Background
Yidnekachew was born in Jimma on September 11, 1921, the son of the famous poet Tessema Eshete, the first Ethiopian to have his songs recorded on gramophone discs that made him the first modern court musicians.
Yidnekachew was born in Jimma on September 11, 1921, the son of the famous poet Tessema Eshete, the first Ethiopian to have his songs recorded on gramophone discs that made him the first modern court musicians.
Yidenkachew’s interest in football begun at early age, and he started playing football at the age of eight. He played for his school for five years, for the first Ethiopian soccer team, the Saint George Club for 27 years. He played 27 times in international competitions representing his country.
During the racially segregated footballing of the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, Yidnekachew translated the rules of soccer into Amharic language for the Native Sports Office.
The year following the end of the occupation, Yidnekachew led the establishment of an official sports federation. He served CAF as the deputy president between 1964 and 1972 and as the President between 1972 and 1987.
Yidnekachew died on August 20, 1987 after a long illness.
Yidnekachew was instrumental in founding member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the late 1950s. He was also member of the African Sport Congress, International Olympics Committee, Fédération internationale de football association and President of the African Olympics Committee.