Dawit should repay the signing fee he took last summer when he extended his contract, which is something Dawit deny. Mr. Tekeleweyne further explained about the issue. “Ethiopian Football Federation inquired if we have got the financial documents that demonstrate the payment made to Dawit. We sent all the necessary documents including a signed cheque and the contract detail. The Federation will examine the issue within 5 days and we expect to get a resolution soon.”
