Defence Force S.C.

Defence S.C.
Full name Defence Force Sport Club
Nickname(s) TORU
Founded 1938
Ground Addis Ababa Stadium
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Capacity 35,000
Chairman Ethiopia Ato Emanuel Fentahun
Manager Ethiopia Seyoum Kebede
League Ethiopian Premier League
2018–19 12th

Defence Force Sport Club (Amharic: መከላከያ "Mekelakeya") is an Ethiopian football club based in the city of Addis Ababa. They play in the Ethiopian Premier League, the top level of professional football in Ethiopia. . The team was formerly named Army SC and Mechal SC.

History

Mekelakeya is historically the second most successful club in Ethiopian football history with 11 top division titles, with the most recent coming in 1989. Their dominance in the early years of Ethiopian football was cemented with 6 titles in the span of 8 years from 1949 to 1956. After relative dormancy in the 1960s and 1970s, the club returned to its dominant ways in the 80's by winning 4 titles. The club also has enjoyed success in the Ethiopian Cup, winning it 13 times.

Premier League

On April 30th, 2018 the club was involved in a match where they were awarded a goal that their opponents, Welwalo Adigrat University, disputed. An altercation followed that ultimately led to a member of the Welwalo coaching staff physically attacking the referee.[1]

Domestic Cup Competition

Defense beat Hawassa City 2-0 to win the 2015 Ethiopian Cup for a record 13th time and for the second time in three years.[2]

CAF Competition

Defense entered the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup as the runners-up in the 2016 Ethiopian Cup. They were knocked out of the tournament by Cameroonian side Yong Sports Academy 2-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round.[3]

Grounds

Addis Ababa Stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000, is their home.

Former Managers

  • EthiopiaGeberemedhin Haile

Honours

1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1976, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989
1946, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1975, 1982, 1990, 2006, 2013, 2015, 2018

Performance in CAF competitions

1977 – First Round
2007 – First Round
2017 – Preliminary Round
1976 – Quarter-finals

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Ethiopia Abebe Tilahun
Ethiopia Yidenkatchew
Ethiopia Temesgen Gebrekidane
Ethiopia Dawit Estifanos
Ethiopia Shemeles Tegene
Ethiopia Minyelu Wondimu
Ethiopia Dawit Mamo
Ethiopia Firew Solomon
Ethiopia Samuel Taye

References

  1. ↑ "Referee attacked by Ethiopian footballers for goal decision". BBC. May 1, 2018.
  2. ↑ Okinyo, Collins (September 27, 2015). "Defense(Mekelakeya) lift Ethiopia Football Federation Cup for a record 13th time". soka25east.
  3. ↑ Chuma, Festus (February 20, 2017). "2017 CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round summary". soka25east.


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