In a rescheduled week 1 encounter of the topflight league Ethiopia Bunna were held at home by Sidama Bunna in Addis Ababa on Thursday, November 23. A spectacular solo run and goal from Addis Gidey, a red car and the home crowd fury against the match referee were highlights of the game.
Sidama Bunna came to the duel having five changes from the team that played out a barren draw against Welwalo last week while their opponents Ethiopia Bunna had only one change as team captain Mesude Mohammed returned to the starting line-up. Alemayehu Abayneh’s side opted to defend while trying to create scoring opportunities through swift counter attacks using Abduletif Mohammed, Baye Gezaghen and Addis Gidey who were spearheading the Yirgalem outfit upfront.
Fewer scoring chances were produced from both sides in the first interval. Mesude skied his effort at the start of the game while Hariston Hessuo was called to action the 8th minute to deny Addis’s low powerful drive from the edge of the box. Nigerian import Samuel Sanumi hit the side netting in the 20th minute after collecting a pass from Elias Mamo. The match official failed to book Sanumi and Sidama’s midfielder Tertaye Demeke in the 34th minute after the two players involved in heated altercation.
Seven minutes following the resumption Addis fired Sidama Bunna to a surprising lead. Ephrem Wendessen’s horrendous defending gifted Addis the time and space to beat Thomas Semertu and rounded Hariston to strike a very wonderful goal. The homers almost leveled matter minutes later but Sanumi missed a clear chance on a one on one situation against Sidama goalie Mesaye Ayano. Ethiopia Bunna piled on the pressure while Sidama opted to sit back and hit the home side on counters. In the 68th minute Elias equalized from the spot after Abebe Tilahun’s hand ball resulted in a penalty.
In 74th minute Sidama yet again had a chance to retake the lead but Addis failed to connect the ball when Baye squared off a perfect pass. A minute later second half substitute Bereket Yisak tried to chip Mesaye. Two minutes before time Tertaye was sent off after blatantly hitting Asnake Moges. Ethiopia Bunna fans opposed the match officials over the minutes added. A furious Ethiopia Bunna Serbian coach Kostadin Papic had reacted angrily and complained to the match commissioner over the minutes added. Ethiopia Bunna fans outrage continued to the point throwing coins and plastic water bottles to the match officials. They have also jeered the Ethiopian Football Federation and the current incumbent Juniedi Basha.
