Welwalo Adigrat University F.C.


Welwalo Adigrat University Sport Club is an Ethiopian football club based in Adigrat, Ethiopia. They play in the Ethiopian Premier League, the top division of Ethiopian football.

History

Welwalo Adigrat University FC was promoted to the Ethiopian Premier League for the first time after the end of the 2016–17 season. Welwalo Adigrat is funded as part of Adigrat University, a public institution.
The club began as the official football team of Adigrat University, called themselves Welwalo, and competing in gold and black colors. The Welwalo initially participated in Group A of the Higher league, the second tier of Ethiopian football, before being promoted to the Ethiopian Premier League after the 2016–17 season.

Ethiopian Premier League

After a slow start to the season falling to 10th place in the premier league, the team sacked their manager Berhane GebreEgziabher. Former Arba Minch manager Tsegaye Kidanemariam was hired in his place. In a match versus Fasil Kenema, the Welwalo goalkeeper Zewedu Mesfin gained much attention for an infamous play in which he accidentally threw the ball into his own net. The own goal ended being the deciding factor in the match with Welwalo dropping all 3 points in 1–0 scoreline.
On April 30th, 2018 the club was involved in an altercation during a game against Defense Force S.C. that ultimately led to a member of the Welwalo coaching staff physically attacking the referee. Although all involved avoided serious injury after altercation the incident prompted the Ethiopian Football Federation to suspend the entire league upon further review of the situation, calling for an emergency meeting for the following Thursday.

Grounds

Welwalo Adigrat University FC plays its home games at Adigrat Stadium in the city of Adigrat in the northern Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Notably the field they play on was grass-less during their inaugural 2017–18 Ethiopian Premier League season. In August of 2018, it was announced that Adigrat Stadium would undergo renovations which would install a new grass field as well as new seating in the stands.

Derby

The club plays in the Tigray derby with fellow Tigray Region club Mekelle 70 Enderta FC. The derby enjoys relatively large attendances.

Former Managers

First-team squad

As of 12 January 2020