Ethio Electric survive as Mekele 70 Enderta relegated from Ethiopian Premier League

Ethio Electric beat Mekele 70 Enderta 1-0 to confirm their status for the 2025/26 Ethiopian Premier League season. One-time Ethiopian champions Mekele 70 Enderta have been relegated from the top flight for the first time.

It was a do-or-die fixture between the two relegation battlers in the penultimate game of the league. Mekele piled on early pressure, but it was the Addis Ababa side that looked more dangerous on the attack. Electric took an early lead, with Eyob Gebremariam heading home from close range in the fourth minute.

Gebremariam’s goal proved crucial as Ethio Electric avoided relegation in the final round of games, collecting 44 points to finish 12th in the standings. Mekele 70 Enderta were relegated to the Ethiopian Higher League after finishing 15th with 41 points.

Two-time Ethiopian champions Ethio Electric have been a yo-yo team in recent seasons after previously failing to survive relegation. Under coach Zerihun Shenegta, the team secured survival for another season in the top flight.

Mekele 70 Enderta were champions in the 2018/19 season. The northern Ethiopian side failed to take part in the league for the past four years due to the war in the Tigray region. Clubs from the region resumed competing in the top flight in the 2024/25 season following a decision by the Ethiopian Football Federation.

Mekele 70 Enderta, Adama Ketema, Sihul Shire, and Wolwalo Adigrat University are the four clubs relegated from the league. The 2025/26 league season will feature 16 clubs.

Sheger Ketema and Arsi Negele are the two sides that gained promotion to the Ethiopian Premier League.