Ethiopian Cup: Holders Wolayta Dicha and Saint George eliminated early

The 2025/26 Ethiopian Cup Round of 32 was played across three cities, with some title favorites exiting the competition early. Addis Ababa, Hawassa, and Jimma hosted the matches, with Ethiopian Premier League clubs dominating the competition. Holders Wolayta Dicha and Saint George crashed out of the competition, while Mechal and Ethiopian Coffee registered important wins in the round.

Record Ethiopian champions Saint George lost 5–4 on penalties against Arbaminch Ketema. The Horsemen were given a much-needed boost after beating Bahirdar Ketema in the league, but they were unable to break the Crocodiles during the match. Arbaminch have struggled in the top flight but can now bounce back with their Ethiopian Cup victory over the Addis Ababa side.

Wolayta Dicha’s abysmal form in the league persisted with an early Ethiopian Cup exit. They lost 2–0 to Wolwalo Adigrat University. Ghanaian Konkoni Hafiz and Firew Solomon struck the crucial goals for the Yellows in the second half. The Sodo club fired their head coach, Gebrekristos Birara, after a fourth league defeat earlier last week.

Ethiopian Coffee overcame Adama Ketema 2–1. Abubaker Adamu made the difference for the Browns with two second-half goals. Elsewhere, Ethiopian Insurance pipped Ethio Electric courtesy of a goal from Amanuel Erbo.

Record Ethiopian Cup champions Mechal brushed aside Midere Genet Shire 3–0. Yoseph Tarekegn, Abdulkerim Worku, and an own goal from Kibrom Birhane handed Mulugeta Miheret’s side a decisive victory.

Mekele 70 Enderta stunned Fasil Kenema thanks to a goal from Ashenafi Haftu.

Ethiopian Cup Results

Ethio-Electric 0-1 Ethiopian Insurance
Bench Maji Coffee 1-0 Gamo Chencha
Wolayta Dicha 0-2 Wolwalo Adigrat University
Arbaminch Ketema 0-0 Saint George (Pen. 5-4)
Boditi Ketema 2-0 Halaba Ketema
Mekele 70 Enderta 1-0 Fasil Kenema
Midere Genet Shire 0-3 Mechal
Hadiya Hosaian 1-1 Negele Arsi (Pen. 7-8)
Harar Ketema 1-2 Akaki Kality Sub City
Dire Dawa Ketema 1-0 Hawassa Ketema
Bahirdar Ketema 2-0 Sheger Ketema
Debre Birhan Ketema 0-0 Addis Ketema Sub City (Pen. 7-6)
Nib 0-0 Yeka Sub City (Pen. 4-2)
Bishoftu Ketema 1-0 Desse Ketema
Adama Ketema 1-2 Ethiopian Coffee
Sidama Coffee 0-0 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (Pen. 4-2)