Ethiopia Bunna SC managed to register their first win of the 2016/2017 Ethiopian premier league season by beating Sidama Bunna Today in the second of the two Week 5 fixtures played at the Addis Ababa National Stadium. Electric hosted Arbaminch Ketema in the earlier kickoff, also hoping to register their first 3 points of the season, but could only register another draw.
Both games were started after a moment of silence was observed for the late former national team player Zelalem Teshome who died on Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
Electric started their game on a bright note dominating the early proceedings and eventually taking the lead when Fitsum Gebremariam pressured Arbaminch defender Temesgen Castro into making a mis-directed clearance which hit the striker and eventually rebounded in to the goal in the 17th minute. Electric did have a handful of other opportunities to increase their lead before the break, but couldn’t convert their chances.
Gebremichael Yacob levelled for Arbaminch at the stroke of half time, after he played a clever one-two pass with Amele Milkias and then unleashed a powerful shot from range, which left Electric keeper Abu Suleymane stranded.
Electric suffered an unexpected setback in the 49th minute when star midfielder Dawit Estifanos was sent out of the game after recieving a second booking. The playmaker was initially booked for his foul on Mintesinot Abera, but his excessive reaction to the decision prompted the referee to give him his marching orders.
The rest of the game was largely uneventful par for a few shots from range, and 4 yellow cards dished out for not accepting the referees decisions, time wasting and dangerous fouls, as Arbaminch were not able to make their numerical advantage count.
Following the result Electric stay at number 13 on the standings table with 4 points, while Arbaminch Ketema also failed to improve their position on the log residing at number 11.
Ethiopia Bunna played host to a buoyant Sidama Bunna in the 2nd game of the day, and were able to beat the visitors 2-1 and register their first win of the season. The home team were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute after Ahmed Reshid was brought down by Saurel Olrish in the box. Nigerian striker Samuel Sanumi made no mistake from the spot, scoring his first goal for Ethiopia Bunna in the league after joining them from Dedebit in the Summer.
Samuel Sanumi was lively in the opening minutes and his cross into the box after a blistering run down the left in the 28th minute was rounded in by Cameroonian import Yabun William as Ethiopia Bunna were able to extend their lead. Sidama Bunna goalkeeper Lealem Birhanu’s positioning was partly to blame for the goal.
Sidama Bunna made a change during the break, bringing in Tsegaye Balcha to give them more options upfront, and the move proved fruitful as the winger was able to trouble Ethiopia Bunna’s defence on a few occasions. Midfielder Fitsum Teferi reduced the deficit in the 54th minute after Tsegaye Balcha’s cross found him unmarked in the box.
Both teams made a number of attempts on goal in the remaining minutes, Sidama Bunna looking to level matters, and Ethiopia Bunna trying to extend their lead. No team was, however, able to score with Ethiopia Bunna coming the closest when goalkeeper Lealem Birhanu’s blunder almost gifted them a goal. Ethiopia Bunna were quite happy to see out the game, and get the all important 3 points at the end, and they will hope this is a sign of better things to come.
The 2016/17 Ethiopian premier league 5th week games will continue Tomorrow on match day 2 with a total of 6 fixtures scheduled to kickoff Tomorrow. League leaders Kidus Giorgis will look to extend their stay at the top when they host Adama Kenema at the Addis Ababa Stadium. The game between Woldia SC and Fasil Kenema is also another one to look out for as the two teams, who are the only representatives of the Amhara regional state in the league, will play for regional supremacy.
Full Fixtures:
15:00 | Wolaita Dicha Vs Diredawa Ketema – Soddo Stadium
15:00 | Woldia SC Vs Fasil Kenema – Woldia Melkakole Stadium
15:00 | Hawassa Ketema Vs Mekelakeya – Hawassa Stadium
15:00 | Jimma Aba Bunna Vs Dedebit – Jimma Stadium
15:00 | Addis Ababa Ketema Vs Ethiopia Nigd Bank – Addis Ababa Stadium
17:30 | Kidus Giorgis Vs Adama Ketema – Addis Ababa Stadium
