Ethiopian Cup: Sidama Coffee stripped of title as Wolayta Dicha declared cup winners

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) executive committee has decided to award the Ethiopian Cup to Wolayta Dicha. The Sodo-based club had lost 2-1 to Sidama Coffee in the final match held in Addis Ababa in June.

Sidama Coffee celebrated their Ethiopian Cup victory just a few days ago with a street parade in Hawassa. However, the celebrations may now come to an end after the EFF’s decision to hand the title to Wolayta Dicha.

Sidama Coffee was among the clubs penalised by the Ethiopian Premier League Share Company (EPLSC) for violating transfer regulations, specifically, payments made through third parties are prohibited, and the EPLSC identified Sidama Coffee as one of the offenders.

Sidama Coffee appealed the ruling to a federal court after their case was rejected by the EFF Appeal Committee. However, FIFA issued a warning to Sidama Coffee and other clubs, instructing them to take such matters to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rather than a local court.

The players involved in the violations had participated in both league and cup matches, and the EFF has now declared all of Sidama Coffee’s results null and void. As a result, the Ethiopian Cup has been awarded to Wolayta Dicha, marking their second title. As things stand, Wolayta Dicha will represent Ethiopia in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.