The 2016/17 Ethiopian Premier League week 3 ties played out over the weekend across the country with homers Kidus Giorgis, Wolaitta Dicha, Hawassa Ketema, Jimma Aba Bunna and Sidama Bunna emerged victorious. Ethio-Electric and Addis Ababa Ketema settled for a 1-1 draw as Woldia held Dedebit to a barren stalemate at home.
10 men Kidus Giorgis overcame old foes Mekelakeya 3-0 in Addis Ababa Stadium. The Horsemen reduced to 10 men in the first interval after Mehari Mena shown a straight red card for blatantly hitting Minyelu Wendimu. Mekelakeya could not build on their numerical advantage as the record Ethiopian champions put past 3 goals in the second half. Burkinabe Abdulkerim Nikima put Kidus Giorgis ahead in the 56th minute before veteran striker Adane Girma headed home to double the lead three minutes later. Second half substitute Salahdin Said sealed the win from a spot kick 10 minutes before time. Center back Salahdin Bargicho came on the second half after virtually out for a year due to a knee injury. Salahdin got injured in national team duty when Ethiopia lost 1-0 to Rwanda in CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
An 8th minute goal from Alazar Fasika was enough for Messay Teferi’s Wolaitta Dicha to beat visitors Adama Ketema. Adama Ketema tested their first defeat of the season on their first away game.
Hawassa Ketema defeated ArbaMinch Ketema 2-0 in an all-South Ethiopia affair. Summer arrival Firew Solomon scored a second half brace to hand Hawassa their first win of the season.
Coach Zelalem Shiferaw’s return to Yirgalem elapsed in a defeat. Sidama Bunna squeezed past Dire Dawa Ketema 1-0. Kenyan Sunday Mutuku struck the lone goal 15 minutes before time as Sidama collected maximum points.
Newly promoted side Jimma Aba Bunna registered their victory in the history of the Premier League following a 2-0 win over Ethiopia Nigd Bank. Dawit Tefera gave the Jimma outfit the lead five minutes after the recess. Ame Mohammed put the final nail in the coffin in the 80th minute. Midefielder Dawit just became the first Jimma Aba Bunna player to score in the Premier League.
Addis Ababa Ketema came from behind to force a 1-1 draw against Ethio-Electric. Electric’s winless run continued as the capital club are unbeaten in their opening three fixtures. Dawit Estifanos’s wonderful curling effort put Electric ahead in the 21st minute. Addis Ababa Ketema hit back through Fikadu Alemu in the 39th minute through a simple header from close range.
Elsewhere in Woldia, Dedebit could only muster a barren draw against Woldia SC. Woldia are unbeaten in their last three games.
Kidus Giorgis tops the log table with nine points from three games. Wolaitta Dicha are second with six points from two games. Adama Ketema are third with six points but inferior to Dicha on goal difference. Ethiopia Nigd Bank, Mekelakeya, ArbaMinch Ketema and Ethiopia Bunna are languishing in last places.
Week 3 results
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Ethiopia Bunna 0-1 Fasil Ketema
(49’ Ermias Hailu)
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Hawassa Ketema 2-0 ArbaMinch Ketema
(46’ 52’ Firew Solomon)
Ethio-Electric 1-1 Addis Ababa Ketema
(21’ Dawit Estifanos / 39’ Fikadu Alemu)
Jimma Aba Bunna 2-0 Ethiopia Nigd Bank
(50’ Dawit Tefera 80’ Ame Mohammed)
Wolaitta Dicha 1-0 Adama Ketema
(8’ Alazar Fasika)
Sidama Bunna 1-0 Dire Dawa Ketema
(75’ Sunday Mutuku)
Woldia 0-0 Dedebit
Kidus Giorgis 3-0 Mekelakeya
(55’ Abdulkerim Nikima 58’ Adane Girma 80’ Salahdin Said [PK])
Week 4 Fixtures
Saturday, December 3, 2016
17:30 – Dedebit vs. Hawassa Ketema (Addis Ababa Stadium)
Sunday, December 4, 2016
15:00 – Mekelakeya vs. Woldia (Addis Ababa Stadium)
15:00 – ArbaMinch Ketema vs. Jimma Aba Bunna (ArbaMinch Stadium)
15:00 – Adama Ketema vs. Ethiopia Bunna (Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium)
15:00 – Fasil Ketema vs. Kidus Giorgis (Fasiledes Stadium)
16:00 – Dire Dawa Ketema vs. Addis Ababa Ketema (Dire Dawa Stadium)
17:30 – Ethiopia Nigd Bank vs. Ethio-Electric (Addis Ababa Stadium)
