Ethiopians Roza Dereje and Kinde Atanaw p.roduced impressive victories at the Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso, a World Athletics Gold Label road race, in the eastern Spanish city.
In the women’s race Roza clocked 2:18:30 to move up to No. 8 on the all-time world list while pulling the next three finishers under 2:19, the first time four women have broken that barrier in the same race.
At 40 kilometers, Rosa lead in 1:55:04 alongside Birhane, with Cheruiyot one second adrift and Azmera, who finally joined the trio, for company. From there, Dereje began to step up her pace to open a sizeable margin on Cheruiyot and Birhane. But Azmera kept up the pressure.
Roza, who was third in this year’s London Marathon, kept her compatriot at bay to finish in 2:18:30, improving her lifetime best by 47 seconds to break into the all-time top-10. Azmera was next in 2:18:33, a massive 3:18 improvement for the 21-year-old.Berhane Dibaba came third in 2:18.46 to fill the podium as Ethiopia sweeping the medal table.
The men’s race was nearly as impressive, with the top-four all dipping under 2:05. By 35 kilometers, the lead pack was composed of Ethiopians Abebe Negewo Degefa, Alayew, Guye Adola, Kenya’s Kacheran and Turkey’s Ozbilen.
The 26-year-old Kinde broke the tape in 2:03:53 while Ozbilen clocked 2:04:16 to clip nearly a full minute from Mo Farah’s European record and lower his previous best by 1:11. Guye Adola completed a quality podium at 2:04:42 with Abebe Degefa next in 2:04:5, improving his career best by two minutes.
Valencia’s fast times to Roza, Kinde
Welwalo Adigrat, Wolayta Dicha to a flying start
Welwalo Adigrat and Wolayta Dicha took a flying start after a premier League new season opening massive victories over Sebeta Town and Sidama Coffee respectively. Kassaye Arage’s second spell debut match ended in a frustrating defeat.
Four of his foreign players in action Yohannes Sahle returned home with a magnificent 3-1 away victory over hosts Sebeta. It must be the most unlucky day to Coach Wubetu Abate who hosted Welwalo in Addis Ababa stadium for the home venue still under construction.
A red card to Addis Tesfaye seven minutes into the second half, Welwalo’s new face striker Semere Haftay came from the bench to the second four minutes later then the final nail on the coffin at injury time once again Semere at the score sheet. A neutral venue, an early red card and the absence of the four expatriates for silly work permit technicality, lucky boss Yohannes runaway with all three points.
Though the 2-0 victory is in front of home supporters forget not it was against last season’s Premier League runner-up Sidama Coffee. Baye Gezahne and recently joined from Woldya Edris Saeed the goal scorers, Zeray Mulu blamed the field for his side’s loss while Gebrekristos Birara equally disappointed for the venue suggested they could have performed well but for the poor quality of the field.
Ethiopia Coffee supporters are also in disappointment for they lost to Sehul in the new season’s opening fixture. Though it was an away encounter many the traveled supporters are unhappy for the team’s performance. Had it not been for goalie Teklemariam Shanko’s individual brilliancy, the goal tally would have been higher. “We are confident of what Kassaye can deliver,” one ardent supporter remarked.
Dedebit entertains Electric in Super League
The 2019/20 Ethiopian Super League’s new season kick-off date is the 15th of December. Thirty six teams are in three groups with the top finishers of each group vouching for automatic promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Three former Premier League teams: Ethio-Electric, Dedebit and Weldya in serious contention of promotion, group (A) season opening match brings heavy weights Electric and Dedebit to a head on clash in Mekele. Through two seasons in the woods Electric is rumored to be in sheer determination to promotion, with foreign players in the squad Dedebit appears to have better chance of returning to the upper tier. 
Former Premier League side Weldya Town entertains Federal Police in the country’s number one venue Sheik Mohammed Al-Amoudi Stadium while Mekele Cup’s strong side Soloda Adwa travels to North of the Capital to visit Gelan Town. Long in quest of promotion Wello Kombolcha is once again in action hosting newly promoted side Akaki Kality.
Last season’s strong promotion contender Legetafo-Legedadi takes visitors Dessie Town in the season opening matches. Having a good record in the Mekele City Cup and is expected to mount a strong promotion contention Axum Town faces visitors Semen-Shoa Debreberhan.
Saint Gorge Vs Sebeta, Coffee Vs AbaJifar
Addis Ababa City Cup champion Saint George entertains visitors Sebeta Town on Tuesday while Ethiopia Coffee hosts former champions Jimma AbaJifar on Wednesday.
After a unconvincing away goalless draw in the season opening match against new comers Wolkite Town last Sunday, Saint George home supporters are anxiously awaiting the showdown against visitors Sebeta Town not yet recovered from the shocking 3-1 home defeat to Welwalo Adigrat.
Spearheaded by two foreign strikers: Atusay Endo and Zabo Teguy, Saint George appeared to miss the service of back to good form Salhadin Said. WIth few goals and hardly an impressive performance, Serbian Coach Srden Zivojnov is under an obligation of winning the game on Wednesday in order to get off the hot seat.
Though denied to have the service of his three foreign players due to a silly technicality, Webetu needs to at least share a point to give club supporters some confidence. A season opening 3-1 home defeat is by all means hard to swallow for the club supporters therefore Sebeta players are under pressure to come with something to show off. What a showdown on Wednesday.
Thursday brings you Kassaye Arage’s Ethiopia Coffee to a head on clash against visitors Jimma Abajifar in Addis Ababa Stadium. Just one win and two goals in the past six matches including the City Cup, Ethiopia Coffee’s season opening 1-0 away defeat to Sehul-Shere led supporters to a huge disappointment therefore Kassaye is under a must win situation.
Former Ethiopia Coffee defender later Coach Paulos Getachew (Mango) in the hot seat, AbaJifar is in search of its first three points in the new season. His three expatriates to be available fresh and in hunger of a win, AbaJifar have everything at least in theory to return home with a win.
