Erbo confident St George will be Champions

St George Striker, Amanuel Erbo believes the Horsemen will win the Ethiopia Premier League this season.

Erbo who has scored 9 goals this season after taking over the mantle of lead striker following the departure of Abel Yalew.

The Arbaminch born Striker is relishing life in the Capital with Ethiopia's biggest and most successful Club, a dream move.

"I started football by joining the Dedebit project around 2010/11 and before that I was playing only with my friends on my village."

"Thereafter, there is a project, under 13, called Five. Next to Dedebit, it's a good project in our city. After a season i came to Addis Ababa in 2017."

In 2011 Amanuel got the chance to join Ethiopia Coffee's youth team and spent a year.

"There were also opportunities to get into the first team as young Players got promoted to the main team, we had things to do with them, that is, with the main team."

His move to St George still gives him goosebumps as it was one phone call that he waited for a long time.

He was hoping he had made enough impression to attract their attention, but it took longer.

The next year, he was still hoping for their call but when it didn't come, he joined Gofa Baranche after going home for vacation.

"That year, as you remember, was the time of the outbreak of Covid. We were doing well, getting good results to get promoted to the top league. But it was discontinued due to covid."

"The following year, I stayed at Gofa Barance. but we failed in that competition.

"The current coach of Sheger City Tilahun, was the coach of Legetafo Legdadi when they got promoted to the Premier League in 2022."

"He saw me in 2022, and convinced me to join Legetafo Legedadi in the top league."

"Then in 2022/23 we got promoted to the Premier League, and I spent the year in Legetafo Legedadhi and at the end of the season I signed for St George."

Amanuel had a courage from family to be a top player specially from his father.

"Both my father and my local community contributed a lot. to reach here."

Amanuel is performing well in St George team led by Zerihun Shengeta.He started out playing mostly as a substitute, but he has become crucial for his team on those remaining minutes.

He is now playing regularly in the second half of the season following the departure of Striker, Abel Yalew who moved to Egypt.

Amanual also recounted what happened before he joined St George, especially the requests from several clubs but that one phone call changed his destination.

"Several clubs talked to me in the summer. In particular, Hawassa City and Ethiopian Insurance."

"In fact, Gebremedhin Haile, coach of Ethiopia Insurance, personally talked to me."

"I had already agreed to enter Insurance but when just as I was ready to sign the next day, coach Zerihun Shengeta called me around 5 PM on that day."

"He asked me if I would like to work with him. Then I didn't hesitate because playing for St George is my dream and I think I am lucky to be playing for St George this early in my career."

"Every Ethiopian player wants to play St George, a great team with a huge winning mentality, also a championship team."

Amanuel didn't take time to communicate with senior St George players. He said that they are very distinctive group. He added that also their love and unity is joyful.

"I didn't find it too difficult either. When you join a new team, it takes a while to get used to it, but I got used to it quickly and the reception from the existing players was very nice."

"The existing reception to young players is encouraging. In general, it was not difficult for me, I got used to them in a short time."

Amanuel has now scored 9 goals in 21 matches and competing to be a top scorer of the season.

He said he is dreaming of to finish the seaosn by scoring goals.

"According to God's will, I will finish as a star goal scorer. I also dream of winning a cup with my club."

The league title race is now a four-horse race between St George, Bahir Dar City, Mekelakeya and Leaders, Ethiopia Nigd Bank.

Amanuel has his say on this idea.

"All those teams are awesome. The same league is still there, and that's when the champion and the runner-up will be separated. To become a champion, every game is important. I think the competition is better this year."

He added that he is sure to be a champion with his team. "Yes, for sure we'll be Champions."

The 15-time league champions St George are at crossroads with rumours of discontent flying around but the winning mentality is still there and the fighting spirit on the matches is the same as before.

Amanuel said that the team's togetherness has a big impact on the season's way.

"Yes, despite what is being said, we are doing our job. The leaders of the club will do their job. The thing with the coaches is great. They are supporting us properly and we are working out of necessity. There is nothing wrong with us. We are playing to win the championship, so we will focus on the field and work to finish the year successfully."

He is from the origin of many good Ethiopian Players, but his role models are not from Dedebit.

"My role model is Getaneh Kebede. He is my role model. There are others like Salhadin Seid, Adane Girma, I grew up watching them.I am also a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo abroad."