Ethiopian Cup Drama Unfolds: Wolaita Dicha Crowned Champions, Secure CAF Confederation Cup Berth
Ethiopian Cup Drama Unfolds: Wolaita Dicha Crowned Champions, Secure CAF Confederation Cup Berth
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated Ethiopian football fans, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has overturned the outcome of the 2025 Ethiopian Cup final, declaring Wolaita Dicha Sport Club the rightful champions. This decision not only awards the coveted trophy to Wolaita Dicha but also grants them a coveted spot in the upcoming 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, marking their second appearance in the prestigious continental competition.
The ruling, made by the EFF’s executive committee on May 31, 2025 (24/10/2017 Ethiopian Calendar), follows a formal complaint lodged by Wolaita Dicha against Sidama Coffee Sport Club, the initial winners of the final. The Federation found that Sidama Coffee had fielded suspended players and benefited from biased officiating during the controversial match, which was played behind closed doors.
A Final Shrouded in Controversy
The 2025 Ethiopian Cup final, which saw Sidama Coffee defeat Wolaita Dicha 2-1, was marred by controversy from the outset. Wolaita Dicha’s board had previously expressed their dismay after thousands of their loyal supporters, who had traveled overnight from Wolaita to Addis Ababa, were denied entry into the stadium. The club had also requested the match be played on neutral ground in Addis Ababa, a request initially accepted, only for a last-minute decision to impose a closed-door policy on the day of the game. This move, according to the club, caused significant distress and morale damage to their dedicated fanbase.
Wolaita Dicha’s Resolute Stand and Allegations
Following the contentious final, the Wolaita Dicha Football Club released a five-point statement outlining their grievances and demanding justice. Their claims included:
- Ineligible Players: Sidama Coffee allegedly fielded players who were suspended by the League Company due to accumulated penalties.
- Officiating Errors: The team cited several clear errors by the referees, including a disallowed goal for a questionable offside call and a denied penalty kick, leading to repeated claims of injustice.
- Seeking Redress: The club asserted that they had presented information and evidence to the Federation and were diligently following up on their request for a legal decision and a review of the match’s conduct.
Furthermore, Wolaita Dicha explicitly requested the return of the Ethiopian Cup, arguing that Sidama Coffee’s victory was illegitimate due to violations of Ethiopian football rules and the fielding of ineligible players. The club also highlighted Sidama Coffee’s alleged attempt to evade accountability by trying to take the matter to an ordinary high court, which Wolaita Dicha stated was outside its jurisdiction. The club had previously warned that if the Federation failed to act, they would escalate the case to the international sports court.
EFF’s Decisive Ruling and Public Reaction
The Ethiopian Football Federation’s executive committee ultimately sided with Wolaita Dicha, declaring Sidama Coffee defeated by forfeiture. This landmark decision not only returns the Ethiopian Cup to Wolaita Dicha but also grants them the spot in the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2025/2026 season.
The news has been met with an outpouring of jubilation from Wolaita Dicha’s massive fan base. Local media reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of supporters have taken to the streets in various locations to express their joy following the Federation’s ruling. This marks a significant victory for a club known for its passionate following, and one that previously made headlines by defeating Egyptian giants Zamalek in their first African Confederation Cup appearance.
Gearing Up for the CAF Confederation Cup: What We Know So Far
As of July 1, 2025, the full roster of participating clubs for the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup is still being finalized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Qualification hinges on the outcomes of domestic cup competitions and league finishes across CAF’s 54 member associations, with many still in the process of submitting their representatives.
Qualification Criteria:
- Domestic Cup Winners: Each of CAF’s member associations is expected to send their domestic cup winner.
- League Finishers (Top 12 CAF Nations): The top twelve-ranked CAF member associations (based on CAF’s 5-year club ranking) are permitted to register an additional team, typically the club that finishes third in their domestic league (provided they haven’t already qualified for the CAF Champions League).
Confirmed (or Strongly Indicated) Participants So Far:
- RS Berkane (Morocco): As the defending champions of the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup, they are highly likely to participate again.
- Wolaita Dicha (Ethiopia): Their spot is now secured following the EFF’s decision.
- Abia Warriors (Nigeria): Confirmed to represent Nigeria.
- Kwara United (Nigeria): Also confirmed to represent Nigeria.
- Azam FC (Tanzania): Drawn against Somalia’s Hordeed SC in the preliminary rounds, indicating their participation.
The official draw for the preliminary rounds of the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup is typically held in late July or early August, once all national associations have submitted their qualified teams. Until then, the list of participants will remain incomplete.
The CAF Confederation Cup is a continent-wide club competition, with matches played on a home-and-away basis throughout the tournament. The final, however, is generally played at a single venue or occasionally over two legs. The specific venue(s) for the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup final have not yet been announced by CAF. For reference, the 2024/2025 final was played over two legs, with the first leg in Berkane, Morocco, and the second leg in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, where RS Berkane of Morocco emerged victorious against Simba SC on May 25, 2025.
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