The Ethiopian Premier League Week 23 fixtures were played across the country as title contenders drop valuable points. Hawassa Ketema stunned Sidama Bunna on Roduuwa Derby while Dedebit could only manage to pick a single point against Ethiopia Nigd Bank. Fasil Ketema, Woldia and Dire Dawa Ketema were also emerged victorious during the midweek league matches.
Ethio-Electric 0-1 Fasil Ketema
Fasil Ketema continued on their unbeaten run in Addis Ababa with a 1-0 win over Ethio-Electric in the early fixture. Mulualem Tilahun came very close to hand Electric the lead but his the Emperors defense denied him in the 10th minute. Ten minutes later Fasil’s left back Amesalu Tilahun terrorized Electric’s backline with a brilliant solo run from his own half as his effort saved by Abou Soulimana. The Gonder side broke the deadlock after the resumption through Togolese forward Edem Horousovi to collect a much needed three points away from home. Edem headed home from Henok Gemetessa’s perfect set piece delivery. Fasil Ketema are now 6th, five adrift of leaders Dedebit. Ethio-Electric are tabled at 11th with 27 points.
ArbaMinch Ketema 0-2 Dire Dawa Ketema
Dire Dawa Ketema shocked ArbaMinch Ketema 2-0 in ArbaMinch as they march on to safety. The Crocodiles lost their previous home game and were eager to bounce back. Nonetheless, they were outwitted by the Easterners. Dire Dawa dominated the proceedings while Yosef Damuye, on loan from Ethiopia Bunna, struck from outside the box to put the visitors ahead. Bereket Yisak doubled the advantage 7 minutes before time when Jackson Fita’s howler gifted the ex Hawassa striker a goal. Dire Dawa’s recent resurgence saw them 10th in the league table with 28 points. ArbaMinch Ketema sits 9th with 29 points.
Woldia 1-0 Wolaitta Dicha
Woldia maintain their 100% unbeaten record at the Mohammed Hussien Ali Al-Amoudi Stadium with a slander victory over strugglers Wolaitta Dicha. Both sides enjoyed a large support but it was the visitors who to took the initiation to attack in the duel. Temesgen Duba, Bezabeh Melyo and Dagim Bekele tested Emirekale Bilinge even though the efforts were futile. Second half substitute Habtamu Shewalem struck the lone and decisive goal in the 85th minute after collecting a pass from Chala Driba. Woldia are 8th with 30 points. The Sodo side, Wolaitta Dicha, further dropped to the relegation point to 14th after collecting 23 points.
Hawassa Ketema 3-2 Sidama Bunna
This has been inarguably the biggest clash of the day. Hawassa Ketema came out on top of the Roduuwa Derby by beating league title aspirants Sidama Bunna 3-2 at home. Hawassa started off brightly and only took them two minutes to strike their first goal. The inform Togolese striker Arafat Djako found the back of the net from Yohannis Segebo’s delivery before Firew Solomon headed home to give Hawassa a two goals cushion in the first interval. Addis Gidey pulled one back in the 56th minute before leveling matter in the 80th minute as he bagged a brace. Nevertheless, Hawassa retook the lead two minutes later when Tafese Solomon rounded Sidama goalie Lealem Birhanu for the winner. The game was halted for 8 minutes due to projectiles were thrown to the pitch. Sidama Bunna remains 3rd with 39 points. The remarkable Hawassa Ketema climbed up to 7th with 31 points.
Jimma Aba Bunna 1-1 Adama Ketema
Adama Ketema missed out on a chance to close on at the top after surrendering an early lead to Jimma Aba Bunna in Jimma. Adama looked the better side at first having the upper hand in attempts on goal. Dawa Hotessa and Bulcha Shura were the troublemakers for the away side as the former struck four minutes following the half hour mark to put Adama ahead. The homers pressed to get an equalizer in the second interval. Mohammed Nasser failed to convert two glorious goal scoring opportunities while at the opposite end Micheal George and winger Surafel Dagnachew squandered chances. Aba Bunna ultimately got the equalizer in the 87th minute as Bedelu Merede scored from a rebound to spark a wild celebration at Jimma Stadium. Adama are 4th with 36 points whilst Jimma Aba Bunna occupies 12th with 24 points.
Ethiopia Nigd Bank 0-0 Dedebit
Relegation battlers Ethiopia Nigd Bank hold Dedebit to a barren draw in Addis Ababa Stadium. Dedebit was the better side but failed to get a winning goal against a much changed Nigd Bank side. Roben Obama, Asrat Megressa and Getaneh Kebede came very close to the Blues, who are celebrating their 20th year anniversary. Gabriel Ahmed was unlucky to see his long range powerful drive sailing wide as stroke of half time. Nigd Bank goalie Emmanuel Fevour pulled off two superb saves from Dawit Fikadu and Getaneh’s efforts. Meanwhile, Fikadu Deneke denied Dedebit a crucial goal in the 77th minute with his goalline clearance. Peter Nuwadke was the culprit for missing to opportunities. Peter saw his goal bound shot saved by Clement Azonto. Dedebit tops the log table with 40 points. Ethiopia Nigd Bank remains 15th with 20 points.
Remaining Week 23 Fixtures
Friday, April 14, 2017
16:00 – Addis Ababa Ketema vs. Mekelakeya (Addis Ababa Stadium)
Saturday, April 15, 2017
16:00 – Kidus Giorgis vs. Ethiopia Bunna (Addis Ababa Stadium)
