The 2019/20 Ethiopian Premier league 9th week fixtures were held on Friday and Saturday, with Mekelle maintaining their lead at the top while both Fasil and Wolwalo suffered yet another upset. There were also victories for Wolaitta Dicha and Hawassa.
Game week 9 kicked off on Friday as Sehul Shire stunned Fasil Kenema at the Tigray international stadium. Sehul Shire, who have been under a great run of form recently, created the biggest upset of the weekend by coming out victorious against the Emperors.
Goals late in the second half from Abdulatif Mohammed and Salifou Fofana handed Shire their third successive win, with the club climbing to 3rd on the log, level on points with Fasil Kenema.
The remaining 7 games were held on Saturday; leaders Mekelle 70 Enderta collected maximum points against Sebeta Ketema. Mekelle were forced to suffer interms of possession, as the experienced Sebeta Ketema were in control of the ball for the larger portion of the game but Mekelle’s direct approach was fruitful when it mattered most. Summer recruit Okiki Afolabi opened his goal-scoring account for his new side in style as he grabbed a brace while Endale Zewge scored the consolation for Sebeta. Mekelle are now 4 points clear of Fasil and Shire at the top of the table with 19 points.
In the capital, Ethiopia Bunna returned to winning ways after back to back losses in their recent two outings, beating Sidama Bunna at the Addis Ababa Stadium.
The match ended 2-1 in favor of the home side; Endale Debalke’s spot-kick gave the breakthrough for Ethiopia Bunna at the stroke of half time but Dawit Teferra leveled matters for Sidama soon after the restart. The man in form, Habtamu Tadesse, settled matters for the coffee makers with a wonderful header deep in the second half. Ethiopia Bunna, who seemingly found the winning formula at home, are 8th with 12 points.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia Bunna’s arch-rivals Kidus Giorgis were held to a one-all draw by Hadiya Hossana away from home. Bismarck Appiah’s first-half strike for the home side was canceled by Mintesnot Adane’s strike late in the second half.
Hawassa Ketema also returned to winning ways after a frustrating few weeks. Hawassa, trained by Addis Kassa, was under immense pressure following the team’s poor run of form which saw them slip from the summit of the table towards the danger zone. The teamwork was on point this time as they hammered Wolkite Ketema 3-1. Ex-Wolkite Ketema player Biruk Beyene had a fantastic game against his former employers, grabbing a brace and setting up Henock Ayele’s third goal, while Chala Teshita scored the consolation goal for Wolkite Ketema.
With this win, Hawassa move to 7th place with 13 points while Degarege Yigzaw’s Wolkite Ketema sunk to the bottom of the table.
Wolaitta Dicha, who parted ways with their head coach days prior to their match also registered a decent 2-1 win away from home against Jimma Aba Jiffar.
Jimma was infront thanks to Surafel Awol’s strike but Wolaita Dicha came from behind to collect all three points, with Baye Gezahegn and Endris Seid were on target for the struggling team, who have moved out of the drop zone courtesy of their win.
Diredawa hosted an Adama Kenema side who have not trained for days following their strike for unpaid wages. The home side emerged victorious holding on to their two goal cushion for the majority of the game, after an own goal from Menaf Awol and a Muhdin Mussa strike in the very first 10 minutes gave them the upper hand.
Bahir Dar Ketema also earned a hard-fought 3 points against Wolwalo. For the 3rd time this season, Bahirdar scored 3 goals while conceding 2 at their own backyard. Fikremicheal Alemu, Girma Disasa and an own goal from Samuel Yohannes helped Bahirdar increase their point to 14, while Itamunua Kemuine and Biruk Semu were the players to reduce the deficit for Wolwalo.
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