Mekelakeya and Sidama Bunna settled for a goalless stalemate while Welwalo Adigrat University registers their first victory after 8 rounds when they beat Hawassa Ketema 1-0 at home In week 14 fixtures of the topflight league.
Mekelakeya and Sidama Bunna played out a barren draw in Addis Ababa. In a game where both sides squandered to score, it was the Army side that came the closest to break the deadlock. Samuel Saliso missed on a one on one opportunity inside the first 9 minutes. Habtamu Gezaghen sent his low drive wide for the first Sidama’s dangerous attempt on goal but it was Addis Gidey who should have given the Yirgalem based club the lead when he found the time and space infront of a goalmouth. Addis shockingly missed to connect the ball to the empty net. Samuel rattled the post from a free kick as the first interval ended in a draw.
Sidama Bunna came out the stronger of the two sides having taken control of the midfield to create numerous scoring opportunities. Mekelakeya midfielders failed to contain Sidama’s dominance till Tewodros Tafesse came on replacing striker Akelesiyas Girma. Mekelakeya goalie Abel Mamo pulled off a great save to deny Baye Gezaghen from a direct free kick. His younger brother Habtamu had twice tested Abel but to no avail. Sidama custodian Mesaye was instrumental in keeping away Minyelu Wendimu from grabbing the winner.
Mekelakeya are 12th with 12 points whilst Sidama Bunna sits 8th with 17 points.
A first half strike from Prince Severin Waongo ended Welwalo Adigrat University’s winless streak after 8 rounds. Welwalo see off a dominant Hawassa Ketema side 1-0. The homers were an all attack for the first quarter of the tie before shifting to a defensive approach. Burkinabe winger Prince struck from 30 meters out to break the deadlock and hand Welwalo the lead in the 12th minute. Hawassa Ketema managed to gain full control of the game but came very short of finding the equalizer. Ten minutes before the end of half Israel Eshetu unleashed a powerful shot where Welwalo’s goalie Bereket Amare parried the ball away. In the 42 minute, veteran playmaker Mulualem Regassa leveled matters for the visitors from a free kick but the match official ruled the goal out as the decision is protested by the Hawassa team staff.
Hawassa persisted on to take their dominance; however the failed to make it count as Welwalo’s six man defense kept them at bay. Hawassa tried to get the equalizer attempts from Ivorian Mohammed Sylla, Ghanaian Gabriel Ahmed and Isreal but the scoring chances were all futile. Welwalo could have doubled their lead when Walelegn Gebre’s effort from distance hit the cross the bar. Welwalo’s defensive approach allowed them to protect their slander lead. Hawassa Ketema are winless in their last 6 games whereas Welwalo managed to collect maximum points for the first time following week 5 matches.
Hawassa Ketema are 11th with 14 points and a game on hand. Welwalo leapfrogged Hawassa to occupy 10th spot with 16 points.
