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.