The Ethiopian premier league, in its 12th round of fixtures, saw Kidus Giorgis rise to the summit of the table, as Mekelle 70 Enderta slipped to 3rd. Meanwhile, after a string of poor results, Ethiopia Bunna finds themselves in the relegation zone.
To start it all off, Kudus Giorgis registered an impressive wide-margin victory against Sidama Bunna to overtake Mekelle 70 Enderta at the top of the table, in what was a one sided affair. Kidus Giorgis, who are under great run of form since the turn of the new year, won 6-2 against a visibly distract Sidama Bunna side, who found themselves at the wrong end of a thrashing after beating Welwalo A.U. 5-0 in their previous fixture.
Ex-Dedebit duo Getaneh Kebede and Abel Yalew grabbed a brace each for the Horsemen with an own goal from Girum Assefa, and Abubeker Sani’s strike late in the second half completing the haul for Kidus Giorgis; Yosef Yohannes and Addis Gidey grabbed the consolation for Sidama. With this win in hand, Kidus Giorgis clinched the top spot on the table with 23 points.
Meanwhile, city rivals Ethiopia Bunna traveled to Adama and suffered a 3-0 loss against a high pressing Adama Ketema side. Adama’s high intensity pressing was on display in the build up for the goals from Dawa Hottesa and Kenean Markneh; Sulieman Semid wrapped things up for Adama after a breathtaking counter attack in the second half. After the final whistle, Ethiopia Bunna fans vocally expressed their frustration with the teams recent form. Adama Ketema, struggling to manage the payroll of their players, once again showed what the are capable of doing, and are currently 10th with 15 points.
Wolaita Dicha and Sehul Shire registered identical 3-0 victories this week against Diredawa Ketema and Hawassa Ketema respectively.
Eyob Alemayehu grabbed a brace and Baye Gezahegn scored the other for a Wolaita Dicha side, who are displaying a mirroring change in fortune after sacking Gebrekirstos Birara after game week 9.
Sehul Shire also are proving their doubters wrong as they are currently sitting comfortably on 4th with 19 points. Netsanet Gebrmedhin, Salifou Foffana and Abduletif Mohammed did the deed for the side from the North this week, returning them to winning ways after they suffered loss mid week against Mekelle 70 Enderta.
Wolkite Ketema also secured their third successive win, this time beating injury-marred mid table side Bahirdar Ketema with a 2-0 scoreline. Ahmed Hussien, who was the star-man for Wolkite Ketema last season in their higher league triumph, grabbed a brace after coming on as a substitute in the second half; Wolkite are now 5th with 17 points.
The surprise result of the weekend came from Jimma as Jimma Aba Jiffar stunned league leaders Mekelle 70 Enderta at home, thanks to Buzayehu Endeshaw’s solitary strike in the 30th minute. Mekelle lost two successive away games for the first time this season and seemingly need to repair their squad if they are to succeed in their quest of retaining the league title, and now sit 3rd in the league table, a single point away from leaders Kidus Giorgis.
Two fixtures were played on Monday, Fasil edged past Wolwalo A.U courtesy of top scorer of the league Mujib Qassim’s successful spot kick in the 23rd minute. The match also witnessed Fasil Kenema’s supporters booing their head coach and players for their style of play and poor form away from home.
Sebeta Ketema earned a hard-fought three points from visitors Hadiya Hossana, currently bottom of the table, in the other game played on Monday. Banu Diawara opened the scoring for the home side early in the first half but Ghanian forward Bismark Appiah leveled matters for Hadiya before half time. Fitsum G/Mariam’s 81st-minute strike handed Sebeta Ketema valuable three points.
© Soccer Ethiopia
