Five games were played in week 3 of the Ethiopian Premier League across four cities in the country as Adama, Dedebit, Electric and Fasil picked up victories to take home maximum points. Reigning champions Kidus Giorgis were held to a one all draw by newcomers Mekele Ketema in Addis Ababa.
Wolaitta Dicha 1-2 Adama Ketema
Adama Ketema ended a two games winless streak to get their first three points of the season when they defeated Wolaitta Dicha 2-1 in Sodo. Knean Markneh put the visitors ahead in the 23rd minutes through a long range strike. The Adama native who played for Addis Ababa Ketema last season doubled the lead in the 37th minute when Megnot Debebe picked him up to slot home. The visitors took a two goals cushion heading to the second half leaving Dicha who were great in their opening two league fixtures. Mesay Teferi’s charges halved the deficit following the resumption through Togolese striker Arafat Djako. The homers piled on the pressure to score the equalizer which went in vain as Adama hold firm to defend their slander lead. Adama duo Dawa Hotessa and Suleiman Mohammed were shown a red card after a second booking.
ArbaMinch Ketema 1-2 Ethio-Electric
ArbaMinch Ketema continued on their woeful start as they lost at home to Ethio-Electric. Ghanaian striker Kalusha Al-Hassan gave Electric the lead 14 minutes into the encounter when he finished off a good assist from Haile Eshetu. The Crocodiles managed to restore parity when Nigerian import Lucky Bariledum Sunny successfully converted a spot kick at stroke of half time. Electric players filed a complaint over the penalty kick. Ivorian striker Didier Lebri restored the lead in the 52nd minute. Electric went on to hold ArbaMinch for the reminder of the game. ArbaMinch Ketema could only pick 2 points in 3 games.
Jimma Aba Jifar 0-1 Fasil Ketema
Premier League newbies Jimma Aba Jifar suffered a second successive loss yet again as they succumbed to 1-0 loss to a strong Fasil Ketema. The Emperors took an early lead when Abdelrahman Mubarak’s strike was parried away by Ghanaian goalie Junior Agjey but Nigerian forward Philip Dauzi fired home with the rebound. The former Electric striker Dauzi limped off in the 23rd minute to make way to Mohammed Nassir. The home side failed to penetrate a resilient Fasil’s backline. Aminu Neseru come the closest to level matters but his effort struck the bar four minutes before half time. Jimma tried to score the equalizer through Endale Debaleke, Samson Kolecha and Henok Adugna; nonetheless their efforts were futile. Fasil Ketema rounded the week with a win away to Jimma.
Dedebit 2-1 Hawassa Ketema
Dedebit bounced back to winning ways after defeating Hawassa Ketema 2-1 in Addis Ababa. Hawassa, who came to the duel having beaten Woldia 4-1 comfortably on week 2, failed to capitalize on their deserved lead. Tafese Solomon broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with a fine finish from 16 meters out the left Ghanaian keeper Clement Azonto absolutely no chance. Hawassa kept on dominating the proceedings for much of the game but the Blues equalized in the 28th minute through Getaneh Kebede. Abel Yalew superbly beats his markers and struck on goal but Tekelemariam Shanko saved the effort where Getaneh turned in the easy opportunity with the rebound. After the resumption, Abel struck the second goal for Dedebit inside the area. Hawassa Ketema were still the better side of the two but still failed to create scoring chances.
Kidus Giorgis 1-1 Mekele Ketema
Newly promoted side Mekele Ketema were minutes away from causing an upset of the week when they hold holders Kidus Giorgis to a one all draw in Addis Ababa. A Mentesnote Adane last gasp header rescued the record Ethiopian champions from losing to Mekele Ketema. The game was dull as both sides created very few chances. Amanuel GebreMikael gave the visitors a surprising lead in the 66th minute when he converted a penalty kick. The Horsemen should have waited to the stoppage time to get the leveler. Mentesnote restored parity in the dying moments of the game with a header from point blank range. It was a good result for Mekele Ketema who shared spoils against the Ethiopia giants.
Dedebit tops the log with five points. Electric, Adama Ketema, Fasil Ketema, Wolaitta Dicha, Woldia follows Dedebit closely with the same point tally. ArbaMinch Ketema, Mekelakeya and Kidus Giorgis, who have two games on hand, are bottom with a single point.
Ethiopian Premier League Week 3 Results
Saturday, November 18/2017
Woldia SC 0-0 Dire Dawa Ketema
Welwalo Adigrat University 0-0 Sidama Bunna
Ethiopia Bunna 1-0 Mekelakeya
Sunday, November 19/2017
Dedebit 2-1 Hawassa Ketema
ArbaMinch Ketema 1-2 Ethio-Electric
Jimma Aba Jifar 0-1 Fasil Ketema
Wolaitta Dicha 1-2 Adama Ketema
Kidus Giorgis 1-1 Mekele Ketema
