Six games were played out across the country on week 15 of the Ethiopian topflight league as Dedebit extend their lead at the top while Ethiopia Bunna hold Mekele Ketema to a barren draw on Saturday.
Dedebit 4-0 Mekelakeya
League leaders Dedebit thrashed relegation battlers Mekelakeya 4-0 to go three points clear off Mekele Ketema. The Blues come to the game without Coach Nigusse Desta and striker Getaneh Kebede, who are suspended for 3 months and 4 games respectively. Akwere Chamo led Dedebit’s front line in the absence of Getaneh and Abel Yalew as he produced a master class performance to score his first ever league goal. Akwere struck a brace in the opening 11 minutes before Seyoum Tesfaye made it 3-0 in the 81st minute. Ephrem Ashamo completed Dedebit’s onslaught two minutes before time when he rounded Abel Mamo to find the back of the net. Mekelakeya were the dominant force throughout the game and created multiple scoring chances where they squandered. Meanwhile, Dedebit created five clear cut opportunities where they scored four of them. Dedebit tops the league with 28 points while Mekelakeya are 14th with 12 points.
Fasil Ketema 1-0 ArbaMinch Ketema
Fasil Ketema bounced back to winning ways as they pip ArbaMinch Ketema in a solitary goal from Mohammed Nasser. The former Kidus Giorgis, Adama Ketema and Ethiopia Medhin forward struck his second of goal of the season. Mohammed put the Emperors ahead in the 15th minute as the Crocodiles struggled to create scoring chances. ArbaMinch piled on the pressure in the last 15 minutes but failed to grab the equalizer. ArbaMinch defender Andenet Adane was sent off after a second booking in the stoppage time. Fasil Ketema climbed to fifth with 22 points. ArbaMinch Ketema are 13th with 13 points.
Mekele Ketema 0-0 Ethiopia Bunna
Ethiopia Bunna and Mekele Ketema extended their unbeaten run when they played out a goalless stalemate in Mekele. Both sides failed to create dangerous scoring chance in what had been a dull affair the whole 90 minutes. The homers came the closest to win the duel in the last 15 minutes with efforts from Ghanaian striker Gays Bismark Apong, Amanuel Gebremikael and Amele Milkias. Hariston Hessou was equal to the tasks as Ethiopia Bunna hold Mekele Ketema in their first ever meeting at the topflight. Mekele are second with 25 points as Ethiopia Bunna occupies 7th with 19 points.
Adama Ketema 1-1 Jimma Aba Jifar
Jimma Aba Jifar came from behind to force a one all draw against Adama Ketema in Oromia Derby tie at the Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium. The game kicked off 48 minutes late as the homers were superior in ball possession in the first interval. Attempts on goal were limited but Canaan Markneh should have given Adama the lead when he rose high to head a corner wide seven minutes following the onset. Dawa Hotessa broke the deadlock in the 10 minutes after the resumption. Canaan played a one two with Dawa and unleashed a powerful shot that Ghanaian shot stopper Daniel Agyei parried away as Dawa headed home the rebound. It is Dawa’s 7th goal of the campaign. A perfect Yonas Geremew delivery is met by Yihune Endeshaw to level matters. Congolese goalie Jacob Penze was glued to his post as he watched Yihune’s header in the 66th minute. Jimma Aba Jifar maintains their third spot with 22 points while Adama are 4th with the same point tally and inferior goal difference.
Sidama Bunna 1-1 Ethio-Electric
Ethio-Electric struck late to draw 1-1 against Sidama Bunna in Yirgalem. Baye Gezaghen put Sidama ahead in the 47th minute before Tekelu Tesfaye restored parity in the 79th minute. After Tekelu’s equalizer Electric’s dominance persisted on as the homers struggled to get back the game. Sidama Bunna fans jeered head trainer Alemayehu Abayneh after the coach quarreled with midfielder Yosef Yohannis. Coach Alemayehu omitted Yosef from his team that faced Electric following the heated altercation which induced fans to protest the decision.
Dire Dawa Ketema 2-0 Welwalo Adigrat University
After 12 rounds Dire Dawa Ketema managed to collect maximum points as they defeat Welwalo Adigrat University 2-0 in Dire Dawa. Kwame Atram fired past Bereket Amare in the 23rd minute as the Easterner took a deserved lead into the second interval. Second half substitute Mohammed Jemal put the game to bed in the 90th minute as Simon Abaye’s charges win a league games for the first time in 12 weeks. Welwalo Adigart University suffered a second loss in their last three league outings. Dire Dawa Ketema are 12 with 13 points while Welawlo are 10th with 16 points.
Saturday, February 10/2018
Mekele Ketema 0-0 Ethiopia Bunna
Sunday, February 11/2018
Adama Ketema 1-1 Jimma Aba Jifar
Fasil Ketema 1-0 ArbaMinch Ketema
Dire Dawa Ketema 2-0 Welwalo Adigrat University
Sidama Bunna 1-1 Ethio-Electric
Monday, February 12/2018
Dedebit 4-0 Mekelakeya
Friday, February 16/2018
3:00 – Wolaitta Dicha vs. Woldia SC
Thursday, March 1/2018
3:00 – Hawassa Ketema vs. Kidus Giorgis