A Salahdin Said’s second half strike saw Kidus Giorgis maintain their lead at the top as Dedebit beat Fasil Ketema 2-1. Adama Ketema and Ethiopia Bunna dropped valuable points in the title chase.
Jimma Aba Bunna 0-1 Kidus Giorgis
Ten man Kidus Giorgis pip Jimma Aba Bunna 1-0 to notch an important victory in their title chase. The favorites for a league title, Giorgis, were outplayed by the homers but their game winning experience got them maximum points. Ugandan goalie Robert Odongkara pulled off a save from Ame Mohammed’s early effort while Adane Girma tested Jemal Tassew in the other end during the first interval. Aba Bunna’s total domination continued throughout the second half. The Horsemen were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Tesaye Alebachew saw a straight red for elbowing Kidane Assefa. Nonetheless, Salahdin, Giorgis’s top scorer, has pinched a goal virtually out of nowhere when he heads home in the 56th minute. The home side failed to hit back after unsuccessful goal attempts from Bedlu Merede, Krizistom Ntambi and Henok Kassahun. Salahdin has also missed absolute sitters on the other end. The result leaves at the top and four points ahead of Dedebit while Jimma Aba Bunna must fight relegation in their maiden season having collected 28 points to occupy 13th.
Dedebit 2-1 Fasil Ketema
Goals in each half from Getaneh Kebede gave Dedebit a league double over Fasil Ketema in Addis Ababa. Fasil players flaunted a banner in memory of the late Ethiopia Bunna avid supporters Zenebe Belay and Biniyam Mitiku, who passes on in recent weeks. The first 15 minutes saw both sides taking the initiation to attack but it was Dedebit who took the lead through talisman Getaneh. Getaneh’s header from a Birhanu Bogale cross found the back of the net in the 41st minute. The Emperors hit back after the resumption when Togolese Edem Horosouvi with a rebound following Tarike Getnet denied his initial effort. A defense splitting pass from Ephrem Ashamo found Getaneh who made no mistake to complete his brace 11 minutes before time. Getaneh has got 21 league goals in his bag as he leads the goal scoring chart. Dedebit jumped to second with 48 points while Fasil Ketema are 6th with 38 points.
Ethio-Electric 1-1 Ethiopia Bunna
Ethiopia Bunna came from behind to force a one all draw against Ethio-Electric infront of a packed Addis Ababa Stadium. The game saw a one minute moment of silence for the demised Ethiopia Bunna supporter Zenede Belay. Electric were the better side of the two in the first 45 as they broke the deadlock through ex Bunna striker Tekelu Tesfaye who headed home a Dawit Estifanos delivery in the 27th minute. Nigerian import Samuel Sanumi scored against his fomer employers as he put Bunna on level terms with a header moments after the resumption. Sanumi could have sealed the game later on; however his effort struck the cross-bar infront of the goalmouth. The result leaves Ethiopia Bunna fourth with 44 points whilst Ethio-Electric are 11th, a point above the drop zone.
Hawassa Ketema 2-1 Woldia SC
Hawassa Ketema return to winning ways after three losses in row with a 2-1 wins over Woldia. Firew Solomon fired past Emkreal Bilinge as Hawassa went ahead 9 minutes after the onset. The homers dominated the first half although they squandered multiple chances. The second half saw a hotly contested duel but still the home side were the dominant one. Togolese Arafat Djako doubled the advantage at the hour mark after controlling a cross from Gadissa Mebrate. Nevertheless, Woldia halved the deficeit barely two minutes later when veteran striker Andulame Nigguse struck outside of the box to pull one back. The result leaves Hawassa 8th with 34 points while Woldia slipped to 9th with 33 points.
ArbaMinch Ketema 0-0 Adama Ketema
Strugglers ArbaMinch Ketema and title aspirants Adama Ketema have to settle for a barren draw. The Crocodiles dominated the opening minutes. Adama’s goalie Jacob Penzea received his marching order for blatantly hitting Temesgen Kasstro in the half hour mark. But the Togolese keeper protested the decision and took 12 minutes to get him out of the pitch. With the numerical advantage the homers played a more offensive football while Adama Ketema opted to sit back and defend the score line. The result leaves Adama fifth with 44 points. ArbaMinch Ketema, who could only manage to win ones in the second round, occupies 10th with 32 points.
Monday, May 8, 2017
16:00 – Addis Ababa Ketema vs. Wolaitta Dicha (Addis Ababa Stadium)
