20th-week Ethiopian premier league fixtures were held on the weekends across the nation, where leaders Mekelle 70 Enderta lost yet again but both Sidama Bunna and Fasil Kenema failed to capitalize, Mekelakeya sank into the drop zone.
The 20-the week fixtures commenced on Saturday as the only match being held at the Tigray International Stadium, where Wolwalo A/U invited Mekelakeya and registered a slender 1-0 win, Richmond Adongo was on target for the Home side. Wolwalo who swapped Tsegaye Kidanemariam for Yohannes Sahle is under good run of form in the second round climbing to 7th in the league with 30 points, while Mekelakeya who are winless in the second round finally stepped to the drop zone.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the rest 7 games were held, where leaders Mekelle 70 Enderta who traveled to Bahir Dar lost for the second time in its last three matches. Mekelle who were victorious last week at home against Wolaita Dicha suffered another loss in the hands of Bahir Dar Ketema this time out at the Bahirdar international Stadium, Former Ethiopia Bunna versatile full-back Salamlak Tegegn was on the spotlight once again as he scored the only goal that separates the two sides with a trademark long-range shot. Bahirdar who are still unbeaten at home in the top tier climbed to 5th in the league.
Lidiya Taffese who returned to officiating men’s premier league match after 5 years absence controlled the highly anticipated encounter very well.
Also in the other games held in northern Ethiopia Diredwa ketema cruised to a hard fought victory over Dedebit. The match that was held at the Tigray international stadium was full of goals as the match ended 3-2 in favor of the visitors, Zenebe Kebede, Remedan Nasser, and Fred Mushinde were on the score sheet for the visitors while the Skipper Yabsera Tesfaye and the veteran Medhanie Taddese scored for Dedebit.
Diredawa Ketema, who secured there first back to back win of the campaign are moving well away from the drop zone and are currently residing in 11th with 25 points, also Dedebit who are showing glimpse of comeback after that dreadful first round display are currently bottom of the league with 10 points.
The match between Fasil Kenema and Debub Police ended in a 1 all draw. The Makeshift center forward Mujib Qassim breaks the deadlock in the 60th minutes for “The Emperors” before Henock Ayele’s equalizer who capitalized on Fasil Kenema’s skipper Yared Bayeh’s mistake to spoil the party, Fasil missed a golden opportunity to reduce the gap with the leaders Mekelle.
Adama Ketema, who sack their head coach Sisay Abraha days prior to the match also lost 2-1 against Hawassa Kenema in home soil. Mintesnot Abera and Desta Yohannes’ strike in each half was enough to seal the deal for Hawassa who are 8th with 28 points, Bulcha Shura who was sidelined for months due to injury marked his return with a goal as he scored the conciliation goal for the home side. Adama who was once a tough team to face at home is currently struggling to collect points at Adama Abebe Bikila.
Jimma Aba Jiffar also returned to winning ways after crushing relegation battelers Sehul Shire 2-0. Aschalew Girma and last year Ethiopian premier league top scorer Okiki Afolabi, who is having his second spell with the western Ethiopia side were on target for the home side.
Ethiopia Bunna suffered lose yet again in the hands of Wolaitta Dicha. Tsegaye Abera scored two headed goals while Alhasen Kalusha scored the only goal for Ethiopia Bunna. With this win, Wolaita Dicha is currently 12th with 23 points, 5 points adrift from the drop zone.
In the only match held at the capital Kidus Giorgis also bagged three points from the other tittle Contender Sidama Bunna, The “Horsemen” who were in full control of the match were unlucky as the match ended 2-0 only, Esuf Burhana connected well to a beautiful corner kick from Abel Yalew to give them the lead , the youngster Abel Yalew who was leading the front line for Kidus Giorgis missed so many chances that could put his sides lead well beyond doubt early in the first half, Abubeker Sanni scored the second goal deep in to the second half to lift his team.
Following the victory, Kidus Giorgis reduced the gap from the leaders to 9 points with 10 matches to go.
