Abayneh began competing on the European road circuit in 2010 and quickly had success, winning the Istanbul 15K. He ranked in the top eight of the Delhi Half Marathon with a time of 60:51 minutes. He switched to track running in the 2011 and had wins at the Cezmi Or Memorial and the Sotteville Pro Athlé Tour meet. He was chosen for Ethiopia at the 2011 All-Africa Games and won a 5000 metres bronze medal, finishing behind Uganda's Moses Kipsiro and a younger compatriot Yenew Alamirew.