The Ethiopian Premier League week 28 saw the league leaders opening some gaps over their followers while the relegation battle is in full course as 9 clubs are fighting for survival. The title race is looking a two horse’s race as Ethiopia Bunna, Mekele Ketema and Adama Ketema dropped valuable points.
The Road to the Title
Kidus Giorgis and Jimma Aba Jifar continue to rub shoulders on the race for the title. With two rounds left both clubs collected the same point tally and have similar goal difference. Kidus Giorgis trounced Wolaitta Dicha 4-0. Center back Salahdin Bargicho bagged a brace while Behailu Assefa and Cape Verdean Osvaldo Tavares struck the remaining goals. Jimma Aba Jifar played their home game at Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium against Dedebit and came out 3-0 winners. Red-hot Nigerian Okikiola Afolabi grabbed a brace as Temesgen Gebrekidane capped off his amazing season with another crucial goal.
Ethiopia Bunna were held to a goalless draw by Dire Dawa Ketema in a muddy and unplayable Addis Ababa Stadium pitch. Mekele Ketema suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sidama Bunna in Yirgalem whilst Wolwalo Adigrat University condemned Adama Ketema to a 1-0 defeat. The result leaves Adama Ketema out of the title contention.
The Race for Survival
With 9 clubs being in the relegation battle mix round 28 was decisive for all of them. Ethio-Electric, Mekelakeya and Wolwalo Adigrat University recorded important victories. ArbaMinch Ketema and Hawassa Ketema were involved a disappointing barren draw. Woldia are the only confirmed demoted side so far.
Fasil Ketema, who suffered a heavy defeat to Ethio-Electric, and Dedebit together with the top 5 sides are the only clubs that have confirmed their status for another season in the topflight thus far.
Full Results:
Saturday, June 30/2018
Mekelakeya 2-0 Woldia SC
12’ Minyelu Wendimu 28’ Fitsum Gebremariam
Sunday, July 1/2018
Jimma Aba Jifar 3-0 Dedebit
17’ 90’ Okikiola Afolabi 51’ Temsegen Gebrekidane
Kidus Giorgis 4-0 Wolaitta Dicha
24’ 85’ Salahdin Bargicho 55’ Behailu Assefa 70’ Osvaldo Tavares
ArbaMinch Ketema 0-0 Hawassa Ketema
Sidama Bunna 2-1 Mekele Ketema
50’ 75’ Addis Gidey | 13’ Fusieni Nuhu
Wolwalo Adigrat University 1-0 Adama Ketema
51’ Prince Severin Waongo
Ethio-Electric 4-1 Fasil Ketema
27’ 54’ Addis Negash (PK) 44’ Didier Lebri 61’ Kalusha Alhassan | 39’ Hamis Kiiza
Monday, July 2/2018
Ethiopia Bunna 0-0 Dire Dawa Ketema
Kidus Giorgis tops the log table with 51 points, the same as Jimma Aba Jifar but the reigning champions scored more league goals than the newly promoted side. Ethiopia Bunna are third with 47 points while Mekele Ketema occupies fourth with 46 points. Wolaitta Dicha, ArbaMinch Ketema and Woldia are in the drop zone.
Top Goal Scorers
19 – Okikiola Afolabi (Jimma Aba Jifar)
13 – Samuel Sanumi (Ethiopia Bunna)
12 – Getaneh Kebede (Dedebit)
Kalusha Alhassan (Ethio-Electric)
11 – Addis Gidey
