The Ethiopian Premier League resumed on Monday, May 14 with two outstanding round 18 games played out in Adama and Addis Ababa.
Adama Ketema and Kidus Giorgis recorded important wins to close the gap on leaders Jimma Aba Jifar.
Adama Ketema condemned Wolaitta Dicha to a slender 1-0 win at Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium. Canaan Markneh struck early as Adama continued on their amazing run at home stretching to 31 games without a loss. Canaan grabbed the winner with a header that left Nigerian Dicha’s goalier Emmanuel Fevor glued to his post. The Bees of Tona were the better side of the two for the reminder of the encounter but came short of breaking the home side’s backline.
Kidus Giorgis made a big stride on the race for the title after beating relegation battlers Ethio-Electric 2-1 in Addis Ababa. Ethio-Electric continue their dismal run of form which has seen them lose 8 games in the capital. Ghanaian Richard Appiah gave the Horsemen the lead 6 minutes from the onset. But it was the homers who had been the dominant force. Kidus Giorgis managed to test Electric though swift counter attacks. Following the resumption Ivorian winger Didier Lebri cut from the right flank and fired past Ugandan goalie Robert Odongkara to restore parity.
Tafesse Tesfaye almost completed a memorable comeback but missed on a one on one situation against Odongkara Nonetheless, Kidus Giorgis retook the lead through Malian striker Amara Malle who slotted home from close range. The defending champions were a man down in the 88th minute after Abubakher Sanni saw his marching ordered for bringing down Lebri at edge on the box.
The win leaves Kidus Giorgis and Adama Ketema second and third with the same 36 points. Wolaitta Dicha occupies 10th place with 27 points while Ethio-Electric are 13th one point clear of the drop zone with 21 points.
Kidus Giorgis and Wolaitta Dicha will play their remaining fixtures on Friday, May 18. Mekele Ketema hosts Kidus Giorgis while Dire Dawa Ketema and Wolaitta Dicha lock horns in Dire Dawa.
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