In the opening week 14 fixture, Ethiopia Bunna came from behind to defeat Fasil Ketema 3-2 in a five goals thriller at the Addis Ababa Stadium. The duel attracted huge crowd to the oldest Ethiopian ground as second half substitute Abubakher Nessero sealed the win.
Fasil Ketema started off the tie in a good way as their first attempt on goal was successful. Team captain Henok Gemetesa sent a superb through ball for Ermias Hailu to slot home from close range barely after two minutes from the onset. The homers restored parity six minutes later when Nigerian import Samuel Sanumi struck inside the area following Kedir Heyredin’s defensive blunder.
In the 14th minute the Gonder side yet again retook their lead on the same way they had the first. Mohammed Nasser, who happened to be handed his first starting berth this season, fired past Bunna’s Beninese custodian Hariston Hessou. Elias Mamo equalized in the 31st minute from a beautifully taken free kick.
Four goals were scored in space of half hour before Fasil Ketema reduced to 10 man in the 33 minute when Ramkel Lok shown a red card for an elbow on Asnake Moges. Minutes later Hessou came out of the penalty box to deny the on rushing Ermias Hailu from scoring. Fasil players protested to the match official that Hessou handled the ball outside the box and filed a complaint. A penalty appeal from Sanumi was also turned down.
With the numerical advantage they had the home side persisted on possessing the ball although the away side put up a spirited performance. Even though Fasil were a man down, they continued to push forward in search of a winning goal. Mohammed should have down better 11 minutes after the resumptions but his effort sailed wide. At the hour mark Abubakher struck the winner by connecting Asanke’s delivery where Kedir failed to clear out for safety. Malian goalie Mikael Samaki could not done anything as the former Ethiopian U-17 international scored his first goal of the season.
In the last 20 minutes Ethiopia Bunna shifted to a defensive approach to protect their slander lead and were successful to collect maximum points.
Ethiopia Bunna sits 7th with 18 points and a game on hand whilst Fasil Ketema occupies 6th with 19 points.
