The title race intensifies as leaders Fasil Kenema went out to lose 2-1 while Mekelle 70 Enderta came from behind to salvage a draw, the surprise packages Sidama Bunna rescued a hard fought 3 points leveling with the leading pack, Dedebit is officially relegated.
On Saturday Wolaita Dicha hosted league leaders Fasil Kenema in what was a must-win game for both sides, relegation-threatened Wolaita Dicha opened the scoring in the opening minutes courtesy to miscommunication between Fasil goalie Samake and Coulibaly, Baye Gezahegn was there to capitalize from that error heading home the breakthrough goal that opened the scoring.
But the visitors restored parity in the 12th minute as the Nigerian Forward Azzuka Izzu was there to slot home following a miscued pass from Teklu Tesfaye to Tarik Getnet.
In what was a very frustrating match for both sides Haile Eshetu who came from the bench late in the second have scored what would be a very pivotal goal in Dicha’s quest for premier league survival.
The match which ended 2-1 in favor of Wolaita Dicha also witnessed 3 brothers playing at the same time for the two sides, “The Guggsa Brothers” Anteneh and Cherenet Guggsa were representing Wolaita Dicha meanwhile their elder brother and former Wolaita Dicha winger Shemeket Guggsa was also in the starting lineup for Fasil Kenema.
Second-placed Mekelle 70 Enderta also traveled to Jimma to tackle Jimma Aba Jiffar, Jimma who last week suffered a 6-1 demolition at the hands of Fasil Kenema, it was an emotional match for Mekelle head coach Gebremedhin Haile. he was in charge of that title-winning side of Jimma who won the league last season by surprising many. Jimma was 2-0 up early in the second half, Diddier Lebri and Mamadou Sidibe were on target for the home side.
Mekelle who are struggling for the past weeks needed a last-minute miracle to put their hope of winning the title to life, Ghanian international Gabriel Ahmed was the hero for Mekelle as he scored twice in the dying minutes to turn thing around for his team.
Sidama Bunna was given tough test against Debub Police at the Hawassa Stadium, Debub Police was upfront twice in the match following Henok Ayele’s strikes, But Sidama Bunna showed why they are among the league summit sides, they scored four goals to rescue a hard fought 3 points. Sidama Bunna’s Dawit Tefera who replaced the injured Wondmneh Aynalem early in the first half was their star performer of the match and was involved in two goals scoring another. Abebayehu Yohannes, Chala Teshita, Habtamu Gezahegn were on target for Sidama Bunna.
So as things stand the with four games to go the race for the title has become mouth-watering, Fasil Kenema , Mekelle 70 Enderta and Sidama Bunna have all 49 points, Fasil Kenema is still leading the chart with goal difference Mekelle and Sidama are second and third.
Meanwhile in the other game on Saturday Hawassa Kenema who were punished by the Ethiopian Football Federation for their fans misconduct in the first round, where forced to play one home game away from home, so they hosted Ethiopia Bunna at the Assela Aerengwadiew Stadium, the first half was played in a heavy rain after the restart the match officials decided that the pitch will not be able to host the remaining 45 minutes, the remaining 45 minutes was played the following day at the Bishoftu’s Defence Engineering College stadium, the match ended in a goalless draw.
While on Sunday Bahir Dar Ketema and Welwalo AU. played out in stalemate, Kidus Giorgis returned to winning ways thanks to two their Skipper Aschalew Tammen’s two successful spot-kicks, Kidus Giorgis is still 4th with 43 points 6 points away from the leading pack.
Sehul Shire hosted Mekelakeya in a game which could prove vital for both sides who are battling it out to move out of the drop zone, The man on form Bismarck Appiah and Dessalegn Debash were on target for the Shire while Fekadu Alemu scored the conciliation goal for Mekelakeya, following this slender win Shire replace Mekelakeya to 13th place.
Also on Sunday Adama Kenema put the final nail in Dedebit’s coffin. Dedebit, who suffered 4-0 demolition at the hands of Adama are officially the first team to be relegated from the Ethiopian Premier league, Dedebit who were promoted to the Ethiopian Premier League in 2009/10, was once Champion of Ethiopia’s top tier are relegated to the Ethiopian Higher league after 9 years.
