Yohanes Zewdu, also known as ‘Johnny Vegas’, has had an illustrious career, crossing paths with football greats like Italian World Cup champion Francesco Totti and England’s Jack Wilshere.
“Ethiopia’s journey to the 2026 World Cup in the USA might seem ambitious, but I believe we stand a chance,” Zewdu asserts.
With an extraordinary life journey that began in Addis Ababa during the 1980s, Zewdu’s ascent is nothing short of remarkable.
Migrating to Las Vegas at age 10 with his mother, he rose from humble beginnings on the Vegas strip to become a renowned lifestyle facilitator for sports celebrities and a social media star. His latest venture is as the international liaison and strategic advisor for the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF).
“Four months into this role, my aim is to connect the EFF with international leagues, federations, and brands,” explains Zewdu, professionally known as ‘Johnny Vegas’, in a conversation with Sport News Center.
“My mission is to showcase Ethiopian football’s potential and resources, inviting global investment to discover the exceptional talent we nurture here. We have a wealth of young, passionate footballers who only need a slight nudge and opportunity to excel.”
From Parking Valet to Celebrity Liaison
Zewdu’s own breakthrough came unexpectedly while working as a valet at the Bellagio hotel and casino.
“This job was a turning point for me. I encountered celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Floyd Mayweather, and Michael Jordan,” says the 36-year-old.
“One encounter with a French movie star led to a surprising gift: a signed Franck Ribery shirt and shorts. This sparked a chain of events that introduced me to Samir Nasri and eventually to assisting the Arsenal squad, including Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna. Sixteen years on, and we’ve catered to numerous famous personalities.”
Zewdu’s vast network, success with his company Kloudout, and social media influence led to many opportunities, including an appearance on the Seifu Fantahun show, akin to Ethiopia’s version of Jimmy Kimmel.
His success abroad didn’t overshadow his Ethiopian roots. Witnessing unchanged challenges in Ethiopia, he proposed a plan to the EFF that capitalized on his global connections to foster growth in Ethiopian football.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with role models who inspire Ethiopian youths. Realizing the unchanged struggles back home, I wanted to leverage my network to create football opportunities for my people,” Zewdu shares.
Boosting Ethiopia’s Football Prospects
Zewdu, during his meetings with EFF president Esayas Jira and Guido Fienga, CEO of Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, is focusing on building partnerships for the national federation.
Ethiopia’s men’s team, the Walias, have had a rollercoaster history, never qualifying for the FIFA World Cup and last making a significant Africa Cup of Nations impact in 1968.
With Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Stadium and others lacking facilities, the national team has been playing ‘home’ games overseas, including the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone in Morocco.
Zewdu sees his role as pivotal in changing this narrative.
“Though I’m not in a coaching or technical role, my focus is on forging international relationships for the federation. A key challenge is our inability to host home games, which is something I am looking to change by enhancing training and preparation resources and offering moral support to our players,” he explains.
Zewdu’s efforts may soon reflect in Ethiopia’s international football performance, symbolizing his belief that with determination and the right support, anything is achievable.
Understanding New African World Cup Qualifying Dynamics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ethiopian football development
Who is Yohanes Zewdu?
Yohanes Zewdu, also known as ‘Johnny Vegas’, is a former lifestyle fixer for sports celebrities and a social media influencer who has recently taken on the role of international liaison and strategic advisor for the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF). He aims to bridge the EFF with international leagues, federations, and brands, showcasing the potential of Ethiopian football.
What is Yohanes Zewdu’s goal for Ethiopian football?
Yohanes Zewdu’s primary goal is to help the Ethiopian national football team qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. He plans to utilize his international connections and expertise to improve the infrastructure and opportunities in Ethiopian football.
How did Yohanes Zewdu start his career?
Yohanes Zewdu started his career as a car-parking valet at the Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas. His interactions with celebrities there led him to become a lifestyle facilitator for sports stars and other public figures, eventually building a vast network that he now uses to benefit Ethiopian football.
What challenges does Ethiopian football face?
Ethiopian football faces several challenges, including the lack of adequate facilities in their stadiums, which has led the national team to play ‘home’ games in other countries. The national team, known as the Walias, has also struggled historically in international competitions.
How is Yohanes Zewdu addressing these challenges?
Zewdu is leveraging his extensive network and experience to form international partnerships for the EFF. His focus is on improving the training and preparation resources for players, enhancing the national team’s ability to host home games, and generally uplifting the standard of football in Ethiopia.
More about Ethiopian football development
- Yohanes Zewdu’s Career Path
- Ethiopian Football Federation
- Ethiopia’s Journey to World Cup 2026
- Challenges in Ethiopian Football
- Yohanes Zewdu’s Impact on Ethiopian Football
4 comments
I remember watching Zewdu on the Seifu show, he’s got such charisma. Can he really make a diff in Ethiopian football?
Zewdu’s use of social media and networking is on point, Shows how important these skills are in today’s world, even in sports!
Wow, Johnny Vegas really made it big from valet to this? Impressive stuff, Ethiopia’s football scene might just get the boost it needs.
gotta say, the story’s inspiring but, qualifying for the World Cup’s a tall order for Ethiopia, no? Let’s see what happens…