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.
Relegation threatened Woldya appoints Zelalem
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.
All 23rd week Ethiopian Premier League fixtures on Wednesday
The 23rd Ethiopian Premier League Wednesday’s fixtures biggest clash takes place in Adama Abebe Bikila stadium bringing home side Adama to a head on clash against visitors Mekele. Table toppers Jimma AbaJifar entertain relegation endangered Arbaminch.
Dawa Hutesa spearheads the strike force, in amazing form play maker Kennan Markneh comands the midfield and the famous home crowd from behind, hosts Adama appear to have an edge to victory thus staying among the real title contenders. A disciplined defense line that conceded only 10 goals so far in the season and a strike force that boasts each with six goals Amanuel G/Michael and Bismark Opang, Mekele is a real football to reckon thus with a good chance of returning home after a historic victory.
With seven wins nine draws and six defeats, Hawassa hosts visitors from Gondor, the rising soccer force Fasil. More dependent on team work than individual brilliancy famous for handling his players Wubetu Abate is facing a defensive genius in the name of head coach Mesay Teferi. The former Dicha coach is said to be having a good time with his new side thus in need of a win to build his confidence over his followers. Fasil is 7th with 33 points while three points down Hawassa sits 8th.
After five wins, two draws and a single defeat in the past eight consecutive outings league leaders with 39 points AbaJifar are expected to rob all three points from relegation threatened visitors Arbaminch camping three steps above the relegation zone.
Back in to action after a three month suspension head coach Negussie Desta leads his side Dedeit for a home derby match against in poor form Ethio-Electric while after two defeats in a row Wolayta Dicha entertains Sidama Bunna. Woldya and Saint George entertain former champions Ethiopia Bunna and Welwalo-Adigrat respectively.
How did Zirintusa, Konate and Kennedy go home?
Ugandan international Boban Zirintusa’s parting with Ethiopia Bunna without even a single game to the club is something that took everyone by sheer surprise. Tenth in the table with 27 points Sidama Bunna also parted ways with two foreign players.
The involvement of French head coach Didier Gomes all through the transfer saga starting from the scouting makes Zirintusa’s departure different. The 26 year old former Polokwane City mid fielder joined Ethiopia Bunna at the start of the league’s second round fixtures yet never touched the field donning the Brown Shirt and months after having a good time in Ethiopia he went back home for good. What a blessing could have been for an Ethiopian upcoming player to have that chance of months of trial under a French trainer. Zirintusa flew home with hundred thousand if not millions in his pocket while title hungry Ethiopia Bunna are dwelling sixth in the table with the crown far from sight. What a waste?
Sidama Bunna also kicked-out two foreign players for lack of competency and good sportsmanship. Among the highest paid players in the league Ben Mamadu Konate of Equatorial Guinea and team mate Ghanaian Kennedy Asia joined the team since the start of the new season yet hardly were in service until their departure in mutual consent. Kennedy appeared a starter in only two matches and in some games at the bench while Konate got chances early in the season but was side lined for months due to injury and decline of performance.
Despite a number of warnings given to both players they failed to respond thus newly appointed head coach Zeray Mulu showed them the way out. “I am sure it will give us a big lesson for the future and it is painful to deny a chance to young talent,” Zeray remarked. Though Sidama Bunna is a team under the mayor’s office that spends a lot of tax-payers’ money neither the signing bonus nor monthly salary is concealed to the public. This raises the following questions: Did they give back the money they collected? Is there any article clearly defining the parting of two parties? How come they simply shook hands and went home despite being under contract? These are miseries not only in two or three sides but thanks to the Federation a routine among all teams in Ethiopian Football.
