Nigerian Okiki Afolabi took the driver’s seat at the Ethiopian Premier League leading the top scorer’s chart while rejuvenated target man Dawa Hutesa and title holder Getaneh Kebede share the runner-up spot. One man strike force Electric’s Al-Hasen Kalusha is fourth.
Despite a goalless away draw against strong side Fasil on Wednesday, hardworking Afolabi is still the match winner for emerging side Jimma AbaJifar currently sitting second in the table. Afolabi is on top of the scorer’s list with ten goals.
Thanks to mid fielder Kenaan Markeneh’s vision and telepathic reading, the former Saint George front man turned into a deadly strike force for Adama. Dawa Hutesa took his goal tally to nine, rubbing shoulders with former record holder, Getaneh Kebede from Dedebit. Dawa is amazing because he gets better in every match. Dedebit lost in two of the last three matches the latest on Wednesday against Hawassa.
The one man army Ghanian Al-hasen Kalusha once again rose from the dust to score a much valued winning goal for Electric thus taking his goal tally to eight. Many suggest that Kalusha is the best marksman.
About six seasons with three teams in Ethiopian football Nigerian Samuel Sannumi is getting better and better, currently delivering his marksmanship for Ethiopia Bunna. With seven goals to his name, the latest against Mekelakya on Wednesday Sannumi appears in contention for his second top scorer of the year award.
Currently with Sidama Bunna Menyelu Wondemu, the head hunter from Mekele Ghanaian Bismark Opong and Addis Gidey each have six goals.

At 38 years of age former Ethiopian national team, Saint George, Sebeta and Ethiopian Insurance midfielder Mulualem Regasa’s current performance at the country’s biggest football stage: Ethiopian Premier League, deserves more than casual applause and appreciation. Mulualem should be praised as a real legend of football. Not only has he played for the national team and the successful Saint George, he is a living example of self-discipline and perseverance.
Currently among the most important players to grace Hawassa, Mulualem is a leader on the team. He is the most experienced player and inspires the team by example.
Famous for his perfect long passes, game reading, vision and regulating the games tempo, Mulualem is a rarity in Ethiopian football and a big asset to Hawassa, thanks to the visionary head coach Wubetu Abate who took a huge risk by signing from the Super League and two seasons ‘grazing on green land’.
With over 14 years and four Premier League titles at Saint George, and nearly a dozen years for the Ethiopian National team at all levels, the play maker was considered an old gun when he first left the Premier League. However, he has re-invented himself after a stint with Sebeta in the more aggressive and physical Super League. He helped Sebeta to the upper tier and then joined his mentor Asrat Haile at relegated Ethiopia Insurance in its quest to promotion. However that season with Insurance frustrated he retired for two years until he reversed course and joined Hawassa.
After two months he was as fit as someone could be at that age. For Hawassa he has become a central playmaker, marshaling the midfield and scoring game winning goals. Mulualem’s two winning goals over Diredawa and AbaJifar helped Hawassa rise to 8th place with 25 points. Mulualem is a living example for upcoming footballers that football is not about counting years but passion and discipline.

FIFA has called on the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) to hold its elections by no later than 3rd June 2018. The term of the current EFF office ended on 10th October 2017.
But before then, the world’s football body wants EFF to convene an extraordinary general assembly to adopt an electoral code, elect a new electoral commission and a new appeals committee.
The polls have been postponed four times previously amidst persistent wrangles over the electoral process – perceived by some quarters as skewed towards the incumbent president Juneidi Basha. After the last postponement in March, the electoral committee’s chairperson Zerihun Mekonnen sought FIFA’s intervention to help build consensus.
The Zurich based body sent an assessment mission on 12th May which heard from stakeholders including four candidates for the top seat and came up with the above directives. The mission noted that “the current situation of the EFF is not conducive for the holding of a fully democratic and independent election of the EFF executive committee in accordance with requirements of FIFA.”
“In particular, the members of the electoral committee and the members of the electoral appeals committee appear to have a direct stake in the outcome of the elections, since they are at the same time representatives of the EFF members that will be voting at the electoral general assembly.” FIFA now wants to be consulted by EFF in every step they make implanting the reforms. In future they want EFF statutes to be changed to conform to requirements of the FIFA statutes.

After winning eleven in a row Baherdar finished the first round of the 2018 Ethiopian Super League on top of the sixteen team table. Shere-Endaselassie and Addis Ababa came in second and third respectively, separated only by goal differences.
A goal less away draw with rival Addis Ababa over the weekend caped a great run for Baherdar as they appear to be a strong contender for  promotion.  They now boast an impressive record of 32 points from nine wins, five draws and an one defeat at the hands of Burayu.  Hammering in 24 goals while conceding only nine, Baherdar’s only shortcoming seems to be the lack of a designated striker capable of producing goals.Three players scored half of Baherdar’s 24 goals. Wosenu Ali, SaleamlakTegne and EndaleKebede each had four.  Muluken Tariku and FikremichaelAlemu both have six. “Baherdar needs a match winner accomplished striker,” a critic suggested. “In the second round they go against important rivals:  Shere-Endeselassie, Addis Ababa, Burayu and Sebeta at home, still they seem like they have the best shot of the automatic promotion bid,” a critic said. Shere and Addis Ababa each collected 30 points and are rubbing shoulders at the runner up spot with only a single goal difference. Shere has 11 goals while Addis ten. Shere  has scored thirteen goals in the last five matches and they hammered Federal Police 5-2. They hope to become Tigray’s third representative next to Mekele and Welwalo – Adigrat. Former Premier League side Addis Ababa is the other strong side in quest of promotion.