Friday, January 16, 2026

The logic of having foreigners in question at Kidus Giorgis

A shocking away defeat at the hands of relegation threatened Arbaminch Ketema on Monday heralded that defending champions Kidus Giorgis’ dream of unprecedented five consecutive Premier League Titles is in danger. Though Dedebit appeared to fade away from strong title contention, newly promoted sides Jimma AbaJifar and Mekele Ketema are showing some character that this time they are up for their first ever league title.
An experienced head trainer Carlos Pinto from Portugal holding the reign and three of the five foreign players including Ghanaian debutant striker Richard Appiah in action against a side that has no foreign player and led by active goalie Jackson Fita, the question why an overseas footballers are here to sign a seven figure salary is getting stronger.
A first minute opener then the second at the 38th followed by the third six minutes later, by the time Pinto brought in full back Abebaw Butako at 48th minute followed by Appiah in the 52nd and veteran die hard Adane Girma at the 67th, the hosts had already camped back on their own half with solid defense. Add two missed golden chances from Berhanu Adamu the goal tally would have even gone higher. Such a three star complete domination is hard to accept for Kidus Giorgis.
Pinto was expected to come up with some ideas to reverse the situation even before the break for it is a rare chance in Ethiopian Football to come back in away match let alone with a three goals advantage. Teams from the south appeared the wisest against Giorgis: Dicha broke the champions’ unbeaten eight matches run then Hawassa Ketema’s 4-1 home demolition and now a 3-0 away defeat to the Alligators that lost three nil in their earlier game against Welwalo Adigrat. It must be some curse from aback.
Though Giorgis are still in the title race currently fourth in the table with 33 points and two matches in hand that is five points from AbaJifar with 38 and second place Mekele Ketema with 35 points and two games in hand. The two sides are showing no wavering in their recent performances thus it is no easier to a record consecutive five league titles.

Hot this week

Production up, but the ‘cost’ variable weighs heavily

Production is up in 2021 for the Italian agricultural...

Luminos Fund’s catch-up education programs in Ethiopia recognized

The Luminos Fund has been named a top 10...

Well-planned cities essential for a resilient future in Africa concludes the World Urban Forum

The World Urban Forum (WUF) concluded today with a...

Private sector deemed key to unlocking AfCFTA potential

The private sector’s role is vital to fully unlock...

Ethiopia Secures Deal to Restructure Eurobond Notes due 2024

Ethiopia has reached agreement in principle with Ad Hoc...

US to withdraw from dozens of UN, international organisations

United States President Donald Trump has announced that he...

At least 22 Ethiopian migrants killed in ‘horrific’ road crash

At least 22 migrants have been killed and 65...

Intra-African Trade Hits $220.3 Billion, but AfCFTA Rollout Lags

Africa is being urged to speed up implementation of...

China’s Top Diplomat Tours Africa with Focus on Strategic Trade Routes

China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour...

Abebe Aemro Selassie to Retire as Director of the African Department at the IMF

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund...

Election Board Launches Digital Voter and Candidate Registration System

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has launched...

Global Cooperation Is Showing Resilience in the Face of Geopolitical Headwinds

Global cooperation is proving resilient even as multilateralism continues...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img