Veteran Ethiopian Referee Bamlak Tessema Bids Farewell to International Officiating

By

Veteran Ethiopian Referee Bamlak Tessema Bids Farewell to International Officiating




Sports Hunter South Sudan: Addis Ababa – Renowned Ethiopian international referee Bamlak Tessema has officially announced his decision to step away from the world of refereeing, bringing an end to a celebrated career that has spanned both domestic and international stages.

In an emotional statement, Bamlak revealed that he has "decided to isolate himself from the world of refereeing," marking the conclusion of a journey that has seen him officiate at the FIFA World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations, African Nations Championship (CHAN), CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the Olympic Games.

The 43-year-old referee expressed pride in having represented Ethiopia on the global stage, stating:

"It has been an honour to serve my country at both national and international levels. I thank FIFA for the opportunities and trust placed in me throughout my refereeing career."

The Ethiopian Football Federation also issued a heartfelt tribute, applauding Bamlak's contribution to the sport:

“We express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to Bamlak Tessema for his years of dedicated service. His impact on Ethiopian and African football will always be remembered with pride.”

Widely respected for his composure, consistency, and professionalism, Bamlak leaves behind a legacy that has not only elevated Ethiopian refereeing but also inspired a new generation of African match officials.

As he steps into the next chapter of his life, the football world salutes a man who has left an indelible mark on the beautiful game.



Comments

Post a Comment

Most viewed posts (last 30 days)

SOUTH SUDAN FORMER INTERIM COACH ASHU BACKS BRIGHT STARS TO COMPETE IN TOUGH AFCON 2027 GROUP

By
Image
South Sudan former interim head coach Cyprian Ashu believes the Bright Stars can challenge for qualification in Group B of the TotalEnergies AFCON 2027 qualifiers despite being drawn against Egypt, Angola and Malawi. Ashu, who was appointed as interim coach on March 12, 2026, in his second spell with the Bright Stars, successfully guided South Sudan past Djibouti in the preliminary round to secure a place in the group stages. Reacting to the draw, the Cameroonian tactician described the group as “interesting, promising and very difficult,” while highlighting the pedigree of African giants Egypt. “Egypt, we all know, has won so many African Cup of Nations trophies, probably only rivaled by Cameroon. They are also a very good team,” Ashu said. He also pointed to the strength of Angola and Malawi, two sides he has closely analysed and faced in recent qualification campaigns. “Angola is a very good team with many players based in Portugal, while Malawi are also a side we know very well,” ...
Read full story

Ethiopia Cruise Past South Sudan with Emphatic Aggregate Victory

By
Image
  Ethiopia’s U-17 women’s side delivered a dominant performance in Addis Ababa, thrashing South Sudan 6-0 in the second leg of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Building on their first-leg advantage, the Ethiopians showed class and control throughout the encounter at the Addis Ababa Stadium, leaving South Sudan with little room to respond. The result sealed an emphatic 8-0 aggregate victory, confirming Ethiopia’s progression to the next round in convincing fashion. Second Leg: 🇪🇹 6-0 🇸🇸 Aggregate: 🇪🇹 8-0 🇸🇸 Competition: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Read full story

OPINION | When Silence Becomes Structure: Juba Queens and the Transparency Gap in South Sudan Football

By
Image
© South Sudan Football Federation / Official Media By Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Football does not fail only when rules are broken. It fails more quietly—when rules exist, but their application cannot be seen. In South Sudan, the emergence of Juba Queens FC has become more than the story of a new women’s club. It has become a stress test of football governance itself: whether the game is guided by written regulation, or by procedures that operate without public explanation. Because in football administration, what is not explained is quickly replaced by what is assumed. And what is assumed soon becomes accepted. The case of Juba Queens exposes a governance gap in South Sudan football where regulation exists in practice but not in transparency. A System That Operates Without Being Seen According to individuals familiar with domestic football administration, Juba Queens were registered directly under the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) rather than through th...
Read full story

Shadows Behind the Touchline: The Nicolas Dupuis Saga and the Crisis of Governance in South Sudan Football

By
Image
Shadows Behind the Touchline: The Nicolas Dupuis Saga and the Crisis of Governance in South Sudan Football Opinion By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku — Sports Hunter South Sudan In global football, professionalism is not a luxury. It is the baseline on which every credible football project is built. Contracts, transparency, communication, accountability—these are the pillars that sustain national teams. Yet in South Sudan, a prolonged and deeply unsettling saga surrounding Bright Star head coach Nicolas Dupuis has revealed the fragility of these foundations. His dispute with the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) has evolved from a private grievance into a public test of governance—and the silence around it is now louder than any explanation offered. At the centre of it all stands a single question: Can a football nation succeed when its leadership refuses to speak clearly, act transparently, or honour its own commitments? A Press Conference That Broke the Quiet The turning point un...
Read full story

