Kidane Gebremichael scored the game-winning goal in Souderton’s win over Pennridge. His journey to Souderton was anything but typical. (Photo provided courtesy of Tommy Meehan: Photos from the Sidelines.)
Kidane Gebremichael’s amazing journey from African refugee to Souderton soccer standout
By Jarrad Saffren
In one 2009 day, Kidane Gebremichael walked six hours to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. He did so in secret, leaving his family behind, because he was escaping an oppressive, restrictive government in Eritrea, his home country.
In the hierarchy of endurance tests, 80-minute high school soccer games are nothing after that.
“He’s in the best shape of a high school player I’ve seen in a while,” said Matt Benner, Gebremichael’s coach at Souderton. “And when he’s on the field he never stops running.”
“He’s incredibly fast and unbelievably conditioned,” said Ben Campman, Gebremichael’s varsity teammate and Souderton’s captain.
Off the field, Gebremichael has stopped running. After six years in the Ethiopian refugee camp, where he went to a school that “wasn’t bad” but had “no family or money,” Gebremichael arrived in the United States in September 2015.
Among the unaccompanied, dependent minors in the camp, it was finally Gebremichael’s turn. The US Emigration Office allowed him to enter the country because Bethany Christian Services, a social services agency, set him up with a Foster family.
He lives with a Souderton mom who has two biological children in college.
“She can teach me how to cook,” Gebremichael said, laughing. “I like school and the team and the people in America, everything. Everything here is very, very happy.”
“It’s different from Africa. I couldn’t do anything I need. I felt like I was always being watched. You could be punished if you weren’t at school,” Gebremichael added. “The military is very, very tough. That’s not something I wanted to do. If I (went) back to the country, I would have to go to war.”
Instead, he is continuing his education at Souderton and playing for the boys soccer team. Gebremichael hopes to go to college after graduating in 2019.
“He’s a very smart and wise man, responsible beyond his age,” said Habtom Weldeyesus, Gebremichael’s case manager with Bethany Christian Services. “He’s healthy, comfortable and happy here. He knows what he’s doing, why he’s doing it and what he wants to do.”
Like almost any high school junior, Gebremichael is not quite sure where he wants to go to college. He is also not sure if he will play soccer. But he is a natural at the sport.
Gebremichael started playing soccer after arriving in the US, when he started attending Souderton’s offseason workouts. He did not go out for the team in 2016. Yet he made varsity in 2017, and is starting a lot of games.
“We were drawn to his foot skills and speed and the quality of a person he is,” Benner said. “He’s always smiling, always getting along with the group.”
“He’s quite good on the ball. He’s just a gifted athlete,” Campman said. “I’ve seen him hit some crazy shots in practice.”
Gebremichael’s speed has worn out opposing defenders in the second halves of games. Last Thursday night, in a rivalry game against Pennridge, Gebremichael scored the winning goal in the 54th minute. He did it by, yes, outrunning defenders and tapping in a through ball.
“Oh man! I saw the picture (of Gebremichael reacting to the goal),” said Weldeyesus. “That was amazing!”
Souderton lost its three top scorers from 2016. Benner thinks Gebremichael can pick up the slack as the year goes on.
“He’s always a factor when he’s in,” Benner said.
But no matter how much he scores, Gebremichael is having an impact. He has taught his teammates the most valuable of lessons.
“Soccer is one of the sports that since a lot of people have been playing for so long, it’s like a chore. High school is just the natural progression,” Campman said. “It’s refreshing to see someone who everything is new to. He’s just excited to come out and play every day.” 
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