Ethiopian Premier League: Bahirdar Ketema falter as Mechal held to a draw

Mechal in action vs Sihul Shire. Photo: Ethiopian Premier League

Bahirdar Ketema failed to replicate their impressive win over Ethiopian Insurance from the last round, settling for a draw against holders Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in week 29 of the Ethiopian Premier League. Mechal were held by strugglers Sihul Shire at Hawassa University Stadium.

Bahirdar Ketema failed to close the gap on league leaders Insurance after a goalless draw against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. The Waves of Tana came into the match on a high, but they were unable to dominate the Bankers.

The barren draw means Bahirdar Ketema slipped to third with 47 points, while CBE are ninth with 38 points.

Shemeles Bekele returned to action with a goal against Sihul Shire. The army side and Sihul Shire played out a 1-1 draw. Elias Ahmed leveled matters from the penalty spot in the second half.

Mechal are fourth with 41 points, while Sihul Shire remain 17th with 21 points.

Week 29 Results

Saint George 0-1 Adama Ketema

Ethiopian Coffee 1-0 Wolayta Dicha

Arbaminch Ketema 0-1 Hawassa Ketema

Ethio-Electric 1-2 Sidama Coffee

Fasil Kenema 0-2 Ethiopian Insurance

Diredawa Ketema 1-1 Mekele 70 Enderta

Hadiya Hosaina 3-2 Wolwalo Adigrat University

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 0-0 Bahirdar Ketema

Mechal 1-1 Sihul Shire

League Table

	Points
Ethiopian Insurance	57
Ethiopian Coffee	48
Bahirdar Ketema	47
Mechal	41
Hadiya Hosaina	41
Wolayta Dicha	41
Saint George	40
Sidama Coffee	40
CBE	38
Fasil Kenema	35
Arbaminch Ketema	35
Hawassa	34
Ethio Electric	32
Diredawa Ketema	30
Mekele	30
Adama Ketema	26
Sihul Shire	21
Wolwalo	13

• The bottom four teams at the end of the season will be relegated to the Ethiopian Higher League.

• The league champions qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Champions League.

• The league runners-up qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.

Fixtures

Sidama Coffee vs. Wolayta Dicha

Hawassa Ketema vs. Saint George

Mekele 70 Enderta vs. Ethiopian Insurance

Diredawa Ketema vs. Arbaminch Ketema

Wolwalo Adigrat University vs. Ethio-Electric

Ethiopian Coffee vs. Adama Ketema

Fasil Kenema vs. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

Bahirdar Ketema vs. Mechal

Hadiya Hosaina vs. Sihul Shire