Ethiopian Premier League: Ethiopian Insurance extend lead as Hawassa Ketema stun CBE

League leaders Ethiopian Insurance continued to march towards the title on Tuesday. Photo Credit: Ethiopian Premier League

Ethiopian Insurance are on the right track for their maiden Ethiopian Premier League title following Tuesday's 2-0 win over Ethio-Electric in Round 26, giving Insurance an 11-point lead. In the other match on Tuesday, relegation battlers Hawassa Ketema came from behind to humble Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.

Insurance scored twice in the second half to maintain their lead at the top of the table. The Addis Ababa side had a very tough first half as Ethio-Electric put up a strong defense. Mohamed Abera opened the scoring from the spot 15 minutes before full time. Abera then doubled the lead with a well-placed header to seal the victory.

Ethiopian Insurance are top of the standings with 51 points, while Ethio-Electric sit 13th with 29 points.

In a major shift in the relegation battle, Hawassa Ketema rallied from behind to beat reigning champions Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 2-1. Eritrean striker Ali Sulieman scored in each half to hand the Lakers a vital win. Suleiman Hamid gave CBE an early lead with a free kick, aided by a poor clearance from Ethiopian international Said Habtamu.

Hawassa responded with Sulieman scoring under pressure. The former Bahir Dar Ketema striker won the match for Hawassa with a brilliant counterattack in the second half. Sulieman now tops the scoring chart with 12 goals as he eyes to retain the top goal king award. He was the Ethiopian Premier League top scorer in 2023/24 season with 20 goals.

Hawassa Ketema remain in the relegation zone with 27 points but are just one point away from safety. CBE are seventh with 35 points.

Week 26 Results

Wolayta Dicha 1-3 Hadiya Hosaina

Wolwalo Adigrat University 1-3 Saint George

Ethiopian Coffee 0-1 Sidama Coffee

Arbaminch Ketema 0-0 Sihul Shire

Adama Ketema 0-2 Mechal

Fasil Kenema 0-1 Dire Dawa Ketema

Bahir Dar Ketema 4-1 Mekele 70 Enderta

Ethio-Electric 0-2 Ethiopian Insurance

Hawassa Ketema 2-1 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

League Table (Top-6 with 24 matches played)

	Points
Ethiopian Insurance	51
Bahirdar Ketema	40
Ethiopian Coffee	39
Mechal	38
Hadiya Hosaina	37
Wolayta Dicha	37

Week 27 Fixtures

Sihul Shire vs. Wolayta Dicha

Adama Ketema vs. Wolwalo Adigrat University

Ethiopian Coffee vs. Dire Dawa Ketema

Fasil Kenema vs. Hadiya Hosaina

Mekele 70 Enderta vs. Saint George

Bahir Dar Ketema vs. Ethio-Electric

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia vs. Mechal

Arbaminch Ketema vs. Ethiopian Insurance

Hawassa Ketema vs. Sidama Coffee