St George’s grip on the top of the BetKing Ethiopia Premier League table slipped for the second week running when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hawassa City on Wednesday as a resurgent Sidama Coffee romped to a 1-0 win over Mekelakeya.
The draw will be good news for Bahir Dar City, who have been gaining ground on St. George, with only one point separating the two teams going into this game.
The result means St. George now has 52 points, with Bahir Dar City on 50 points. The Tona Bees will move into first place if they can secure a win in their next game.
St. George and Hawassa City played out a goalless first half, but the Horsemen shot into the lead at the start of the second half through the exciting Cherinet Gugsa on 46 minutes.
Their 1-0 lead, though, lasted for only 15 minutes before Hawassa City found an equalizer in the 71st minute through a penalty converted by Tebarek Hefemo.
Hawassa move up to fifth on 34 points, the same as Ethiopia Coffee, who are currently in fourth position.
Sidama Coffee, meanwhile, had been flirting with relegation the whole season and were stuck in the 14th position for a long time but seem to be going through a renaissance of sorts.
Last season, the team produced the league’s top scorer in Yigezu Bogale and was strengthened with the midseason acquisition of veteran striker Saladhin Seid.
However, both Bogale and the now-injured Saladhin Seid struggled in front of goal this season, hence Sidama’s attacking woes until a few weeks ago, when they found a new hero.
Philip Adjah has stepped into the fray and has scored in the last six games to help his team to some victories.
Adjah’s goal against Mekelakeya in the 33rd minute was enough to earn Sidama three valuable points, which shoots them up to 12th position and level on 30 points with Dire Dawa City (11th). (Vandyke Sports)
