The 2016/17 season Ethiopia Premier League round 26 kicked off today with five games played in the afternoon as Sidama Bunna move up to second place while Dedebit, Ethiopia Bunna and Adama Ketema dropped valuable points in the title race.
Ethiopia Bunna 0-0 Jimma Aba Bunna
Ethiopia Bunna played out a goalless draw against relegation battlers Jimma Aba Bunna infront of a packed Addis Ababa Stadium. The tie saw a one minute moment of silence for in memory of the late Ethiopia Bunna avid supporter Biniyam, who passed away last week. The West Ethiopian side stared off brightly but couldn’t manage to find the back of the net. The second half saw numerous goal scoring chances at both end but the sides settled for a draw. Ethiopia Bunna’s hope of securing a league title after the 2011/12 season is now in limbo. They sit 4th with 43 points, 3 shy of joint leaders Kidus Giorgis and Sidama Bunna, while Jimma Aba Bunna are 13th.
Sidama Bunna 3-1 Addis Ababa Ketema
Addis Ababa Ketema get closer to relegation after crashing to a 3-1 away loss to Sidama Bunna in Yirgalem. The capital city club dominated the opening minutes as Haile Eshetu struck to put them ahead in the 18th minute. However, Nigerian import Lucky Bariledum Sunny turned in a Wesenu Mazze cross to equalize 10 minutes later. Sunny completed his brace after the resumption following Addis Gidey’s corner kick found him. Addis Ababa were reduced to ten men in the 52nd minute as defender Dabiel Abate’s second booking. Addis put the game to bed through a clinical finish to hand Sidama a vital win. Sidama moved to second with 46 points, level on points with leaders Kidus Giorgis. Addis Ababa Ketema sits rock bottom with 19 points.
Wolaitta Dicha 1-0 Ethio-Electric
Ethio-Electric’s recent woe kept on as they fall to Wolaitta Dicha in Sodo. The home side was in a desperate need of maximum points to get out of the drop zone. Dicha was the better side in the opening minutes of the match. Anagaw Badege scored the winner in the 36th minute. Electric were dominant in the second interval as they came very close to tie the score through Dawit Estifanos, Behailu Teshager and Teklu Tafese. Wolaitta Dicha are 11th with 29 points whilst Ethio-Electric occupies 12th with 28 points.
Adama Ketema 1-1 Ethiopia Nigd Bank
Veteran striker Tafese Tesfaye rescued a point as Adama Ketema scored late to force a 1 all draw against relegation threatened Ethiopia Nigd Bank. The latter is fighting relegation while the former is battling for maiden league title. Ghanaian midfielder Gabriel Ahmed put the Bankers infront in the 56th minute. Tafese leveled matters deep into the stoppage time as Adama salvage a point. The draw kept Adama not to close the gap at the top, leaving them 5th with 43 points. Ethiopia Nigd Bank sit 15th with 24 points, 4 points from safety.
Mekelakeya 0-0 Dedebit
Title contenders Dedebit were held to a barren draw at Addis Ababa Stadium by Mekelakeya. In heavily contested duel Dedebit custodian Tarike Getnet pulled off a save from Maraki Worku and Samuel Saliso’s effort in the first interval. The Army side were superior in attempts on goal but failed to find the back of the net. Dedebit striker Dawit Fikadu received his marching order 8 minutes from time because of dissent. Dedebit slipped to third with 45 points as Mekelakeya occupies 7th with 32 points.