Orat Explains Kator FC Exit, Cites Lack of Respect from New Leadership

By
Image
By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan - 9th April 20226 - Former Kator FC head coach Nicola Peter Orat has opened up on the reasons behind his resignation, pointing to a breakdown in relations with the club’s new administration. In an interview conducted by Hatrick 24 and monitored by Sports Hunter South Sudan, Orat said he felt undervalued and disrespected by members of the newly appointed steering committee. “The reason for the resignation is the new administration. The newly appointed people did not give me my value and were not respecting me,” he said. The coach, who had initially chosen to remain silent, confirmed he decided to speak publicly to clarify his position. “I had opted not to discuss what happened, but today I’m talking in the media.” Orat stepped down shortly after Kator’s draw with Lion Hunters FC in the South Sudan Premier League — a match that saw him face his curren side. Background Kator FC’s steering committee officially accept...
Read full story

🇸🇸 EXCLUSIVE | Viola Doki: “We Will Come Back Stronger for South Sudan”

By
Image
By Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan South Sudan U-17 women’s national team goalkeeper Viola Doki has spoken exclusively to Sports Hunter South Sudan following a challenging FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 preliminary round campaign. The junior Bright Starlets fell 2–0 in Juba before suffering a 6–0 defeat in Addis Ababa against Ethiopia , ending their qualification hopes—but for Doki, the experience marks the beginning of a bigger journey. 🎙️ On her debut for South Sudan “It was a massive honor to represent South Sudan for the first time,” Doki said. “Making my debut and being trusted as the first-choice goalkeeper meant everything to me, even though it was a tough experience. “I took responsibility for my role, just as my teammates did theirs. Now that the debut is done, it’s about going back, working harder, and improving for the next opportunity.” 🎙️ Reflecting on the two matches “It was a very difficult campaign for us,” she admitted. “We had high ex...
Read full story

Soanarivo’s Goalkeeper Routine Caught in Action During Olympic Qualifier in Juba

By
Image
Photo by: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Caption: Madagascar goalkeeper Anastasie Soanarivo was seen spitting on her gloves during the CAF Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Qualifiers match against the South Sudan women’s national team at Juba National Stadium on 9 June 2026. The in-game routine is a common goalkeeper technique used to moisten the latex and improve grip and control of the ball in real time.
Read full story

OPINION | When Questions Changed the Game: How Juba Queens Became a Turning Point for Football Governance in South Sudan

By
Image
Juba Queens completed a key administrative step at the Juba Football Association during the signing of striker Sarah Night James, as the club moves through its official registration process ahead of league participation. Photo Credit: Juba Queens By Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Football is often remembered through goals, trophies, and moments of brilliance under pressure. But its most defining moments are not always played on grass. Sometimes they unfold in silence—inside administrative systems, procedural decisions, and the quiet structures that determine who is recognised, how they are recognised, and whether anyone can see the process at all. This is one of those moments. On Sunday morning, Sports Hunter South Sudan published an opinion titled “When Silence Becomes Structure: Juba Queens and the Transparency Gap in South Sudan Football.” It did not question the existence of a club, nor the ambition behind it. It questioned something more fundamental: whethe...
Read full story

Exclusive Interview: Rizik Hakim Outlines His Vision for Al Ghazala SC Wau Ahead of CAF Confederation Cup Campaign

By
Image
  Interview by Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Newly appointed Al Ghazala SC Wau head coach Rizik Hakim is preparing for a historic continental challenge after taking charge of the club ahead of their participation in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The CAF B Diploma holder arrives with extensive experience across South Sudan football, having worked with Atlabara, Malakia, Kator as assistant and head coach on three occasions, Viva Star FC, Al Rabita FC as head coach twice, Merriekh FC Juba as head coach twice, and Jamus FC as an assistant coach. Hakim has also served as an assistant coach with the South Sudan Senior Women’s National Team and the South Sudan Men’s National Team. His coaching career has been highlighted by success at both club and academy level. As head coach of Kator FC, he guided the club to two South Sudan Cup final (Juba)  appearances during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. While at Future Stars Football Academy, he help...
Read full story

Victor Lawrence: Carrying a Nation’s Expectations — and the Silence of a Paused Passion

By
Image
   Feature | Inside pressure, disqualification, and the quiet return of identity By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan 28th April 2026 - There are moments in football that are recorded in results — and others that are carried long after the result is forgotten. For Victor Lawrence, former Secretary General of the South Sudan Football Federation , the defining chapter of his 4 years and 7 months in office , which ended in November 2025 , lives in those quieter moments. Not in victory. But in responsibility.  “I was trying to build something that would last” Before the setbacks, there was intention. “I challenged myself to leave something meaningful behind — building pathways for coaches through CAF C and B diplomas, and putting structures in place.” It was a long-term vision inside a system under constant short-term demand. “The most difficult pressure was balancing expectations with reality.” Expectations came from everywher...
Read full story