Week nine matches of the Ethiopian Premier League (EPL) are to be staged this weekend across the country. St. George is to host Defense today while Jimma Aba Jiffar is to face Welwalo Adigrat at home turf. The match in the first fixture is crucial for both sides as St. George’s game will be a home one and Defense expects to extend their unbeaten run. Over the past two weeks, Defense prevailed against Adigrat and Dire Dawa City.
Jimma were struggling at first but eventually went to winning form. Jimma are placed third with 11 points and Welwalo Adigart follows with similar points, but beaten with goal difference.
Tomorrow’s fixtures will see Adama playing against Sidama Coffee and Dedebit taking on Ethiopia Coffee. Both sides are placed in the top and they are not to be beaten easily.
The champions are still on top form trailing Dedebit (a.k.a. the Blues) with 12 points, with two games in hand. On week eight, the Horsemen’s match against Welwalo Adigart University ended goalless.
The Blues are up to a good start, winning and drawing in four matches so far. On week eight, the Blues beat Electric 3-1, scoring all goals during the second half. Electric midfielder Al-Hassan Kalusha scored their lone goal in the 65th minute.
Meanwhile, after Ethiopia Coffee were defeated by Jimma Aba Jiffar 2-0 week seven, they returned to winning form by beating Woldia City 2-0 in Addis Ababa. But, in Wednesday’s Electric vs. Coffee match, a game postponed from week two, Electric won 2-1, and many fans were not happy with the performance they saw. The mid-week match revealed that newly-appointed Coffee manager Didier Gomes Da Rosa needed to come up with a better side.
Dedebit top the table with 16 points, St. George (with two games in hand) follow with 12 points. Jima Aba Jiffar and Welwalo Adigart come next with eleven points each. Woldia, Arba Minch and Wolaita Dicha are at the bottom of the table.
Week Nine EPL Fixtures
Saturday, 12/30/2017
Dire Dawa City vs Fasil City
St. George vs Defense
Jimma Aba Jiffar vs Welwalo Adigrat University
Sunday, 12/31/2017
Adama City vs Sidama Coffee
Hawasa City vs Mekele City
Wolaita Dicha vs Electric
Dedebit vs Ethiopia Coffee
Monday, 1/01/2018
Woldia City vs Arba Minch
