Week 23 fixtures were played across the country from Saturday to Monday where all teams at the top end of the chart were victorious as Kidus Giorgis was held to a draw against cross-city rivals Ethiopia Bunna in the highly anticipated Sheger derby.
This weeks fixture commenced on Saturday as relegation battlers Debub Police hosted Adama kenema at the Hawassa Stadium, First half strikes from Henok Ayele and Birhanu Bekele handed the south Ethiopian side a comfortable 2-0 win which temporarily moved them out from the drop zone for an hour till Mekelakeya played. Debub police, who are now 14th with 23 points is 6 points away from 11th placed Adama kenema with 7 matches remaining to be played.
Meanwhile, in the other 3 pm fixture of that date, Fasil kenema hammered Dedebit 5-1 at the Tigray international stadium, Fasil kenema opened their scoring in the 4th minute as Amsalu Tilahun’s marvelous free kick goal handed them the lead. but the match was stooped for few minutes as objects were thrown on to the pitch.
After the restart, Abdurehman Mubarak added another goal and the two teams went for a break, In the second half former Dedebit winger Shemeket Guggesa and Ephrem Alemu scored two goals that made the match beyond Dedebit’s reach. but yet again the match was forced to be stopped for an hour as Stones and other objects were thrown on Fasil Kenema’s players and staffs, due to this incident some players from both sides suffered minor injuries. Mujib Qassim and Medhane Taddese scored goals for each side completing the 5-1 score in favor of the visitors, Free-scoring Fasil Kenema has scored 11 goals in the last three matches, are currently maintaining second spot in the league with 43 points, while the clock is ticking for Dedebit’s chance of survival as they are currently bottom of the table with 10 points and 32 goal deficits.
The late kickoff on Saturday saw resurgent Mekelakeya under new management registered a slender 1-0 win against Bahir Dar Ketema, this win might prove to be very vital in their pursuit for survival in the top flight, Fekadu Alemu was on target for Mekelakeya to register their first back to back victory of the second round, the army sides are currently 13th one point away from the drop zone.
On Sunday four matches were held among three of them were Local derbies
Hawassa kenema hosted Sidama Bunna in the so-called “Brothers Derby” at the Hawassa Stadium, Addis Gidey’s strike proved to be the only difference separating the two sides, Addis who now has 12 goals this season is challenging Amanuel G/Michael for the Top scoring prize. Sidama Bunna is 3rd with 40 points, Hawassa who failed to register a win in there last three matches are placed 10th.
At the Tigray international stadium Mekelle 70 Enderta returned to winning ways after beating Sehul Shire in the Tigray Derby, Top scorer Amanuel G/Michael, Yared Kebede and Osie Mawuli were on target for the home side meanwhile Bismarck Appiah scored the conciliation goal for Sehul Shire. Mekelle is still at the summit of the chart with 48 points with 7 matches to go.
Dire Dawa Ketema who were shattered by Fasil kenema last week also back to winning ways as Remedan Nasser and Itamunua Keimuine were on the score sheet to lift Dire Dawa to 9th place. The eastern Ethiopia side is slowly moving out of the relegation Battel.
The highly anticipated Sheger Derby between Ethiopia Bunna and Kidus Giorgis ended in a stalemate. As always the match was very cagey in both halves. Ethiopia Bunna’s goalie Wondossen Shenafi who was booked for time wasting deep into the second half, was sent off in the dying minutes for handling the ball outside the Box, Kidus Giorgis is still 4th, seem to be slowly moving out of the title race.
On Monday the match between Welwalo AU. and Jimma Aba Jiffar ended in a one-all draw. Abdurahman Fusseini gives the host the lead in the first half but his goal was canceled out by Okiki Afolabi’s 74th-minute strike. Following this result, both teams were able to maintain their position in the chart.
