Old foes Mekelakeya and Kidus Giorgis set up a crunch derby date in the League Cup final after winning their respective semi final ties.
League champions Kidus Giorgis played out a 1 all draw against Adama Ketema but were victorious 5-4 in penalty shootouts. Meanwhile, holders Mekelakeya edged out a poor Ethiopia Nigd Bank as the Army side condemned the Bankers to a resounding 3-0 defeat.
Adama Ketema dominated Kidus Giorgis but all went in vain as they failed to reach the final. The Horsemen took the lead five minutes before the interval when Salahdin Said successfully converted a penalty after Adama goalie Jacob Penza fouled Behailu Assefa. Adama captain Souliman Mohammed restored parity midway through to the second half when his goal bound cross found the back of the net leaving the on rush Kidus Giorgis custodian Zerihun Tadele clueless. The scores tide up at 1-1, the two sides went straight to the penalty shootouts.
Zerihun pulled off a great save from Moges Tadesse’s spot kick to ensure Kidus Giorgis’s progress to the final.
Mekelakeya were ruthlessly effective as they trashed Ethiopia Nigd Bank 3-0 to reach the League Cup final for a third time in four years. Addis Tesfaye headed home a corner to give Mekelakeya the lead in the 7th minute. Firew Solomon doubled the lead from close range in the 39th minute before Samuel Taye sealed the win in the second half as they rub shoulders against old rivals Giorgis to lift the league Cup for the second time in a row.
The ultimate final between Kidus Giorgis and Mekelakeya will be held on Thursday at Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium.
Mekelakeya beat Kidus Giorgis 5-3 on penalties two seasons ago as they won the league cup. Both sides had also met in 2015 league cup semi final where Mekelakeya yet again won 2-1.
