The Ethiopian premier league 11th-week fixtures were played across the country on Thursday and Friday with Ethiopia Bunna, Kidus Giorgis and Fasil Kenema winning their matches with a narrow 1-0 scoreline while Sidama Bunna and Welwalo A/U all returned to winning ways.
On Thursday, league leaders Ethiopia Bunna played hosts to second-placed Hawassa Kenema at the Addis Abeba Stadium. The coffee makers got themselves into a flying start with an early goal from their Congolese import Suleiman Lukwa, who headed home a pinpoint delivery from the youngster Yehwalashet Fekadu. Suleiman scored Four goals and finished as joint top scorer in the Addis Abeba City Cup (preseason friendly tournament), but was struggling to replicate that form in the league; this goal is being only his second one in competitive fixtures. Hawassa Kenema did enjoy a lot of the ball, and had most of the possession, but failed to create any clear cut scoring opportunities. The second half entertained plenty more chances as both sides pushed for goals, but Lokwa’s Goal proved to be the only difference between the two teams. With this win, Ethiopia Bunna raised their points to 22, and remain at the summit of the table.
Kidus Giorgis traveled to Dire Dawa to tackle Diredawa Ketema on the back of their emphatic win against Mekelakeya last week. The hosts were by far the better side in both halves in terms of possession and creating chances. Habtamu Wolde’s attempt that rattled the near post after a very well executed counter-attack in the 40th minute was the closest Diredawa Ketema came to scoring. However, in the 86th minute, veteran forward Salhadin Seid connected beautifully to Henock Adunga’s inch-perfect cross to give his side vital 3 points away from home – a sucker-punch of sorts to Diredawa Ketema who had dominated much of the game. The win lifted Kidus Giorgis to 2nd in the league with 19 points, still have a game in hand.
In other grounds, the Southern Ethiopia Derby between newcomers Debub police and Sidama Bunna was interrupted for about 35 minutes after kick-off due to a clash between fans and the police, leading to the firing of tear gas that forced the match to be temporarily halted. Sidama eventually came out winners of the tie with a 3-1 scoreline, with Habtamu Gezahegn’s brace and Wondmeneh Aynalem’s strike all coming after the restart. Henock Ayele scored the conciliation goal for Debub Police.
Welwalo Adigrat University welcomed Bahirdar Ketema at the Tigray International Stadium in Mekele, and run out 1-0 victors thanks to Richmond Adongo’s successful penalty kick. It was the second loss in three games for Bahirdar Ketema, while Welwalo registered a victory after going winless for the last 3 consecutive matches. After the final whistle, Welwalo A/U fans stayed inside the stadium for 30 minutes, chanting and requesting their club officials to fasten the refurbishment of their Stadium in Adigrat, which is under reconstruction to upgrade the pitch and main tribune.
Meanwhile, Today’s two fixtures in Addis Ababa and Gondar were held at the unusual kickoff time of 10 am due to the Ethiopian Epiphany festivities.
Mekelakeya came into the match having conceded 10 goals in the last two games but had hoped for a victory over newcomers Sehul Shire, who are still winless in the league. But it was Sehul Shire who got the opening goal through Ledetu Lemma in the very first minute after Mekelakeya goalie Yednekachew Kidane made a howler. Fitsum Gebremariam leveled matters in the 32nd minute, and Mekelakeya went ahead after Fitsum doubled his tally in the 62nd minute. The visitors pushed men forward in search of the equalizing goal, and finally did just that with second half substitute Kidane Assefa slotting home from close range; the game finished 2 all.
At the Gonder Atse Fasiledes stadium, Fasil Kenema were victorious against Wolaita Dicha. Skipper Yared Bayeh converted from the penalty spot in the 86th minute to lift his to 3rd with 18 points. Unsettled Wolaita Dicha head coach Zenebe Fisseha may well be on the brink of leaving the club following today’s result.
Tigray International Stadium in Mekele will host the remaining two matches of Game week 11, as bottom side Dedebit FC host Adama Ketema on Sunday. The game between Mekele Seba Enderta and Jimma Aba Jiffar is postponed for a later date due to Aba Jiffar’s involvement in the CAF Confederations Cup in the weekend.
