Jimma, Mekelakeya, Dicha on Major Wins

In the Ethiopian Premier League round 21 fixtures league leaders Jimma Aba Jifar continued to surge at the top while Mekelakeya caused an upset in Hawassa. Wolaitta Dicha, Adama Ketema, Mekele Ketema and Sidama Bunna picked up important victories in week 21 fixtures of the topflight league.

Dedebit 1-2 Mekele Ketema

Dedebit’s recent worst form persists as they fall to Mekele Ketema 2-1 in Addis Ababa on Saturday, April 21. The Blues only won ones since the second half of the season kicked off as they surrender the top spot to newcomers Jimma Aba Jifar after week 20 matches. Mekele took the lead through Mikael Desta in the 25th minute. Amanuel Gebremikael doubled the advantage from the spot three minutes before full time while Asrat Megeressa halved the deficit in the 89th minute.

Jimma Aba Jifar 4-0 Ethio-Electric

Jimma Aba Jifar are unstoppable at the moment as they trounced relegation battlers Ethio-Electric 4-0 in emphatic fashion. Samson Kolecha opened the scoring 12 minutes into the game. Nigerian import Okikiola Afolabi doubled the lead at stroke of half time through a penalty kick. Temesgen Gebrekidane and the on fire Afolabi added two goals after the resumption to put the game to bed and ensure Aba Jifar’s lead at the summit. The newly promoted side is having quite a good run in their maiden league season.

Hawassa Ketema 0-4 Mekelakeya

Mekelakeya under new boss Seyoum Kebede recorded their biggest away win of the season as the army side hammered Hawassa Ketema 4-0 in Hawassa. The result is shocking to Ethiopian Premier League faithful’s since Hawassa Ketema are one of the few sides in the topflight that oftentimes are tough to win away. Fitsum Gebremariam put Mekelakeya ahead in the 23rd minute whilst Abel Kebede gave the Army side a two goals cushion 5 minutes later. Hawassa were a man down after Fikreyesus Tweldebirhane saw a second yellow for diving following the resumption. Fistum, who happened to be making his second start for Mekelakeya, completed his hat-trick in the second interval.

Woldia SC 1-2 Sidama Bunna

Two early goals in each half gave Sidama Bunna the edge over Woldia SC in a game played out at Sebeta. Sidama took an early lead through Fistum Teferi in the 14th minute. Wendemeneh Aynalem struck the second for the Yirgalem club in the second half before former Dire Dawa Ketema forward Belay Abayneh pulled one back for Woldia in the 58th minute. The homers effort to level matters went on the drain but was very close to get a last gasp equalizer through veteran Birhane Anleye. Woldia fans and head trainer Haymanot Girma lamented on the two disallowed goals of Woldia.

Adama Ketema 1-0 Dire Dawa Ketema

Adama Ketema went 30 successive games without a defeat at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Adama. Adama pip Dire Dawa Ketema 1-0 courtesy goal from former Ethiopian international Addis Hintsa. Addis struck the solitary goal on the Easterners in the 22nd minute. Adama Ketema lost a home game in April 2016 to Addis Ababa outfit Ethiopia Bunna in April 2016. They went on to win 21 home league games and draw 9 times.

Wolaitta Dicha 3-0 Fasil Ketema

Wolaitta Dicha thumped Fasil Ketema 3-0 in week 21 league duel played at Sebeta. Fasil coach Mesay Teferi played against his former employer as Ethiopian U-20 international Eyob Alemayehu bagged his first ever hat-trick. Eyob fired home in the 20th minute as the Bees of Tona took the lead. He struck the second 3 minutes before the first interval while the Emperors had no answer to the two goals for the reminder of the game. Eyob completed his first ever hat-trick in the dying moments of the game.

Jimma Aba Jifar tops the league with 38 points. Five ahead of second placed Dedebit. Mekele Ketema, Ethiopia Bunna, Adama Ketema and Fasil Ketema follow with 32 point. Reigning champions Kidus Giorgis are seventh with 30 points. Dire Dawa Ketema, Ethio-Electric and Wolwalo Adigrat University are dangling in the drop zone.