He began his career as a track specialist in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres. He ran in the 10,000 m final at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics and finished in seventh place. He achieved his 5000 m best of 13:02.28 minutes at the Athletissima meeting in 2000 and ran his 10,000 m best of 27:07.55 minutes in Palo Alto, California the following year. In the longer event, he won a silver medal behind Assefa Mezgebu at the 2001 Goodwill Games and was the bronze medallist at the 2002 African Championships in Athletics.