Ethiopian torch bearers Wolaitta Dicha have caused a huge upset when they defeat one of African club football powerhouse Zamalek 2-1 in a game played out at Hawassa International Stadium. Close to 60 thousand spectators entered the Stadium when the Bees of Tona triumphed over the White Knight on what it turns out to be a historic day.
Yared Dawit struck the winning goal 13 minutes before time as Wolaitta Dicha takes a slander lead ahead of the second leg in Suez. The home side started off the duel on a high note but it was Zamalke who went close to take the lead. Congolese striker Kabongo Kasongo failed to reach on a good delivery from Ahmed Fttoh in the 4th minute. Although Wolaitta Dicha possessed the ball and sought to penetrate through a short pass approach, it was futile in creating chance for the first 15 minutes. Bezabeh Meleyo broke the deadlock 16 minutes after kick off when his superb volley found the back of the net to send the boisterous home crowd into a total frenzy. Bezabeh directly sent a strong volley on goal to score after a pass from Yared Dawit found him. Four minutes later Togolese import Arafat Djako set up Abdulsemed Ali but the later spurred a good scoring opportunity. Zamalek restored parity in the 36th minute through Emad Fathy. Fathy capitalizes on a Teklu Tafesse back pass to round goalie Wendwosen Gremew to level matters before the break. Kasongo and Zelalem Esayas squandered at both end before the clubs head for break.
After the resumption, Wolaitta Dicha pilled on the pressure in search of a winning goal while Zamalek were cautious in their defending. Djako headed wide from a Tesfu Elias cross in the 49th minute. In the 56th minute Teklu’s howler gifted Nigerian midfielder Maarouf Youssef to give Zamalek the lead but Webeshet Alemayehu stood firm to clear the ball away. Mamoud Alaa El-Din almost struck the second for the White Knights with an acrobatic effort 15 minutes before time. Two minutes later Bezabeh set up Yared for Wolaitta Dicha’s second goal.
Wolaitta Dicha just become the third Ethiopian side to beat Zamalek as Mider Tore (Mekelakeya) and Ethiopia Bunna the first two outfit to achieve the fit in home soil; although Mider Tore and Ethiopia Bunna failed to progress to the next round by knocking Zamalek out. Wolaitta Dicha will be hoping to change the story when they face the same opponent in a week time.
