Leaders drop points as CBE Ethiopian Premier League kicks off second half of season

The second round of the 2025/26 CBE Ethiopian Premier League games kicked off over the weekend, with leaders Sidama Coffee, Hawassa Ketema, and Negelle Arsi dropping points. Fasil Kenema registered another loss, sparking a fans’ protest. The most anticipated derby between Saint George and Ethiopian Coffee has been moved to a later date.

Week 20 games of the top flight kicked off at Adama Science and Technology University Stadium and Hawassa University Stadium. Sidama Coffee failed to extend their lead at the top after a goalless draw against strugglers Wolwalo Adigrat University.

Hawassa Ketema came from behind to force a 1-1 draw against Dire Dawa Ketema. The Easterners took the lead in the first half with a brilliant volley from Diladdis Gebere. Veteran midfielder Shemeles Bekele restored parity after the hour mark following a commanding second-half performance from the Lakers.

Negelle Arsi failed to beat relegation battlers Arbaminch Ketema. The newly promoted side played out a one-all draw against the Crocodiles. Dawit Tefera scored from outside the box to give Negelle the lead. A goalkeeping mistake helped Arbaminch crawl back into the match with a goal from Befiker Gizachew.

Fasil Kenema’s poor recent run persisted with a 3-1 defeat to Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Ugandan striker Simon Peter, Huzeyefa Shafi, and Samson Chuchu scored for the Addis Ababa side, while new signing Tamirat Eyasu was on target for the Emperors on his debut.

Elsewhere, Wolayta Dicha rallied from behind to defeat Mechal 4-3 in a thrilling fixture. Yonatan Elias put in a splendid second-half performance as he bagged a brace for the Bees of Tona. Cralos Damtew and Tewodros Haile Mariam were also on target for the South Ethiopian side. Chernet Gugesa managed to get a brace against his boyhood club, although the tie ended in a loss for the army side.

Elsewhere, Adama Ketema inflicted further misery on reigning champions Ethiopian Insurance. Insurance are now in the relegation zone following Mekele 70 Enderta’s victory over Midere Genet Shire.

Sidama Coffee remain top of the standings with 36 points. Hawassa Ketema and Negelle Arsi are second and third with the same points tally as the table toppers. Adama Ketema climbed up to fifth with 31 points, two points behind Fasil Kenema. Ethiopian Insurance, Wolayta Dicha, Wolwalo Adigrat University, and Arbaminch Ketema are in the relegation zone.

Ethiopian Premier League: Week 20 Results

Hadiya Hosaina 0-1 Bahir Dar Ketema

Wolayta Dicha 4-3 Mechal

Ethiopian Insurance 0-1 Adama Ketema

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 3-1 Fasil Kenema

Arbaminch Ketema 1-1 Negelle Arsi

Hawassa Ketema 1-1 Dire Dawa Ketema

Sheger Ketema 0-0 Ethio-Electric

Sidama Coffee 0-0 Wolwalo Adigrat University

Mekele 70 Enderta 1-0 Midere Genet Shire

Week 21 Fixtures

Ethiopian Insurance vs Saint George

Adama Ketema vs Sheger Ketema

Dire Dawa Ketema Wolayta Dicha

Negelle Arsi vs Ethiopian Coffee

Mechal vs Mekele 70 Enderta

Ethio-Electric vs Hadiya Hosaina

Midere Genet Shire vs Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

Bahir Dar Ketema vs Arbaminch Ketema

Fasil Kenema vs Wolwalo Adigrat University

Hawassa Ketema vs Sidama Coffee

Highlights

Hawassa vs Dire Dawa

CBE vs Fasil Kenema

Ethiopian Insurance vs Adama Ketema

Wolayta Dicha vs Mechal

Arbaminch Ketema v Negelle Arsi