Round 23 of the top flight league matches were played out across the country on Wednesday, the 23rd of May. League Leaders Jimma Aba Jifar dropped valuable points at home while Kidus Giorgis, Mekele Ketema and Ethiopia Bunna recorded important victories.
Jimma Aba Jifar 0-0 ArbaMinch Ketema
Table toppers Jimma Aba Jifar and strugglers ArbaMinch Ketema played out a goalless draw in Jimma. The Crocodiles failed to pick up points in their last four away games which saw them dangle in the relegation zone. That prompted the club board to sack head trainer Eyob Maale. Tsion Merede is the hero of the day as he saved a spot kick from Nigerian striker Okikiola Afolabi in the dying moments of the game to keep the score line intact.
Woldia SC 0-3 Ethiopia Bunna
Ethiopia Bunna hammered Woldia 3-0 in Sebeta to be in contention for the title race. Abubakher Nessero gave Bunna the lead 11 minutes into the tie. Nigerian striker Samuel Sanumi doubled the lead 10 minutes following the resumption. Ghanaian center back Adamu Mohammed scored an own goal as the Addis Ababa outfit record a resounding victory over the rock bottom side Woldia.
Kidus Giorgis 1-0 Wolwalo Adigrat University
Defending champions Kidus Giorgis grabbed a slender win over relegation battlers Wolwalo Adigrat University in Addis Ababa. Ame Mohammed’s lone strike in the first interval was enough to hand the Horesmen an important win as they closed the gap on league leaders Jimma Aba Jifar. The Ethiopian giants are gunning for their fifth league title on the bounce however they are facing stiff competition from Mekele Ketema, Jimma Aba Jifar, Adama Ketema and cross city rivals Ethiopia Bunna.
Adama Ketema 0-2 Mekele Ketema
Newly promoted side Mekele Ketema ended Adama Ketema’s 31 home game unbeaten run as they condemned them to an impressive 2-0 win. Yared Kebede put Mekele ahead in the 26th minute through a header while Amanuel GebreMikael made it 2-0 six minutes before full time. Adama Ketema last lost a home league encounter at Abebe Bikila Stadium two years ago in April 2016 to Ethiopia Bunna. Since then they went on 31 matches without a defeat.
Wolaitta Dicha 2-2 Sidama Bunna
Wolaitta Dicha rallied from behind to force a two all draw against Sidama Bunna in South Ethiopia derby game played out at Sodo. Addis Gidey broke the deadlock four minutes after the second interval resumed. Ex ArbaMinch Ketema midfielder Tiretaye Demeke gave the Yirgalem based club a 2-0 cushion in the 79th minute. In a surprising twist of things the Bees of Tona turn around the score to salvage a point at home. Bezabeh Meleyo struck twice in space of three minutes as the tie elapsed 2-2.
Dire Dawa Ketema 1-0 Mekelakeya
Dire Dawa Ketema continues on their fine home form as they pip Mekelakeya 1-0. Habtamu Wolde bagged the solitary goal as he fired past the Army side in the 13th minute. It is for the first time in 9 years as the Easterns win maximum points over 11 times Ethiopian champions Mekelakeya.
Hawassa Ketema 2-0 Fasil Ketema
Hawassa Ketema scored twice in the second half to defeat out of form Fasil Ketema 2-0. Ghanaian defender Lawrence Lartey strike to give Hawassa the lead in the 62nd minute before left back Desta Yohannis put the game to bed in 80th minute. The Emperors lost five of their last six away league outings while in the contrary Hawassa won 5 of their 6 home games.
Dedebit 3-4 Ethio-Electric
It was a goal fest in Addis Ababa Stadium as relegation threatened Ethio-Electric win a seven goals thriller. The Blues welcome back head trainer Nigusse Desta but their hope for title is going in the drain after successive losses. Ghanaian import Kalusha Alhassan broke the deadlock in the 26th minute but Abel Yalew and Abel Endale scored as the Blues leads at the break. Two quick goals from Alhassan and team captain Addis Negash turned the score around in favor of Electric; nevertheless Getaneh Kebede equalized in the 70th minute. Four minutes later Behailu Teshager puts Electric to the lead again. Ethio-Electric beats Dedebit for the first time since 2016.
Jimma Aba Jifar tops the standing with 40 points, Kidus Giorgis are second with the same point tally but inferior goal difference. Mekele Ketema are third with 39 points as Ethiopia Bunna and Adama Ketema occupay fouth and fifth four points adrift of the table toppers. ArbaMinch Ketema, Wolwalo Adigrat University and Woldia SC are the in the drop zone.
Full Week 23 Results
Kidus Giorgis 1-0 Wolwalo Adigrat University
Hawassa Ketema 2-0 Fasil Ketema
Dedebit 3-4 Ethio-Electric
Wolaitta Dicha 2-2 Sidama Bunna
Woldia SC 0-3 Ethiopia Bunna
Adama Ketema 0-2 Mekele Ketema
Dire Dawa Ketema 1-0 Mekelakeya
Jimma Aba Jifar 0-0 ArbaMinch Ketema
Standing
Top Goal Scorers
14 Okikiola Afolabi (Jimma Aba Jifar)
10 Alhassan Kalusha (Ethio Electric)
10 Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit)
9 Dawa Hottesa (Adama Ketema)
8 Addis Gidey (Sidama Bunna)
8 Amanuel Gebremichael (Mekele Ketema)
8 Samuel Sanumi (Ethiopia Bunna)
