The Walias

With the conclusion of the 2022 Africa’s Cup - won by Senegal’s “Lions of Teranga” - we are reminded that Ethiopia’s team was also once known as the “Lions”, specifically the “Black Lions” in honor of the black-maned Abyssinian Lion.
But today, the pride of Ethiopian Football are known as the “Walias,” named after the rugged antelope from the country’s highlands, the “Walia Ibex.”  Although “Black Lions” was a very suitable name, several other African countries also use the name “Lion.”  In addition to the “Lions of Teranga”, Morocco has the “Lions of Atlas” and Cameroon has the “Indomitable Lions.”    Like the animal, the name “Walia” is unique to Ethiopia.
Football is tremendously popular throughout Ethiopia and visitors can see the Ethiopian Premier League at numerous stadiums throughout the country.

Below are the football teams of Ethiopia’s neighbors:
Eritrea - The Red Sea Boys
Djibouti - Riverains de la Mer Rouge (Shoremen of. The Red Sea)
​Kenya - Harambee Stars (Harambee is the national motto “All Pull Together”)
Somalia - The Ocean Stars
South Sudan - The Bright Stars
Sudan - Falcons of Jediane