Ethiopian international Salhadin Said is back in to action after nearly a full season absence due to serious injury. Saint George appeared to discover the right replacement for left foot wizard full back Abebaw Butako. The Ghanaian defender Edwin Frempong Manso could also play an accomplished central defense.
Five years in Egyptian League including a league title with Al-Ahly, salhadin’s return home to lead Saint George’s striker force turned a disaster for he could never recover from the injury he sustained in Egypt. Many even suggest that it is because of Salhadin’s absence Saint George finished last season without trophy for the first time in seven years.
Nursing his injury for lone and a serious medical treatment in Germany the diehard striker has already joined his team mates in their preseason camp in Debrezeit Yednekachew Tessema Academy. According to sources close to the club the Portuguese Head Coach Carlos Pinto a huge fan of team work might not be happy with Salahadin’s individual attitude and having number of options in attack he may not have a regular place if he couldn’t make it at the start of the season.
Already a proven goal hunter who twice won Ethiopian Premier League top scorer of the season Getaneh Kebede and upcoming striker Abel Yalew both new signees from Dedebit, Ume Mohammed and Nigerian import Alex Orotoma in the squad Pinto have number of option in his strike force therefore Salahdin to battle for a regular place. “I am in good condition and in less than three weeks t I will be ready for real action” Salhadin told reporters.
In the mean time Saint George signed its fifth foreign player from Ghana. The former Ashante Kotoko and Liberty Professional defender joined the squad in their preseason for a week and many suggested he could deliver so much for the team for he is not also a left foot full back but more than good enough in Central defense. “I am waiting to watch the pairing of Aschalew Girma and Edwin Frempong in Central defense” a coach who watched the team in friendly matches remarked.

The 26 side two round Ethiopian Premier League new season kicks off over the week end with three of the opening fixtures postponed. The second ever regional side next to Hawassa defending champion Jimma AbaJifar is the defending champion while Super League champion Debub Police, runner up Baherdar and third place Shere Endaselassie are the newly promoted sides that join the upper tier.
The defending champion AbaJifar showdown against home side Adama in Adama Abebe Bikila stadium is the opening fixtures’ biggest clash today. AbaJifar without their newly appointed head Coach Zemaraiam W/Giorgis due to a one year suspension. The Veteran Coach now the team’s technical director Worku Dergeba is expected to lead the team. The hosts Adama is also under new boss Sisay Abraham but expected to field a squad full of senior players that signed new contracts in the latest transfer market.
Diredawa’s visit to City Cup winner Ethiopia Bunna is the biggest match that takes place in Addis Ababa stadium. A moral boosting City Cup trophy, French Coach Didier Gomes on the dugout and five foreign players in the squad, Ethiopia Bunna is the clear favorite to win the match against Yohannes Sahle led Diredawa.
New boss Addise Kassa in the hot seat hosts Hawassa entertains Welwalo Adigrat one of the biggest spenders in players transfer market. Veteran Coach Tsegaye Kidanemariam is likely to kick start the new season with a famous away win for Hawassa is said a team full of young and inexperienced players.
Former champions Dedebit FC now based in Mekele kicks the new season with a derby match against Mekele Ketema. Defending champion Gebremedin Haine in command and most of the squad members better known each other Mekele is the favorite for all three points.
The postponed matches take place on 5th of November Saint George entertaining Baherdar, champion Debub Police hosting Mekelakya and Wolayta Dicha travelling North to clash against home side Shere Endaselasse.