Other destinations have emerged in North Africa and the Middle East where three Zebras players are currently employed. However, former Zebras goalkeeper, Ezekiel Morake has taken a new route to East Africa.
The goalkeeper last month traded the diamonds in Jwaneng for the coffee in Ethiopia. Morake penned a two-year deal with Ethiopian Premier League side, Ethiopia Coffee SC (Ye Ethiopia Bunna SC) on a free transfer after leaving Jwaneng Galaxy. ‘Zakes’ becomes the first local player to move to the Ethiopian league. But how did the move come to materialise? “The club has been tracking me for a while, in fact, during the CAF Champions League matches.
And when my contract ended, they approached my agent to check my availability. Since I was a free agent I just decided to give it a shot, especially since it was an outside move,” Morake told Mmegi Sport this week.
He said it was not a difficult decision to make as he believes he has moved a level higher than the local league. “It wasn't a tough decision to make so to say. I can confirm to you that I follow different leagues across the world, including the Ethiopian league. Remember the league is televised on Supersport TV. And besides that their league is competitive.
You can relate that with their national team that has qualified for CHAN next year and their national team also qualified for the last AFCON edition. That alone tells you about the league or football that is growing in leaps and bounds,” Morake said. Mmegi Sport is informed that the 26-year-old is also enjoying a good payday as he earns nothing less than $5,000 (approximately P60,000).
This is more than three times what he earned from his previous contract with Galaxy. Over the past weekend, Morake, who wears jersey number 50, inched closer to making his debut with the team as he made his first match day squad list as his side beat Sidama Bunna 1-0. He tells Mmegi Sport that there is tough competition in the goalkeeping department, a fight he relishes.
“I have been in Ethiopia for a month now. Well it is not the first time being here. I first came with the national team. As I mentioned, the football here is good and of a higher standard than our league back home.
As for my club, I cannot complain about anything. They welcomed me warm-heartedly from the first day and I must say the club is good and extremely professional. “I got my work permit last week and got the chance to be on the bench for the first time. In my department, it is very competitive. We are all good and capable of being the first choice.
I know expectations, as a foreigner is that I should play regularly and I am aware of that. It is not the first time I played outside. So I am ready. For now, it's to keep working hard and wait for my chance to come,” Morake said.
The shot-stopper has played for TS Galaxy in South Africa and FC Satmos previously. His new team, Ethiopia Coffee is currently placed fifth after five rounds of the 2022–2023 Ethiopia Premier League. The team is five points behind leaders, St George, who have 12 points.
