League leaders Jimma Aba Jifar and Ethiopia Bunna played out a goalless draw in round 22 of the Ethiopian Premier League while Fasil Ketema and Adama Ketema missed out on a chance to close the gap at the top teams. Mekele Ketema registered victory to occupy second place. Sidama Bunna and Ethio-Electric have also won their respective ties. ArbaMinch Ketema inficlted another heavy loss on reigning champions Kidus Giorgis, the record Ethiopian champion’s third league loss in four outings down in South Ethiopia this season.
Fasil Ketema 0-0 Adama Ketema
The Emperors failed to break on a strong Adama Ketema backline as the two sides shared spoils in Gondar. Fasil came to the encounter on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Wolaitta Dicha while Adama beat Dire Dawa a week ago in the previous round. Given the two clubs are in contention for the title the draw could not have made them close some gaps at the top.
Sidama Bunna 1-0 Dedebit
Sidama Bunna brush the one time Ethiopian champions Dedebit aside 1-0 in Yirgalem. Zereaye Mulu’s charges recorded a second win at home. Wendemeneh Aynalem scored the solitary goal at the stroke of half time with an effort from the edge of the book. The Blues made unsuccessful attempt to get back to the game in the second half but the homers were on fine shape to keep them at bay.
Dire Dawa Ketema 1-1 Hawassa Ketema
Dire Dawa Ketema rallied from behind to force a one all draw against Hawassa Ketema in Dire Dawa. The visitors dominated the proceeding in the first interval. Israel Eshetu, who was making a return to Hawassa after being on duty at the national youth side, puts Hawassa Ketema the lead in the 16th minute. The home side was the better of the two in the second half as Ghanaian Kwame Atram struck to draw the pair level. Atram went on to miss a decisive spot kick with five minutes remaining.
Ethio-Electric 1-0 Woldia SC
Ethio-Electric pip Woldia in a relegation dogfight. It was a dull affair in the Addis Ababa as Electric won the duel courtesy of Tafese Tesfaye’s strike. The veteran forward Tefese turned in a perfect delivery by Sintayehu in the 36th minute. Biyadegelegn Elias came the closest to pull his side on level terms but his header in the stoppage time flashed inches wide of the post. Electric managed to get back to winning ways after a 4-0 thumping by leaders Jimma Aba Jifar in round 21.
Mekele Ketema 2-0 Wolaitta Dicha
Wolaitta Dicha failed to consolidate their impressive 3-0 win over Fasil Ketema as they fall to Mekele Ketema. The two Ghanaian imports Achempong Amos and Fuseini Nuhu struck the winning goals for Mekele Ketema. Amos opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Nuhu doubled the advantage in the second interval. With the convincing win Mekele Ketema are second in the log table.
Ethiopia Bunna 0-0 Jimma Aba Jifar
In the much anticipated game of the week, a wasteful Ethiopia Bunna side shared spoils with league leaders Jimma Aba Jifar. It was an even game in the first while Ethiopia Bunna was the dominant force in the second 45. Mikias Mekonnen tested Jimma custodian Daniel Ajeyi midway through to the first half for the tie’s dangerous scoring chance. The visitors were out of option in the final attacking third as the homers find it difficult to penetrate the opposition back line.
ArbaMinch Ketema 3-0 Kidus Giorgis
Days after sacking head coach Eyob Maale ArbaMinch Ketema recorded their biggest league win over giants Kidus Giorgis. Three first half goals sealed a memorable win for the Crocodiles over the Horsemen. Midfielder Amanuel Gobena opened the scoring minute after the onset. Tsegaye Abera doubles the lead in the 36th minute before ex Sidama Bunna attacking midfielder Endale Kebede added a third at stroke of half time from the spot. Kidus Giorgis couldn’t get back to the game by overturning the 3-0 goals cushion from the first 45 as they lost an opportunity in closing the gap on leaders Jimma Aba Jifar.
Mekelakeya 2-1 Wolwalo Adigrat University * Game aborted in the second half
The game between Mekelakeya and Wolwalo Adigrat University ended in an embarrassing condition as match official Eyasu Fente got beaten by the visitors team leader Maru and other players in the 84th minute. Ghanaian import Richmond Adongo gave Wolwalo the lead in the 22nd minute but it was cancelled by a Minyelu Wendimu leveler from the spot in the first interval. Fistum Gebremariam struck a second goal for the army side four minutes before time but the game elapsed in unfavorable incident occurring. An assault on the match official Eyasu triggered the tie to get aborted. It is for the second time in this half season when a match official publicly got beaten and assaulted in the topflight league.
