Ethiopians Abroad
Ethiopian international Shemeles Bekele on the double as Petrojet pip Smouha 2-1 in week 22 Egyptian premier league encounter at Al Seuz Stadium. Shemeles struck twice in space of two minutes to give Petrojet a 2-0 lead before Tarek Taha pulled one back for the Blue Waves through a well taken free kick. Petrojet sits 9th with 28 points while Smouha missed out on a chance to close the gap on second placed Ismaily after collecting 35 points.
Suspension
The Ethiopian Football Federation Discipline Committee has fined two players and a head trainer earlier today. Mekele Ketema head coach Yohannis Shale has been hit by a five game ban and 4000 birr penalty after the former Ethiopian national team coach insulted Sidama Bunna’s assistant coach Zeraye Mulu on week 13 encounter of the topflight league. Dedebit striker Getaneh Kebede is suspended for four games and also penalized 4000 birr after his red card against Jimma Aba Jifar for elbowing Henok Esayas while Aba Jifar’s left back is also suspended for one game. Meanwhile, Dedebit coach Nigusse Desta could face suspension over comments on match officials. The Discipline Committee is said to investigating the incident as Dedebit stated they are against the comments made by their head coach and don’t reflect the club’s stance. Coach Nigusse, who made Dedebit Ethiopian champions five seasons ago, told reporters after his charges lost 2-1 to newcomers Jimma Aba Jifar that there is a conspiracy to damage Dedebit.
Nomination
Beninese Ethiopia Bunna’s custodian Hariston Hessou has been nominated for the BJ Foot Awards. The shot stopper is nominated in the Goalkeeper of the Year category. Hessou kept 16 clean sheets in all competitions for Bunna in 2017. Winners will be revealed on February 26.
Warning
Dire Dawa Ketema has sent out warning to players. The Easterners has warned 9 players and reportedly fined some players for a poor form. Following a huge investment during the transfer window the club is still dangling in the relegation zone. The club gave out the warning to players to step up their games before the club took on defending champions on week 1 rescheduled fixture and managed to hold the record Ethiopian champions in Addis Ababa. Wolaitta Dicha, Hawassa Ketema, Mekele Ketema and ArbaMinch Ketema took similar stance on their players who are performing below par.
Woldia Sport Club management set to discuss important matters with players on Saturday, February 3 in Addis Ababa. The club has been in a hiatus as players left the town in North Wollo due to security concern. Massive anti government protests were observed last week last week. If the parties agreed on the pertinent issues Woldia players will resume training. It is not known what the club will move to do if officials fail to agree with players.
ArbaMinch striker Teshome Tadesse told Soccer Ethiopia that he refuses to return to the squad if the Crocodiles failed to honor the 7 month salary the owe him. The forward was in long-term injury lay off. Club manager Tadios Chemesa has acknowledged Teshome’s outrage and told Soccer Ethiopia that ArbaMinch Ketema board will discuss the matter and come up with a solution in the days coming.
Women Football
The Ethiopian Football Federation officially appointed Selam Zeray as head coach of the women national team. Selam, who just recently head the U-17 girls’ national team, takes over from Meserete Manni. She included her U-17 girls team coaching staff for the Lucy job where she will be assisted by Bizuayehu Wada and Webeshet Dessalgen. Lucy will face Libya in African Women Cup of Nations qualifier which is due in Ghana in 2018.
Women First Division Week 7 Results and Fixtures
Sidama Bunna 1-0 Ethio-Electric
Mekelakeya 2-2 Hawassa Ketema
Kidus Giorgis 1-0 Adama Ketema
Saturday, February 3/2018
3:00 – Dire Dawa Ketema vs. Gedio Dilla
Sunday, February 4/2018
2:00 – Dedebit vs. Ethiopia Nigd Bank
Round 14 of the Ethiopian Premier League kicks off on Saturday when Ethiopia Bunna hosts Fasil Ketema in Addis. Continental football bound clubs Kidus Giorgis and Wolaitta Dicha won’t play games in this round while Woldia SC tie against leaders Dedebit is postponed to another date.
Week 14 Fixtures
Saturday, February 3/2018
4:00 – Ethiopia Bunna vs. Fasil Ketema
Sunday, February 4/2018
3:00 – Welwalo Adigrat University vs. Hawassa Ketema
4:00 – Mekelakeya vs. Sidama Bunna
Thursday, February 6/2018
3:00 – Ethio-Electric vs. Mekele Ketema
3:00 – ArbaMinch Ketema vs. Dire Dawa Ketema
Thursday, February 15/2018
5:30 – Kidus Giorgis vs. Adama Ketema
Sunday, February 25/2018
3:00 – Jimma Aba Jifar vs. Wolaitta Dicha
Woldia SC PP Dedebit
