It was almost a magical evening for the veteran Woldya striker Andualem Negussie popularly known as Abega. However, Ethiopia Bunna managed an incredible comeback to get through the Ethiopian Knock out championship round one qualification after a penalty shootout.
In his debut match on Friday, newly appointed head coach Zelalem Shiferaw appeared to bring about a revived morale, Woldya was spearheaded by veteran goal hunter Andualem Negussie. Thanks to the veteran target man Andualem, the visitors almost took the vociferous home crowd by sheer surprise. Of course Ethiopia Bunna was the first to take the lead through Nigerian fast winger Samuel Sanumi just eight minutes in to the game. Andualem’s solo effort paid-off nine minutes later with an equalizer then just before the whistle he added the second and the stadium was as quite as a funeral procession.
Back in the second half Ethiopia Bunna tuned to an all-out attack and the visitors hardly made it past their own half, Abubaker Nesru found the back of the net for the all-important equalizer thus a penalty shootout decided. Backed by the die-hard supporters hardly noticing the pouring rain Ethiopia Bunna became the second side to book a place in the final eight next to Arbaminch which knocked out Welwalo in Adigrat.
In the other knock-out fixtures league leaders Jimma AbaJifar faces home side Dedebit FC while in the Southern region derby match Hawassa hosts Sidama Bunna. In good form Mekele travels to the capital to face relegation threatened Ethio-Electric.
Ethiopia Bunna books knock-out quarter final place
Negussie Desta plans a magic comeback
Three months and five defeats later Dedebit’s head coach Negussie Desta returns to the hot seat in the home derby match against in-relegation nightmare Ethio-Electric on Wednesday. Dedebit slipped down from the league top spot to fifth in the table with 33 points. “I assessed so many loopholes in my absence and I will do everything to correct things so that we will be back in the driving seat,” Negussie Desta remarked.
Many suggested the home defeat at the hands of Jimma AbaJifar triggered the downslide of Dedebit for two of the team’s most important individuals Coach Negussie Desta and leading top striker Getaneh Kebede suspended for three months and four matches respectively for a major disciplinary debacle. Unbeaten Dedebit was on top of the league table until that unlucky 13th week fixture and since that 2-1 home defeat and the strong disciplinary slap from the federation everything has gone wrong.
It is a real irony how a team that boasts a number of big name players the likes of African Cup final veterans: Seyoum Tesfaye, Asrat Megersa, Berhanu Bogale and Aynalem Hailu could be left like a ship without a captain following the absence of Negussie and Getaneh. Nevertheless assistant Getu Teshome’s caretaker coaching short spell turned a nightmare with two wins, one draw and five defeats in nine matches.
Though it is just six points difference between the top spot and title contention so a comeback is not out of the question, Negussie appears in need of a miracle to stay on course of the crowded title race comprised of at least six teams.
Relegation threatened Woldya appoints Zelalem
Zelalem Shiferaw nick named “Morinho” is back from months of unemployment to Premier League action as head coach to in relegation nightmare Woldya. Zelalem’s parted ways with Diredawa in mutual agreement following the team’s poor performance despite hundreds of millions of Birr spent on the players’ transfer market.
Zelalem who helped Diredawa to survive relegation last season was expected to perform a miracle signing eleven new faces including three foreign footballers; amongst them the highest paid players in the Premier League. Only two wins in thirteen consecutive matches and team supporters questioning whether the players’ transfer saga was genuine, Zelalem opted for an easy way out and resigned after a mutual agreement with the club. His assistant Simon Abay replaced the hot seat but Diredawa stays bottom of the table as favorites to go down next season.
With all that in the record the former Debub Police, Sidama Bunna, Hawassa, Adama, Dedebit and a national team short spell assistant to Gebremedhen Haile is appointed new head coach to Woldya currently 15th in the table with 20 points from 22 matches. Coach Zemariam W/Giorgis and defensive midfielder Biruk Kalbore are suspended for a year and six matches respectively, Zelalem who failed to build a humble side from his own selection at Diredawa, is expected to face a real challenge in helping Woldya to a safe passage. Six defeats including the 3-0 home thrashing and two draws in the past eight outings, recovering players’ winning morale and supporters’ confidence plus convincing the City Administration Office to commitment are the priorities among list of problems in need of Zelalem’s immediate attention.
Mekele throws away famous home win against Saint George
Defending champions Saint George missed the chance to claim top of the Premier League table sharing a point with home side Mekele on Friday. Diredawa managed an all-important narrow home win to run away from last place.
Mekele threw away a three point victory conceding a goal seven minutes in to the final whistle. Considering the host’s strong defense Amanuel G/Michael’s 74th minute goal could steer them to a win and close the gap with the table toppers. Nevertheless Abdulkerim Mohammed’s final minute equalizer helped Saint George split a point thus earning four points in four days and remaining second in the table with 37 points. One of the emerging soccer forces in the league season, Mekele needs to focus on each and every home encounter to remain in title contention. “We missed more than three points for a win could have given us a strong moral boosting” remarked a player after the frustrating home draw.
A famous 1-0 home win over visitors Wolayta Dicha, hosts Adama frog leaped to 4th in the table with 36 points from 22 matches. In top form Kenaan Markneh was the hero of the day scoring his seventh goal this season. Dicha’s second away defeat in four days happened on Friday when it lost to home side Diredawa. The hosts bulldozed out of bottom of the league table to sit 12th with 22 points from 22 matches. Bereket Samuel hammered in the winning goal at the 64th minute. Wolayta Dicha stayed 10th with 27 points.
