ADDIS ABABA, April 6, 2021 - Abubeker Nassir has set this season’s BetKing Ethiopian Premier League alight and has broken a few records along the way. The Ethiopian international became the first man to score 20 goals in the first round of the league since the legendary Yordanos Abay pulled off the feat in the 1996 edition of the tournament.
While the African continent and some European countries have taken note of Nassir only now, it certainly has not been the case for regular followers of the Ethiopian national team. Interestingly, he was part of the team that took part in the 2016 AFCON U-17 qualifiers and beat Egypt in Cairo for the first time - Abubeker scored in that match. He has continued that form in the senior team, which he has been a part of since 2018.
Not only does Abubeker Nassir, also known as “Abuki”, have a keen eye for goal, his pace and work rate ensures he creates opportunities for his teammates as well. While there is no doubt about his talent, he has gone on to translate that promise into performance on the grandest stage of the continent, helping Ethiopia return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after an eight year absence.
More importantly, he has a mature and level head on his shoulder which was evident in how he handled the pressure in the BetKing Ethiopian Premier League match against Saint George in a hostile atmosphere.
Who’s Abubeker Nassir?
The 21-year-old forward plays his football for Ethiopian club side Ethiopian Coffee and the Ethiopian national team. He has made the Africa Soccer Zone African Player of the Week more than three times. He made the three-man shortlist for the clubs Player of the Year for the past three seasons, winning in 2019.
A talent formed on the streets of Addis Ababa
Born in 2000 in Addis Ababa to Ethiopian parents, Abubeker grew up playing street football alongside his brothers Redwan, and Gilbert.
Abubeker was first spotted by Harar City, former Ethiopian Premier league participants, but after his participation in the U-17 AFCON qualifiers against Egypt, Ethiopian Coffee offered a superior package: not only to Abubeker but to his entire family. Noting that his brothers are also talented, Ethiopian Coffee later recruited midfielder Redwan Nassir.
Since joining Ethiopian Coffee in 2016, Abubeker has won trophies in Ethiopian football, including the Addis Ababa City Cup and the Abay Renaissance Dam Cup titles.
How about a move abroad?
His love for the club and waiting for the right time to move abroad are the main factors that have stopped any potential move. Everyone in Ethiopian football has an opinion on where would suit him best; everyone, that is, except Abubeker himself. He regularly pays lip service in interviews, insisting he would love to ply his trade in the Premier League for Arsenal, but actions speak louder than words.
Last year, Abubeker rejected an offer from Egypt and other African giant clubs to sign a five-year long-term contract with the “Brownies” which was a historic moment in Ethiopian football. Besides, Ethiopian Coffee really wanted him to stay so the chance to move has not really been there. On the face of it, Ethiopian Coffee’s steadfast refusal to entertain ideas of their superstar leaving enhances this sense of obligation within Abubeker to repay those who have helped him. However, the club’s true motivation extends beyond football considerations.
Ethiopian Coffee former player and club legend, who has been managing the club since from last year Kassaye Arage “The Engineer” (among football’s truly great nicknames) not only extended the contract of Abubeker, they also gave chance and playing time to his brother Redwan Nassir.
As his career has progressed, so too has the protection afforded Abubeker by his employers. It’s undeniable that the 21-year-old has been good for Ethiopian football, but this has been a mutually beneficial relationship that has developed a sense of unbridled loyalty which seems increasingly difficult to break.
The youngster is the leading scorer of the BetKing Ethiopian Premier League with 20 strikes, three assists and three hat tricks to his name already in twelve games, and will be looking to add to that tally in the upcoming match weeks.
He has been in terrific form and has delivered when it mattered, coming up with goals against archrivals Saint George and current league leaders Fasil Kenema. He hasn't had a bad season in front of goal since he signed with Ethiopian Coffee, but his start in 2021 is scandalous. Abubeker is at the top of the BetKing Ethiopian Premier League scorers chart ahead of his compatriot Mujib Kassim.
