A CV Ahead of Its Time: See Why Wubetu Abate Still Fits Shabana’s Direction

Not every opportunity arrives at the exact moment it is needed. Some come early, sit quietly, and only make sense later.

Back on October 29, 2025, a CV from Wubetu Abate landed in Shabana’s inbox, with Shabananation also copied in. At the time, it may have felt like just another coaching profile reaching out. Today, it feels different.

Because now, the context has changed.

With Peter Okidi no longer in charge, Shabana find themselves in a familiar position, searching for stability and direction. Ongwae is currently handling duties on an interim basis, working alongside Osborne Monday, whose return has already sparked conversations about a shift in how the team wants to play.

As we recently highlighted, there has been a growing feeling among supporters that Shabana need to move away from reactive football. Too often it has been rushed, direct, and lacking control. The kind of football fans themselves call mpira ya kupura. The expectation now is clear. Not just effort, but identity.

And that is where revisiting Wubetu Abate’s profile becomes more than just interesting. It becomes relevant.

At the Ethiopia national football team, he built a competitive side largely from local players and guided them to the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 after eight years of absence. That achievement was not built on shortcuts. It came from structure, discipline, and a clear tactical approach.

That same approach is exactly what Shabana appear to be searching for now.

At club level, his work speaks consistently. Success with Ethiopia Coffee S.C., strong performances with Fasil Kenema S.C., and experience beyond Ethiopia with Al Ahli Shendi FC in Sudan show a coach who understands how to adapt while maintaining identity.

This is not about chasing big names. It is about finding the right fit.

Osborne Monday’s presence suggests Shabana want to build something more controlled, more thoughtful, more intentional. But that vision needs a head coach who can turn ideas into structure on the pitch. Someone who can organize, develop, and give the team a clear way of playing.

Wubetu fits that description.

There is also something worth noting about the timing of that original email. It shows intent. A coach at that level identifying Shabana as a project worth being part of. That alone says something about how the club is viewed beyond its immediate environment.

Of course, football decisions are never that simple. A CV from months ago does not automatically become the next appointment. But in a moment where Shabana are clearly at a crossroads, it makes sense to revisit options that align with the direction the club now seems to be taking.

Because sometimes, the right answer is not the newest one.

Sometimes, it is the one that was already there, waiting for the right moment.

Share your opinions in our telegram discussion here