The 2016/17 Ethiopian Premier League kicked off on Saturday and continued on Sunday with seven more remaining fixture played across the country. Dedebit and Premier League rookies Addis Ababa Ketema and Woldia pulled off a huge wins in week 1st with Sidama Bunna, Adama Ketema and Wolaitta Dicha came out victorious. Jimma Aba Bunna held Ethio-Electric to a goalless draw.
Dedebit thumped 10 men Ethiopia Bunna 3-0 in the week’s biggest encounter in Addis Ababa Stadium. In a tie that saw a number of yellow cards, a red card and the season’s first hat-trick the home side Bunna started off brightly as Nigerian Samuel Sanumi’s shot hitting the right bottom post in the 14th minute. Nonetheless, Bunna’s Beninese goalie received his marching order in the 15th minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area. Getaneh Kebede stepped up and struck a superb the resultant free kick to hand the Blues the lead.
Ethiopia Bunna tried to push forward with a more attacking spirit but all their goal attempts were squandered. Meanwhile, Dedebit were threating to double their lead through a countless counter attacks.
Getaneh yet again doubled the lead seven minutes after the recess when he heads home from close range. The Ethiopian international grabbed a hat-trick on his home return 12 minutes from time with a clinical finish as his goal tally against Bunna raises.
Veteran striker Andualem Nigusse struck the lone goal when Woldia beat Ethiopia Nigd Bank 1-0 in Melka Qolle. Another newcomer Addis Ababa Ketema stunned the two times Premier League champions Hawassa Ketema 2-0 away. Haileysus Melka and Fikadu Alemu netted the two goals for the capital club as they recorded their first three points in the league’s history.
Adama Ketema squeezed past Dire Dawa Ketema 1-0 in Adama. Team captain Suleiman Mohammed struck the solitary goal as Adama down the Easterners at home. Wolaitta Dicha started off the league on high note with a vital win over Mekelakeya. In a game that elapsed 2-0, Alazar Fasika and Bezabeh Melyo scored the winning goals.
A goal from summer arrival Tirtaye Demeke was enough to hand Sidama Bunna maximum points against rookies Fasil Ketema in Yirgalem. Elsewhere, Jimma Aba Bunna’s first ever Ethiopian Premier League game ended in goalless stalemate. Ethio-Electric managed to pick up a single point from West Ethiopia in their season opener.
