Ethiopian Premier League: Sidama Coffee win Rodwa Derby as late goals define week 21

Week 21 of the CBE Ethiopian Premier League saw Sidama Coffee S.C. beat Hawassa Ketema S.C. in the Rodwa Derby. Late goals poured in during the week as Midere Genet Shire FC, Wolwalo Adigrat University F.C., Ethiopian Insurance F.C. and Ethiopian Coffee S.C. registered wins. Strugglers Wolayta Dicha S.C. and Arbaminch Ketema F.C. also won during the week (highlights of all matches at the end)

Hawassa University Stadium was packed for the biggest clash of the week as Sidama Coffee beat Hawassa Ketema 2–1 in the Rodwa Derby on Saturday. Both sides were level on points going into the match in Hawassa.

Two former Hawassa Ketema players combined to give Sidama Coffee the lead in the first half. Mesfin Tafese’s square ball found Birhanu Bekele, who scored with a powerful shot before halftime.

The Lakers leveled matters in the second half after a brilliant run by veteran midfielder Shemeles Bekele set up Tebarek Hefamo to slot home from inside the box. However, Tafese headed home to seal maximum points for Sidama Coffee.

Ramkel James converted a penalty as Ethiopian Coffee edged Negelle Arsi F.C. 1–0. Fasil Kenema S.C. lost 2–1 to Wolwalo Adigrat University. Jabir Mulu gave the Emperors the lead in the first half, but Ephrem Hailemariam and Ghanaian import Hafiz Konkoni struck to turn the result around.

There were goals galore as Adama Ketema F.C. and Sheger Ketema F.C. played out a 3–3 draw, with four goals scored after the 85th-minute mark. Alazar Shemeles bagged a brace for Adama Ketema, while Ahmed Hussien added the other goal. Biniyam Fikru scored for the first time in Sheger colors, while Jebesa Miesa and Henok Adugna netted the other two goals.

Carlos Damtew’s second-half double was enough for Wolayta Dicha to cruise past 10-man Dire Dawa Ketema F.C. 2–0. Arbaminch Ketema also beat Bahir Dar Ketema F.C. 2–0, with goals from Butaka Shemena and Yidnekachew Yasin.

Midere Genet Shire struck late to overcome Commercial Bank of Ethiopia F.C. 2–1. Daniel Darge and Desalegn Ketemaw helped the north Ethiopian side collect three points. Ethiopian Insurance put three past Saint George S.C., with Biruk Mulugeta bagging a brace and Biruk Belachew adding the third goal.

Sidama Coffee top the standings with 39 points. Hawassa Ketema and Negelle Arsi are second and third with 36 points each. Fasil Kenema remain fourth with 33 points. Ethiopian Coffee climbed to 11th with 26 points, while their bitter rivals Saint George are 14th with 24 points.

Wolayta Dicha, Mekele 70 Enderta F.C., Wolwalo Adigrat University and Arbaminch Ketema are in the drop zone, but the relegation fight is intensifying, with only six points separating seventh-placed Ethio Electric S.C. and 17th-placed Wolayta Dicha.

Ethiopian Premier League Week 21 Results

Ethiopian Insurance 3-0 Saint George

Adama Ketema 3-3 Sheger Ketema

Dire Dawa Ketema 0-2 Wolayta Dicha

Negelle Arsi 0-1 Ethiopian Coffee

Mechal 0-0 Mekelle 70 Enderta

Ethio Electric 0-1 Hadiya Hosaina

Medere Genet Shire 2-1 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

Bahir Dar Ketema 0-2 Arbaminch Ketema

Fasil Kenema 1-2 Wolwalo Adigrat University

Hawassa Ketema 1-2 Sidama Coffee

Ethiopian Premier League Highlights

Hawassa 1-2 Sidama Coffee

Fasil Kenema 1-2 Wolwalo

Adama Ketema 3-3 Sheger Ketema

Bahir Dar 0-2 Arbaminch

Midere Genet Shire vs CBE

Ethio Electric 0-1 Hadiya Hosaina

Negelle Arsi 0-1 Ethiopian Coffee

Dire Dawa 0-2 Wolayta Dicha