Dedebit surrenders their top spot to newcomers Jimma Aba Jifar while Ethiopia Bunna, Fasil Ketema, Hawassa Ketema registered an important victory in the race for the title. Woldia managed to hold Mekele Ketema in Addis Ababa. Late goals, jubilations and another stadium violence which is now becoming a custom in the top flight were the highlights of the round 20 of the Ethiopian Premier League.
Mekelakeya 1-0 ArbaMinch Ketema
In a relegation dogfight, the army side recorded their second win under head trainer Seyoum Kebede. Mekelakeya swept aside ArbaMinch Ketema courtesy goal from new signing Fistum Gebremariam. Fistum struck the winner at the end of the stoppage time to hand the Crocodiles yet again a disappointing away defeat following a surprising 2-0 win over Ethiopia Bunna on week 20 encounter.
Ethiopia Bunna 2-1 Wolwalo Adigart University
Ethiopia Bunna bounced back from last week loss in style as they pip Wolwalo Adigrat University. Wolwalo took the lead in at the start of the second interval when ex Ethio-Electric defender Bereket Tessema struck from close range. Ethiopia Bunna rallied from behind to collect maximum points having a man sent off. Second half substitutes Asechalew Girma and Senegalese Baptiste Faye late strike sealed the win for Bunna who are pushing for their second league title in 21 years.
Sidama Bunna 1-3 Jimma Aba Jifar
Jimma Aba Jifar has become the surprise package of the 2017/18 league season. The Gebremedhin Haile charges stunned Sidama Bunna 3-1 in Yirgalem. Malian defender Adama Sissoko headed home a corner kick in the 28th minute before inform Nigerian forward Okikiola Afolabi calmly slotted home the second inside the area 10 minutes later. Former Dedebit midfielder Henok Esayas nodded the third goal for the South Western Ethiopian outfit as fans in the stadium began to throw objects. The encounter was halted for 9 minutes but continued after security forces contained the situation. Sidama Bunna pulled one back through Yigezu Bogale 13 minutes from time.
Mekele Ketema 0-0 Woldia SC
Mekele Ketema and Woldia played out a goalless draw in Addis Ababa. Woldia came this game after a heavy fine was passed on the club by the Disciplinary Committee of EFF. Head trainer Zemariam Woldegiorgis left the club as Woldia secured a point after a defeat to Fasil Ketema in Amhara Derby game in the last round
Fasil Ketema 1-0 Dedebit
The Emperors for the first time beat Dedebit in Gondar. Fasil under new coach Mesay Teferi recorded back to back wins. Nigerian striker Philip Dazui scored the solitary goal of the game in the 40th minute. The former Ethio-Electric and Ethiopia Nigga Bank waited for many rounds to bag his second league goal. The Blues poor form in the last 7 games saw them drop many points.
Hawassa Ketema 2-1 Adama Ketema
First-half goals from Addisalem Tesfaye and Dawit Fikadu scored the winning goals as Hawassa Ketema edged Adama Ketema in Hawassa. Defender Addisalem struck a well-taken free-kick four minutes into the game. Dawit headed home a Desta Yohannis cross in the 27th minute. Adama were a man down in the 76th minute when Sisay Toli received his marching order. Two minutes later Congolese Adama goalie Jacob Penze rushed to hospital following an injury sustained while in aerial duel. Since Adama made all changes Mujib Kassim became a goalie for the remainder of the game. Canaan Markneh pulled one back in the stoppage time through a neat Finnish.
Jimma Aba Jifar tops the league with 35 points while Dedebit follows 33 points. Ethiopia Bunna and Fasil Ketema are third and fourth with the same 32 points. Dire Dawa Ketema, Ethio-Electric, and Wolwalo Adigrat University are in the drop zone.
