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“I Have Seen That Ethiopia Has Great Potential,” Says Bacary Sagna
Chekole Alemu
Former French international footballer Bacary Sagna has praised Ethiopia’s social fabric and sporting potential following his first visit to the country, describing his experience as both eye opening and encouraging.
Sagna arrived in Addis Ababa alongside Macron, the official kit supplier of the Ethiopian national football team, and attended the official unveiling of the new national team kit at the Sheraton Addis. The visit marked his first direct engagement with Ethiopia, a country he said he had previously known only from afar.
“I am happy to be here. What I saw with my own eyes is very different from what one perceives from a distance. Being here in person changes the narrative,” Sagna said during the event. He noted that the warmth of the public reception stood out, adding that he found Ethiopians to be respectful, cooperative, and strongly oriented toward collective effort.
“To be honest, you made me feel at home,” he said. “Your country has great potential. Many things exceeded my expectations.”
Beyond cultural impressions, Sagna used the occasion to reflect on football development in Ethiopia. He emphasized that progress in the sport depends less on quick results and more on sound structures and leadership. According to him, placing the right people in the right positions is essential for long term success.
“I have seen some good beginnings,” Sagna said. “I am ready to help in any way I can. You have the resources needed to succeed, but achieving results requires patience.”
His remarks come at a time when Ethiopian football is seeking to rebuild and professionalize, particularly at grassroots and institutional levels. The involvement of an international brand such as Macron and the presence of a high profile former player like Sagna signal growing international interest, though translating that visibility into sustainable development remains a key challenge.
During his stay, Sagna also visited the Adwa Victory Memorial, which commemorates the Battle of Adwa, a defining moment in African history when Ethiopian forces defeated invading colonial troops in 1896. The memorial received Sagna as an honored guest, highlighting the symbolic importance of the visit.
At the site, Sagna learned about the historical legacy of Adwa, a battle widely seen as a testament to unity, courage, and strategic leadership. His visit linked sport and history, underscoring how national identity and collective memory continue to shape Ethiopia’s public life.
While Sagna’s comments were largely positive, they also implicitly pointed to the work ahead. Ethiopia’s potential, as he described it, depends on institutional coherence, patience, and sustained investment. His visit offered encouragement and international visibility, but the responsibility for lasting progress remains with local football authorities and policymakers.
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