Relegation battlers Dire Dawa Ketema and Addis Ababa Ketema registered an important victory as Dedebit missed out on a chance to top the league following their draw against 10 men Jimma Aba Bunna in a very controversial encounter as Week 20 of the topflight kicked off on Sunday.
Addis Ababa Ketema beat Ethiopia Nigd Bank 2-1 in a relegation dogfight played out in Addis Ababa. Winger Dawit Mamo, who is making a return from injury setback, put the capital city club ahead in the 18th minute before Haile Eshetu slotted home the second in the 56th minute. Bankers’ talisman Biniyam Belay halved the deficit 10 minutes before time; although Bankers continued on their worst performance of the season. The win takes Addis Ababa Ketema to 15th with 15 points as they exceed Ethiopia Nigd Bank in goal differences.
Dire Dawa Ketema bounced back from last week draw with a 2-0 win over Sodo side Wolaitta Dicha in Dire Dawa. Zelalem Shefiraw’s side took the lead through Habtamu Wolde in the 25th minute. Mikael Lema put the game to bed 15 minutes before time as the Easterners salvage all maximum points. Dire Dawa Ketema occupies 13th with 21 points. Wolaitta Dicha are 11th with 22 points.
Dedebit missed out on a chance to lead the Ethiopian Premier League following their 1 all draw against Jimma Aba Bunna in Addis Ababa in the later kickoff. The visitors dominated the proceedings and were ahead when Mohammed Nasser fired past Clement Ashety to give Aba Bunna the lead. Jimma Aba Bunna were reduced to 10 men after their goal scorer Mohammed given his marching order for a foul on Ivorian defensive midfielder Kadar Coulibaly. Ethiopian international Getaneh Kebede put the Blues on level terms in the 88th minute with his 16th goal of the season. Jimma Aba Bunna Ugandan import Krizistom Nitambi effort in the dying moments of the tie was believed to cross the line as the match official waved play on. The incident inflicted a wide protest by Aba Bunna players that eventually became a pitch brawl with Dedebit players.
Kidus Giorgis, who lost their reverse week 18 match to Mekelakeya on Friday, still tops the log table with 35 points. Dedebit follows with the same point tally but inferior in goal difference. Sidama Bunna and Ethiopia Bunna are third and fourth. Jimma Aba Bunna occupies 14th with 20 points.
Week 20 Results and Fixtures
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Ethiopia Nigd Bank 1-2 Addis Ababa Ketema
Dire Dawa Ketema 2-0 Wolaitta Dicha
Dedebit 1-1 Jimma Aba Bunna
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
15:00 – Fasil Ketema vs. Woldia SC (Addis Ababa Stadium)
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
15:00 – Adama Ketema vs. Kidus Giorgis (Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium)
15:00 – Mekelakeya vs. Hawassa Ketema (Addis Ababa Stadium)
15:00 – ArbaMinch Ketema vs. Ethio-Electric (ArbaMinch Stadium)
Thursday, March 30, 2017
15:00 -Sidama Bunna vs. Ethiopia Bunna (Hawassa International Stadium)
