Ethiopian Premier League: Sidama Coffee extend lead as Mechal, Ethio-Electric claim big wins

Week 22 from the CBE Ethiopian Premier League saw Sidama Coffee consolidating their lead at the top as Mechal, Ethiopian Coffee, and Ethio-Electric registered big wins. Saint George and Negelle Arsi shared the spoils, whilst Hawassa Ketema were held by Wolayta Dicha.

Sidama Coffee needed a last-gasp goal to beat Fasil Kenema 1-0. Fasil Kenema appointed their former trainer Zemariam Woldegiorgis at the start of the week as he took the helm before the crunch duel against the table toppers. Fasil Kenema missed some big chances throughout the tie and it came to be costly at the end. Bless Nago scored the winner for high-flying Sidama at the death (photos).

A dominant performance for Negelle Arsi was not enough to defeat Saint George as they shared the spoils. Kebe Bizuneh of Negelle squandered a penalty kick in the second half as the record Ethiopian champions Saint George walked out with a single point.

Hawassa Ketema and relegation battlers Wolayta Dicha played out a one-all draw. Tewodros Tafese opened the scoring for the Bees of Tona, but Biruk Tadele levelled matters at the stroke of half-time with a brilliant effort.

Army side Mechal bounced back after two defeats in a row as they downed Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 2-0. Ugandan striker Charles Musige gave Mechal the lead in the first half before Alembirhan Yigezaw scored a superb goal in the second half to put the game to bed.

Ethio-Electric thrashed Arbaminch Ketema 4-1. Rwandan midfielder Patrick Sibomana opened the scoring early with a fantastic goal from range. Abel Habtamu doubled the lead after a goalkeeping howler. Anwar Bedru made it three in the first half before Habtamu completed his brace early in the second half. The Crocodiles scored a consolation goal through Yigezu Bogale eight minutes before time.

Ethiopian Coffee dominated Bahir Dar Ketema to win 2-0. New signing Biniyam Getachew and Zelalem Abate were on target for the Browns.

Sheger Ketema and Ethiopian Insurance settled for a point after two late goals. Dawit Kassaw thought he had given Sheger the win, but the reigning Ethiopian champions equalized in the 90th minute through a header from their new signing Samuel Saliso.

Sidama Coffee top the standings with 42 points, whilst Hawassa Ketema and Negelle Arsi are second and third with 37 points. Mechal and Adama Ketema leapfrogged Fasil Kenema to sit fourth and fifth. Wolwalo Adigrat University, Wolayta Dicha, Mekele 70 Enderta, and Arbaminch Ketema are still dangling in the relegation zone.

Ethiopian Premier League: Week 22 Results

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 0-2 Mechal

Saint George 0-0 Negelle Arsi

Wolwalo Adigrat University 1-0 Shire Meder Genet

Sheger Ketema 1-1 Ethiopian Insurance

Sidama Coffee 1-0 Fasil Kenema

Ethiopian Coffee 2-0 Bahir Dar Ketema

Wolayta Dicha 1-1 Hawassa Ketema

Arbaminch Ketema 1-4 Ethio-Electric

Mekele 70 Enderta 1-2 Dire Dawa Ketema

Hadiya Hosaina 1-1 Adama Ketema

Match Highlights

Sidama Coffee vs Fasil Kenema

CBE vs Mechal

Saint George vs Negelle Arsi

Wolayta Dicha vs Hawassa Ketema

Arbaminch vs Ethio-Electric

Sheger Ketema vs Insurance