Ethiopian Football Federation’s face saving effort to resume the suspended league season failed to come true as Ethiopia Bunna rejected the move to play against visitors Mekele SebaEnderta behind closed doors. Back from Paris following a working visit along with his vice Colonel Awol Abdurakim and the General Secretary participating in FIFA annual congress, Essayas Jirra’s led cabinet faced the most bizarre situation in its three year tenure.
Following a four hour discussion with Ethiopia Bunna board and Supporters’ Association representatives at Capital Hotel, Issayas Jirra appeared in public announcing that he reached an agreement to resume the suspended match between hosts Ethiopia Bunna and visitors Mekele Town on Friday under a closed gate. “It all started at Mekele stadium and the match official denying the presence of a life size banner that condemns visitors Ethiopia Bunna. And I would like to apologize for what happened three months ago,” EFF President Essayas announced.
Despite showing a bravado effort to turn the long in-brewing storm in a face saving performance, Ethiopia Bunna with number of Premier League sides behind in huge support stood ground rejecting the decision to play in an empty stadium. “Why Ethiopia Bunna would face a harsh tribute despite committing no wrong doing,” alive and in a vigorous mood to lead war against the federation Board Chair Person Lieutenant Fekade Mamo told reporters earlier.
Immersed in a very critical situation the Federation is now swaying here and there seemingly looking for government interference to settle the matter. CAF has also demanded list of teams that will take part in next year Champions League and Confederation Cup participants earlier than 30th June therefore completion of the season by all means the only option.
In its latest announcement the much talked about Ethiopia Bunna versus Mekele Town showdown in Addis Ababa takes place on Tuesday.
Ethiopia Bunna takes tough stance against EFF
Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer set Valencia course record
Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba, were overwhelming winners at the Valencia 15km Banco Mediolanum, beating quality fields at the IAAF Bronze Label event.
Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer and Kenya’s Dorcas Jepchumba, both paced by Morocco’s Hassane Ahouchar, were the early leaders in the women’s race, which was held alongside the men’s event.
The opening and slightly uphill first 5km of 15:26 suggested that the top contenders could challenge the Spanish 15km all-comers’ record of 46:14 set by Florence Kiplagat en route to breaking the then world half marathon record in Barcelona four years ago.
However, the speed decreased in the following kilometers as the leaders covered the second 5km in 15:52, bringing them to 10km in 31:18. By then, the third-placed runner, Jebesa Zenebu Fikadu of Ethiopia, was some way behind the leaders with 32:45.
The key move came shortly after the 12th kilometre when – still paced by Ahouchar – Zeineba managed to break away from a tiring Kimeli and then upped her pace over the closing stages to finish inside 47 minutes with a course record of 46:52. Kimeli followed 40 seconds later while Fikadu secured the third spot in 49:15.
The 20-year-old victor is one of the 20 quickest ever women over the half marathon courtesy of her 1:05:46 career best set in Ras Al Khaimah last February to take third. More than 10,000 runners took part in the event.
Sentayehu Mengestu leads Super League goal hunt
Steering Wolkite Town to promotion Ahmed Hussein is the leading top scorer of the Super league followed by Sentayehu Mengestu of Arbaminch Town. Most of the teams in the league working on their defensive line and the Coaches’ plan more to splitting points in away matches than going for a win, critics suggested the goal draught manifests on how the current season was full o0f frustrations.
Little known Ahmed Hussein is said to be the most important player of Wolkite for he is a phenomenal striker who sometimes singlehandedly guide the side to a much important away win scoring goals out of the blue. “These days’ winning away match is almost an impossible task for any visitor side. But thanks to Ahmed who is capable of eyeing goal scoring chances and taking fast decisions once reaching the box, the team’s long awaited dream is on the verge of turning true,” a team mate revealed.
Ahmed rumored to join Wolayta Dicha in the coming new season and popular among fans for number of assists to team mates. Ahmed and strike partner Habetamu tadesse scored more than half of Wolkite Town’s total 41 goal tally out of which Ahmed scored 13.
Flourished under lately appointed Coach Mesay Teferi, Sentayehu Mengestu managed to score 12 goals to take the runner-up spot. Five players: Ethiopia Medin one target man Abduletif Murad, Woldiya Town’s Tesfaye Negash, Wolkite’s Habtamu Tadesse, Daniel Dawit of Nekemte Town and Sebeta’s deadly goal machine Natniel Ganchula are joint third each scoring 11 goals.
Dereje Belay pipes Wolkite to Premier League
Ethiopia Medin’s season long campaign of Premier League promotion came to an end following the 2-1 away defeat to home side Dilla Town last Sunday. Four points and five goals clear of the top table Wolkite Town is already more than half way in to promotion despite two fixtures to go.
Though the two sides face each other on the final week end of the league next Sunday, Wolkite could wrap up things today in an away match against humble side Negele Town. A draw is more than enough for the former Defense Force and Ethiopian national team defender turned Coach Dereje Belay to share a place in Ethiopian Football history book as the second Coach to help promote three Super League sides next to Mekonen W/ Yohannes.
Fourteen wins, three draws and three defeats Wolkite is in control of the Super League group (B) table with 45 points and five goals thus as good as declaring champion of the group and securing a place at next year top tier. Sacked from Medin mid-season last year, it appears the right time for a cold revenge for Dereje who previously led Sebeta Town and Jimma AbuBuna in to the Premier League. “We are going to finish business against Negele today then ready for a historic win in front of our home supporters against Medin in the group closing match next Sunday” a senior committee member remarked.
What is remarkable about the promotion is Medin’s failure despite commanding a superior annual budget nearly triple of that of Wolkite.
