Ethiopia Premier League: Dedebit to face St George in early title showdown

Week 12 fixtures of the Ethiopian Premier League (EPL) are to be staged over the weekend across the country. Title contenders Dedebit (the Blues) will face defending champions St. George, while Ethiopia Coffee are to take on Hawassa City at Addis Ababa Stadium.

Marred by inconsistences, EPL matches continue ending in draws during the current campaign. Point differences mean that a chance to win a 90-minute game is equal for table toppers as well as those dangling in the relegation zone.

Sunday’s fixtures will see the Blues taking on the Horsemen in Addis Ababa. The Blues have so far remained unstoppable, and Sunday’s match will be decisive in extending their unbeaten run.  It will not be an easy game for Dedebit as they are playing against the Horsemen.

Week 11 saw Dedebit thrash newcomers Welwalo Adigrat 4-1 at Addis Ababa Stadium. Midfield maestro Shimekit Gugessa opened the score sheet in the 7th minute, followed by top goal scorer Getaneh Kebede’s 23rd, 38th (penalty) goals. Full-back Seyoum Tesfaye scored the fourth goal on the hour mark. The lone goal for the northern side came from former Defense and Electric forward Mulualem Tilahun in the 44th minute.

Having collected 25 points, Sunday’s match will be a tough encounter for the Blues who will be facing off the defending champions. However, the Horsemen have not been performing well in their last four games. They only won two matches playing against Jimma Aba Jiffar and Fasil City while two matches ended in a draw.

On Wednesday, St. George traveled to Fasilades Stadium and beat Fasil City 2-0. The defending champion’s winger, Behailu Assefa, found the back of the net in the 1st minute and Abdulkarim Nikema scored the second goal in the 58th minute. St. George are placed 2nd with 20 points.

Elsewhere, Ethiopia Coffee will face off Hawassa City on home turf on Saturday.  It will be a vital match for Coffee to find themselves on the right track. Another fixture will see bottom-of-the-table duo Electric and Dire Dawa City slugging it out.

Dedebit top the table with 25 points, while St. George (with one game in hand) follow with 20 points. Adama City are 3rd with 18 points, followed by Fasil City who have mustered 16 points. Arba Minch, Electric and Dire Dawa City are fighting to avoid relegation.

Week 12 EPL fixtures

Saturday 20/01/18

Ethiopia Coffee vs. Hawassa City

Electric vs. Dire Dawa City

Sunday 21/01/2018

Defense vs. Mekelle City

Jimma Aba Jiffar vs. Woldia City

Welwalo Adigrat University vs. Wolaita Dicha

Arba Minch vs. Adama City

St. George vs. Dedebit

Monday 22/1/2018

Sidama Coffee vs. Fasil City