Ethiopian Premier League Review [Game week 6 & 7]

A congested fixture saw Wolwalo maintain their spot at the summit of the table while Mekelle, Fasil and Bahir Dar are also in the leading pack with a point separating each. Hadiya Hossana, Wolaita Dicha, and Diredawa Ketema are in the drop zone with 7 games into the 2019/20 season.

A very congested fixture in Ethiopia’s context with a stretch of three games in the seven days kicked off last Friday as Sebeta Ketema recorded their second win of the campaign courtesy to their on-form striker Fitsum G/Mariam successfully converted the spot-kick, Fitsum had now 3 goals in two matches.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, 6 fixtures were held with three of the ending in a frustrating goalless draw, fixtures between Wolkite & Sehul Shire, Wolwalo & Hawassa, Adama & Jimma Aba Jiffar all ended in a goalless draw.

Ethiopia Bunna backed by their incredible fans run riot against Hadiya Hossana, the free-scoring Bunna demolished Hossana 5-0, Abubeker Nasser bagged a brace while Abel Kebede, Amaunel Yohannes, and Habtamu Tadesse scored the remaining goals for Bunna, Ethiopia Bunna are under an impressive form at their own back yard as they also scored 4 past Hawassa in the previous game at home.

The highly anticipated Amhara region Derby between Fasil Kenema and Bahirdar Ketema ended 3-0 in favor of the home side. The visitors dominated the fixture but the home sides ruthless counter-attacking was too much to handle for the “Wave of Tana”, an own goal from Bahir Dar’s Sintayehu Mengistu and strikes from Ousi Mawli and Mujib Qassim handed Fasil the match needed three points.

The surprise result of game week 6 came from Hawassa as fragile Diredawa Ketema came out 2-1 victorious against Sidama Bunna at Hawassa Stadium, Sidama Bunna seem to lose their fear factor while playing at home after they suffered their first loss in many matches at the hands of Mekelle 70 entertain in game week 4, they once again they suffered unforeseen loss to Dire, The Ghanaian Forward Richmond Adongo and Fred Mushende were on target for the visitors.

Meanwhile in the only fixture held on Sunday reigning Champions Mekelle 70 Enderta grieved their second loss of the season at the hands of Kidus Giorgis, an exquisite finish from Saladin Seid who was back to the starting 11 after two weeks absence and Abel Yalew strike gave a lifeline for the squad under immense pressure following their poor start to the campaign, Ashenafi Haftu scored the conciliation goal for Mekelle who were down to 10 men for much of the second half.

Game week 7 fixtures were held on Tuesday and Wednesday as Sehul Shire registered a slender 1-0 win over Sebeta ketema in the only fixture held on Tuesday at the Tigray international Stadium as Habtamu Sehewlaem’s successful spot-kick handed Sehul Shire their first win after their opening weekend triumph against Ethiopia Bunna, with this victory Shire climbed to 10th with 9 points.

While yesterday the rest 7 fixtures were held across the country, Hadiya Hossana who were yet to register their first victory in the premier league after returning to the top flight secured their first win at home against the title contenders Sidama Bunna, Goals from Surafel Daniel and Bismarck Oppong in each half prove vital for Hossana on their quest for the first three points, this win may prove as a turning point for Girma Tadesse’s Hossana side still residing the bottom of the table with 5 points.

Mekelle 70 Enderta also returned to winning ways as they cruised to victory against Adama at the Tigray international Stadium, Suleiman Semid’s own goal in the early minutes after the break and late strike from Amanuel G/Michael secured Mekelle 2-0 win, Reigning Champions Mekelle 70 Enderta are currently second in the table with 13 points.

Yohannes Sahle’s Wolwalo A/U returned from Eastern Ethiopia with 3 points in the bag, Junias Nanjibu brace was enough for Wolwalo who was apparently struggling to maintain their decent start to the season, with this vital three points away from home they retained their spot at the summit of the table with 14 points.

Hawassa Ketema and Kidus Giorgis played out a frustrating goalless draw at the Hawassa Stadium, while Fasil Kenema salvaged a draw in the dying minutes against Wolaita Dicha, “the bees of tona” were close in creating an upsetting to Fasil Kenema following Baye Gezahege’s 72nd-minute strike but an 88th-minute strike from Mujib Qassim rescued a draw, Fasil Ketema slipped to 3rd with 12 points.

Jimma Aba jiffar also came out 1-0 victories against newly promoted Wolkite Ketema Courtesy to Nigatu G/Selasiese 75th minute strike, Jimma currently is 6th with 10 points.

At the Bahir Dar International stadium the thrilling encounter between Bahirdar and Ethiopia Bunna ended 3-2 in favor of the host, Bahiradr Ketema were 3-0 up in the first 22 minutes with goals from their Skipper Daniel Hailu and a brace from Soccer Ethiopia’s PL player of the month for December Fitsum Alemu courtesy to miscued passes from Ethiopia Bunna Player’s leading to fast counter attacks, Ethiopia Bunna pulled one pack just before half time thanks to Abubeker Nasser’s Thunders free-kick from close range, early in the second half Ethiopia Bunna lost Abel Kebede through a straight red card but they were in full control of the second half and got another goal in the 72nd minute through Fikreyesus TewoldeBirhan but resilient Bahiradr defense got away with all the three points, the “Wave of Tana” are now 4th with 11 points.