Week 24 games of the topflight league were played out in stadiums across the country on Monday, May 28 and Tuesday, May 29 as Mekele Ketema overrun Jimma Aba Jifar to take the top spot.
ArbaMinch Ketema 5-0 Woldia SC
The Crocodiles registered their biggest win in their Ethiopian Premier League history as they hammered Woldia 5-0 at home. Temesgen Castro bagged a hat-trick while Alelegn Azene and ex Adama Ketema forward Bereket Addisu added the other two goals. Woldia are in their 10 matches’ winless streak. Newly appointed head trainer Zelalem Shiferaw lamented on his charges for their lack of competitive spirit.
Sidama Bunna 1-0 Adama Ketema
A second half penalty from Addis Gidey handed Sidama Bunna a slender win over Adama Ketema in Yiregalem. Sidama were the better side throughout the game while Adama deployed a more defensive tactic. Addis successfully converted a spot kick in the 73rd minute as Sidama Bunna collected maximum points. The defeat leaves Adama Ketema in limbo as title hopes are fading away after two losses in a row.
Wolwalo Adigrat University 1-1 Jimma Aba Jifar
Jimma Aba Jifar surrendered their lead after being on the driver seat for several weeks. Wolwalo hold Jimma to a one all draw in Adigrat. Jimma took the lead through inspirational forward Okikiola Afolabi in the 19th minute. Nevertheless, Walelegn Gebre put his side on level terms 15 minutes before full time. The Gebremedhin Haile charges dropped valuable four points in their last two league encounters.
Ethio-Electric 0-0 Wolaitta Dicha
Wolaitta Dicha’s unimpressive form following their CAF Total Confederation Cup exit continues as they are yet to collect maximum points in their last four games. The Bees of Tona and Electric played out a barren draw in Addis Ababa. Ethio-Electric’s ineffectiveness in their attacking proficiency let them down not to get goals during the duel.
Mekele Ketema 1-0 Hawassa Ketema
In stiffly contested encounter Hawassa Ketema fall 1-0 to Mekele Ketema. Ghanaian striker Fusieni Nuhu fired past between the legs of Hawassa’s Togolese goalie Mensah Shouhou minutes after the resumption to grab the winner. Amanuel Gebremikael spurred a glaorious chance to hand Mekele a 2 goals cushion while Mulualem Regassa rattled the bar with a wonderfully taken free kick. The win gives Mekele Ketema to the top spot at the summit of the league.
Mekelakeya 1-1 Kidus Giorgis
Old foes Mekelakeya and Kidus Giorgis settled for a 1-1 draw in Addis Ababa. The game between the two oldest clubs in Ethiopia usually draws attention as the 11 times Ethiopian champions Mekelakeya broke the deadlock barely after the kick off when the pacy winger Maraki Worku found the back of the net. Both sides went a man down at the stroke of half time as veteran Adane Girma and center back Addis Tesfaye saw a straight red card. The Horsemen equalized through Cape Verdean Osvaldo Tavares in the 62nd minute. The Army side were forced to wrap up the game having been reduced to 9 men after Dawit Estifanos saw a marching order.
Fasil Ketema 0-0 Dire Dawa Ketema
A dominant display from the Emperors failed to break the tight defensive organization of Dire Dawa Ketema as both sides played out a goalless draw in Gondar. The game was postponed to Tuesday after a torrential rain left the Fasiledes Stadium with a waterlogged pitch. Fasil were hoping to bounce back after dropping points in their last couple of games. The Easterners seemingly are happy with the shared point as they set eye of league safety.
Ethiopia Bunna 2-2 Dedebit
Goals galore in Addis Ababa Stadium as Ethiopia Bunna rallied from behind to share spoils with Dedebit. The Blues took the lead 9 minutes into the game through veteran defender Seyoum Tesfaye. Ethiopia Bunna got the leveler at the blink of half time when Samuel Sanumi converted a penalty kick. Getaneh Kebede rounded Bunna goalie Hariston Hessou to put Dedebit on the lead in the 70th minute before second half substitute Kalkian Zelalem strike’s to rescue a point for Ethiopia Bunna who have been far better than their opponents. The Blue’s Ghanaian center Back Kweku Andoh was shown a straight red card for a foul on Abubakher Nessro in the 79th minute.
Mekele Ketema tops the log standing with 42 points as Jimma Aba Jifar and reigning champions Kidus Giorgis are second and third with 41 points. Ethiopia Bunna are four with 37 points. Ethio-Electric, Wolwalo Adigrat University and Woldia SC are in the relegation zone.
Top Goalscorers
Okikiola Afolabi (Jimma Aba Jifar) – 15
Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit) – 11
Kalusha Alhassan (Ethio-Electric) – 10
Dawa Hotessa (Adama Ketema) – 9
Samuel Sanumi (Ethiopia Bunna) – 9
Addis Gidey (Sidama Bunna) – 9
