Mekelakeya trashed Wolaita Dicha 3-0 in a game played at the Addis Ababa Stadium this evening to qualify for the quarter final of the Ethiopian League Cup. The army side, record 13 time winners of the competition, made easy work of their opponents thanks to a brace from striker Baye Gezahegn and a successful penalty from Behailu Girma.
The game kicked off to a slow pace with both teams content to pass the ball around the middle without penetrating the final 3rd. Baye Gezahegn should have scored the opener in the 8th minute when he was played in through a wonderful pass from Michael Desta, but his effort from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.
Alazar Fasika thought he had given the lead to his side in the 25th minute, but the goal was denied in account of the ball that set him up going out of the pitch before curling back in. Soon after, Mekelakeya were awarded a penalty after Dicha defender Thomas Simretu was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the danger zone. Behailu Girma made no mistake from the spot firing past a static Wondwosen Ashenafi. Dicha pushed forward to find an equalizer before the break, but the closest they got was Mesay Anchiso’s free kick which went narrowly wide.
Mekelakeya striker Baye Gezahegn scored his first of the game in the 64th minute when he headed in a Shimelis Tegegn free kick. Dicha were unable to create clear cut opportunities for the remainder of the game while Baye Gezahegn made the result beyond doubt with his 2nd goal of the game in the 85th minute beating Dicha keeper Wonwosen Ashenafi 1 on 1.
The quarter finals of the competition will commence on April 6 with Mekelakeya taking on league leaders Dedebit.
Full quarter final fixtures:
April 6, 2016
5:30 PM – Mekelakeya vs Dedebit (Addis Ababa Stadium)
April 10, 2016
3:00 PM – Sidama Buna Vs CBE (Addis Ababa Stadium)
5:30 PM – Ethiopia Buna Vs Adama Ketema (Addis Ababa Stadium)
Kidus Giorgis Vs Arbaminch Ketema (Date and Time TBD)
