Fasil Kenema Sport Club (Amharic: ፋሲል ከነማ ስፖርት ክለብ), also known as Fasil City, is a professional Ethiopian football club based in Gondar, Amhara Region. They play in the Ethiopian Premier League, the top division of football in Ethiopia.
| Full name | Fasil Kenema Sport Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Emperors | |||
| Founded | 1968 (1960 E.C.) | |||
| Ground | Fasiledes Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 20,000 | |||
| Manager | Wubetu Abate | |||
| League | Ethiopian Premier League | |||
| 2023–24 | Ethiopian Premier League, 6th of 16 | |||
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History
editBeginnings
editFasil Kenema is one of the oldest organized sport teams in Ethiopia. Established in 1968 (1960 E.C.) in the historic city of Gondar, Fasil Kenema served as the first and only sport club for many years. The club is named after the 17th century Ethiopian Emperor Fasilides who ruled Ethiopia from its then capital city Gondar.
Promotion and relegation (2006–2016)
editHaving played for many years in the second division of Ethiopian football, the Ethiopian Higher League, the club earned its first promotion to the Premier League after the 2006–07 season (2000 E.C.).In their inaugural campaign during the 2007–08 season, Fasil Kenema struggled to keep pace with most of the clubs. The club's stay in the top tier of Ethiopian football would be short-lived as the club was relegated back to the Higher League after their inaugural 2007–08 season.
Return to the Premier League (2016–present)
editIt would take the club a further 8 years to reach the Premier League again by virtue of becoming champions of the 2015–16 (2008 E.C.) Ethiopian Higher League.[1] Fasil Kenema was able to place in 6th place in the 2016–2017 Premier League Season securing their stay in the top tier.
Fasil Kenema were involved in one of the more infamous plays of the 2017–18 Season, when during a game against Welwalo Adigrat they became the beneficiaries of an bizarre own goal by the Welwalo Adigrat goalkeeper. The goal was crucial as it turned out to be the winner, handing Fasil Kenema all 3 points.[citation needed] Fasil was Ethiopia's representative in the 2019–20 and 2020–21 CAF Confederation Cup by virtue of the club capturing the 2019 Ethiopian Cup.[2][3] The club lifted its first league title after the 2020–21 season.[4]
Stadium
editFasil Kenema plays their home matches at Fasiledes Stadium in Gondar, Ethiopia.[5] Named after the cities founder, Emperor Fasiledes, it has served the club since its creation in 1960 E.C. In 2010, the stadium underwent minor renovations funded by the local municipality and private donors. There are plans to build a new stadium in a different location in Gondar in the hopes it will host the club in the future.
Support
editFesil Kenema enjoys large support from residents of its home city and region of Gondar, with many fans traveling with the team during away matches.[6] The supporter are known for creating a festive atmosphere, especially at home matches with their relentless display of song and dance.[5] The team is nicknamed "The Emperors" (አፄዎቹ) by its fans in reference to the great 17th century Ethiopian Emperor Fasilides.[7]
Honors
editDomestic
edit- 2021.
- 2019.
- 2019.
African
edit- CAF Confederation Cup: 2 appearances
Players
editFirst-team squad
editAs of 31 January 2023[10]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
editCoaching staff
edit- As of 4 August 2023
Manager/Head coach: 
Wubetu Abate[10]
First Assistant coach:
Assistant coach: Muluken Abuhi
Goalkeeper coach: Adam Bazezew
Team Doctor: Shemles Desalegn
Former managers
edit- Mentesenot Getu
- Seyoum Abate
- Wubetu Abate
References
edit- ^ Berhanu, Markos (2016-07-23). "Fasil Kenema FC secures promotion to Ethiopian Premier League". Ethiosports.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
- ^ Berhanu, Markos (September 24, 2020). "Mekelle 70 Enderta And Fasil Kenema To represent Ethiopia In CAF Club Competitions". Ethiosports. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ Berhanu, Markos (August 21, 2019). "CAF Confederation Cup: Fasil Kenema leaves for Dar es Salaam". Ethiosports. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ Enyadike, Emeka (May 22, 2021). "Fasil Kenema get their trophy". Supersport. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ a b Samson, Michael (February 27, 2017). "EPL Super Sunday clash Dedebit Vs Ethiopia Bunna". Capital Ethiopia. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ Isabirye, David (Nov 20, 2017). "Mugerwa's Fassil Kenema wins, Odongkara's St George held". Kawowo Sports. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ "Nine-man Bahir Dar hold Fasil Kenema". Ethiopian Premier League. January 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021.
- ^ Berhanu, Markos (August 24, 2019). "Fasil Kenema crashes out of CAF Confederation Cup". Ethiosports. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ Ben Malek, Fakhreddine (December 6, 2020). "Coupe de la CAF : L'US Monastir se qualifie in extremis". tunisienumerique. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "Fasil Kenema". Soccer Ethiopia. Archived from the original on 2021-01-11.