FIFA World Cup
Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) president Isayas Jira has headed to Moscow, Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup games following the World Football governing body invitation to attend the closing ceremony. Mr. Isayas previously attended the FIFA Congress which was held in June at Moscow where the Federation he heads backed the failed Morocco bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
Ethiopian born French footballer Brook Sisay is among players who have got invitation from France President Emmanuel Macron to watch the Quarter Final tie between France and Uruguay on Friday at the Elysee Palace. Brook, 13, is a forward who plays for Athletic Club de Boulogne Billancourt. The striker told Soccer Ethiopia that he is elated to get such an opportunity.
Premier League
Sidama Bunna have registered an important win over Mekelakeya as they confirm their league status for another season. Addis Gidey’s second half strike was enough for the Yirgalem outfit to beat the Army side 1-0 at home. The result confirms Sidama Bunna’s stay at the topflight. Sidama Bunna occupies 7th with 38 points while Mekelakeya are 9th with 35 points. In an earlier fixture Dedebit and Woldia shared a goalless spoil in Sebeta.
Week 29 Results and Fixtures
Dedebit 0-0 Woldia SC
Sidama Bunna 1-0 Mekelakeya
47’ Addis Gidey
Saturday, July 7/2018
3:00 – Fasil Ketema vs. Ethiopia Bunna (Gondar)
3:00 – Wolaitta Dicha vs. Jimma Aba Jifar (Boditi Stadium)
3:00 – Mekele Ketema vs. Ethio-Electric (Tigray Stadium)
3:00 – Hawassa Ketema vs. Wolwalo Adigrat University (Hawassa Ketema Stadium)
3:00 – Adama Ketema vs. Kidus Giorgis (Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium)
3:00 – Dire Dawa Ketema vs. ArbaMinch Ketema (Dire Dawa Stadium)
Women First Division
Dedebit are on the verge of retaining their league title after a barren draw against title rivals Ethiopia Nigd Bank. The Blues have a three points lead over Nigd Bank as we enter to the last round games of the Ethiopian Women First Division. The higher goal difference coupled with Dedebit’s unbeaten form in the league puts Ethiopia Nigd Bank in a tight situation to claim the title. Ethio-Electric and Sidama Bunna are already relegated to the Second Division. Tiret Corporate, ArbaMinch Ketema, Addis Ababa Ketema and Tirunesh Dibaba Academy have secured promotion to the First Division. The First Division will be contested between 12 clubs for the 2018/19 season.
Week 18 Fixtures
2:00 – Dedebits vs. Gedio Dilla (Addis Ababa Stadium)
2:00 – Kidus Giorgis vs. Ethiopia Nigd Bank (Bank Ground)
3:00 – Sidama Bunna vs. Hawassa Ketema (Yiregalem)
3:00 – Dire Dawa Ketema vs. Ethio-Electric (Dire Dawa Stadium)
4:00 – Mekelakeya vs. Adama Ketema (Bank Ground)
Top Goal Scorers
17 – Loza Abera (Dedebit)
11 – Rehima Zerega (Ethiopia Nigd Bank)
9 – Sara Nebesso (Gedio Dilla)
9 – Bethlehem Seman (Kidus Giorgis)
Dedebit
Ethiopian topflight side Dedebit have barred Ephrem Ashamo from attending training. The midfielder was sent off in the 18 months when Jimma Aba Jifar trounced the Blues 3-0 in round 28 of the Premier League which was played at Adama. The club has labeled Ephrem’s action as unnecessary and indecent. Mikael Amdemeskel commented to Soccer Ethiopia that the player knowingly got a red card to put his side in a poor state.
Hawassa Ketema
The two times Ethiopian champions Hawassa Ketema have parted company with Mulualem Regassa and Mohammed Sylla. Veteran playmaker Mulualem came out of retirement to join Hawassa at the start of the season as he struck twice in the process. The Ivorian defender Sylla joined Hawassa a year and half ago from Sudanese side Al Ahli Shendi. The club has stated both players were underperforming in the last few rounds as they are released.
Ethiopian National Team
The Ethiopian national team job is not attracting many local and foreign coaches as it is expected close sources claim. The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) thus far got few applicants as the deadline day for submission of resume fast approaches. Fasil Ketema coach Mesay Teferi and former Kidus Giorgis Dutch trainer Mart Nooji is among the applicants that inquired to get the Waliyas job.
Batu
The 2018 Ethiopian U-20 and U-17 Leagues playoffs will be staged at Batu town, EFF confirms. Ethiopia Bunna, Mekelakeya, Ethiopia Medhin, Tirunesh Dibaba Academy, Dire Dawa Ketema, Hawassa Ketema, Dedebit, Wolaitta Dicha, Addis Ababa Ketema and Kidus Giorgis will compete for the U-20 league title. Meanwhile Marathon, Adama Ketema, Sidama Bunna, Afro Tsion, Ethiopia Bunna, Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy and Wolaitta Dicha are the clubs that will be vying for the U-17 league crown. Hawassa Ketema are the defending champions of both the U-20 and U-17 leagues.
