From Player to Scout: David Beshah’s Mission to Redefine Ethiopian Football Development

The Ethiopian Football Federation has taken a major step toward professionalizing its international scouting structure. Leading the initiative is David Beshah, an Ethio-German former player and current head of international scouting. In this exclusive interview, he details the process of identifying players abroad, the challenges of limited resources, and his vision for integrating diaspora talent into Ethiopia’s national team system.

David Beshah’s path in football has been shaped by two identities. Born and raised in Germany to an Ethiopian father and a German mother, he went on to represent Ethiopia both as a player and, later, as a builder of its future. “I’m a former professional football player and had the honor of playing for the national team and for Ethiopian Coffee,” he says. “In 2013, I became the first player ever from Europe to join the Ethiopian Premier League.”

His playing career ended prematurely because of a knee injury, but it opened the way to a new chapter. While playing, Beshah earned a Diploma in Football Management in Germany and later completed courses in Match Analysis and Scouting. Those experiences helped him transition from the pitch to the technical and management side of the game.

Today he serves as Head of International Scouting at the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF). He acts as the main contact for diaspora players interested in representing Ethiopia at national level.

He manages a database, scouts potential talents, and maintains communication with players, families, clubs, and agents. Although the position became official a little over four years ago, he says the project of connecting players of Ethiopian roots to the national team has been ongoing for more than a decade.

“As a former diaspora player myself, I was always aware of the potential among Ethiopian players abroad,” David explains. “After spending six years in Ethiopia and experiencing the local football environment, I realized how much talent there is within the country itself. It felt natural to focus on connecting these two worlds.” When he began, there was no official way for interested diaspora players to contact the federation. That gap has now been addressed. “There is a structure in place — not finished yet — but at least a contact point for foreign-based players to get in touch,” he says.

David identifies potential players through a mix of research and local connections, particularly for younger age groups. He plans to develop an official EFF website where players of Ethiopian descent can register, allowing the federation to review and evaluate them. Once he finds a player, he verifies their Ethiopian roots and, for minors, contacts the parents.

He attends games, evaluates videos, and builds relationships with families and clubs. “What helps me is that I’ve been on both sides — I played in Ethiopia, but I also grew up and played abroad,” he says. “That combination makes it easier for me to connect with players and families and to inspire them to represent Ethiopia.”He acknowledges, however, that the department needs better resources. “For example, we need a scouting software, a proper player database, and tools for video scouting. Up to now, I’ve been financing everything myself, but I hope we’ll soon find a way to get proper funding.”

The federation’s database now includes more than 200 players. When building or updating it, David considers where a player is currently playing, their youth career, and their overall development. “All players are considered, but realistically, if someone has only played at a lower amateur level and is now 26 or 27, the chances of making the national team are quite small,” he says. Still, every submission is reviewed carefully.

He wants to make the system more data-driven. “For that, we need proper software solutions — and those come at a cost,” he notes. “That’s one of the reasons why we’re now trying to secure funding for international scouting.”

David doesn’t prioritize certain positions; instead, he works closely with coaches to match their needs. He stresses personality as the key criterion. “The players must fully identify with Ethiopia and see representing the country as the greatest honor. If that mindset isn’t there, it simply won’t work.”

Ethiopia’s effort to integrate diaspora players depends on FIFA’s approval of eligibility rules. “We’re still waiting for the final approval from FIFA,” Beshah says. “I had hoped to receive it before the U17 CECAFA tournament, but that will probably not happen in time.”

He explains that FIFA is reviewing whether the Origin ID — a document confirming Ethiopian descent — can serve as valid proof of identity. An alternative could be a service passport issued solely for national team participation. “It’s just a matter of process,” he says. “I’m optimistic we’ll have this resolved soon. Once FIFA gives approval, this system will also apply to women’s football. I’ve already been approached by women who would love to represent Ethiopia.”

To improve evaluation, he plans to organize scouting camps abroad, where national team coaches can personally observe players. “Because you don’t do trial sessions with a national team — that’s not professional,” he says. “When a player gets called up, it should mean he has been thoroughly scouted and that the coaching staff is fully convinced of his qualities.”

For David, convincing players to choose Ethiopia over other countries is simple: honesty. “It’s very easy and natural because I just tell them the truth — my own experience playing in Ethiopia. That makes me authentic because I know the reality,” he says. “Nearly all players I’ve approached showed keen interest.”

The greatest obstacle, he says, has been funding. “I’ve been financing everything myself up to this point,” he admits. “But if we want to build on what we’ve started, there has to be proper investment — from government, sponsors, or ideally both.”

He believes now is the right time to act. “With the right support, we can achieve visible results quickly and also see long-term benefits for the overall development of football in Ethiopia,” he says. “To meet the Prime Minister’s ambitions and successfully host AFCON 2029, we need to develop a competitive national team made up of both local and diaspora players.”

David says he is currently in Addis Ababa discussing next steps with EFF President Isayas Jira, who has been supportive, and other federation officials. “I’m confident we’ll find the right solution to implement and finance this initiative,” he says.

His long-term goal is to build a system modeled on successful African examples. “Countries like Morocco have integrated diaspora players across all age groups,” he says. “This requires a well-structured and professionally managed scouting department.”

He wants Ethiopia’s network to grow so that parents, players, and agents proactively contact the federation. Early identification is key. He believes once the first diaspora players are called up and share positive experiences, more will follow.“The goal,” he adds, “is for Ethiopia to become a regular participant in AFCON across all age categories, including women’s football, and eventually to qualify for a World Cup.”

He also hopes to see the scouting department become a permanent, institutional part of the Ethiopian Football Federation — “one that continues to function effectively even after I’m no longer in this position.”

David points to examples like Morocco and Cape Verde, which have successfully integrated their diaspora players. “West African countries have been doing this for quite some time,” he says. “But beyond talent, players must show a genuine desire and commitment to represent Ethiopia. For me, it’s always will over skill.”

Under FIFA’s eligibility regulations, players can represent a country if they hold its nationality or if one of their parents or grandparents was born there. However, FIFA requires official proof of nationality — such as a passport or citizenship certificate — rather than an ethnic or ancestral identification. In Ethiopia’s case, the Origin ID confirms Ethiopian descent but is not yet legally recognized as full citizenship. This technicality means that players with Ethiopian roots born abroad cannot be officially registered for national team duty until FIFA accepts the document as valid proof of nationality.

To address this, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) is now working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide FIFA with the necessary legal assurances The goal is for FIFA to formally recognize the Origin ID — or an alternative such as a special service passport — as sufficient documentation for diaspora players. “It’s just a matter of process,” says David. “We’ve provided all the paperwork, and we’re now waiting for FIFA’s official response.”