From kicking a tattered football on the dusty streets of a small town in southern Ethiopia to signing a professional contract in the U.S., Loza Abera is living her dream. This month, she made history by becoming the first Ethiopian woman to sign with a U.S. professional football team, cementing her status as a trailblazer for women in Ethiopian sports.
“I am thrilled,” Loza exclaimed during an emotional interview with VOA’s Horn of Africa Service. “I used to tell my friends, ‘I will be the first woman international player.’ No one believed me then … but this was always my dream.”
Loza’s journey, from the fields of Durame city to the international stage, isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s an inspiring story that resonates with countless Ethiopians who dare to dream big.
Earlier this month, DC Power, Washington’s new entry in the Division 1 U.S. women’s football league, announced the groundbreaking signing of Loza Abera, the captain of Ethiopia’s Women’s National Team. This moment was more than just a contract—it was a milestone. Loza became the first Ethiopian-born woman to join a U.S. top-tier football league, making her a symbol of hope for aspiring athletes in her homeland.
But for Loza, this achievement carries a weight beyond personal glory. “I thank God for helping me reach here,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I understand I have a responsibility to inspire other Ethiopians.”
Loza’s love affair with football began early. Born in Durame, a city 320 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, Loza was drawn to the field across from her house, where she began playing at age five. “That field shaped me,” she recalled. “It was right in front of our home. Whenever I was outside, the field was always there.”
At just 15, Loza signed her first contract with Hawassa Kenema, a local club in southern Ethiopia. Back then, girls playing football in her city was a rarity. “Even though a few women came before me, it wasn’t common or accepted,” she explained. But when the Ethiopia National Football Federation directed men’s teams to create parallel women’s teams, Hawassa Kenema opened its doors to female players. Loza seized the opportunity.
In 2013, after just two years with the club, Loza’s talent earned her a spot on the Ethiopian national team, where she quickly became a rising star.
Loza’s path wasn’t without its obstacles. Before landing her groundbreaking deal with DC Power, she had stints in Sweden and Malta that didn’t go as planned, forcing her to return to Ethiopia. But Loza refused to give up on her dream.
In 2019 and 2020, while playing in Malta, she met U.S.-based football agent Mezmure Dawit Mekuria, who became instrumental in her journey to the U.S. “The discussion took six months,” Loza revealed. “When teams called for tryouts, he used his network to get me in, including tryouts in Miami, Orlando, and New York.”
By January 2024, Loza was waiting to hear back from her tryouts when Mezmure introduced her to the Virginia Marauders FC. In the summer of 2024, she scored 10 goals in 11 games, catching the eye of the coaches at DC Power and sealing her historic signing.
For Mezmure Dawit Mekuria, Loza’s journey is just the beginning. “She’s a hardworking professional with a strong mindset,” he said. “Talent without hard work is nothing, and as my project continues to help Ethiopians become professionals, more players will join the U.S. leagues soon.”
For Loza, playing in Washington comes with an added emotional boost—the large Ethiopian community in the U.S. capital. “It’s overwhelming to represent Ethiopia,” she said, her voice full of pride. “Seeing first-generation Ethiopian Americans come to my games is emotional. They’re striving to achieve their dreams, just as I did.”
Looking ahead, Loza’s goals are simple but ambitious. “I want to score as many goals as possible and win cups with the club,” she declared. But for the young girl who once played barefoot on a field in Ethiopia, her journey is already a testament to perseverance and the power of dreaming big.
Loza Abera’s story isn’t just a tale of football success—it’s a story of hope, inspiration, and breaking barriers. As she steps onto the U.S. football stage, she carries the dreams of millions with her, proving that with determination, anything is possible.
Her dream has come true, and she’s just getting started.
