- St. George to face Dedebit in capital city derby
The weekend’s fixtures of the Ethiopian Premier league (EPL) will see postponed matches take place before the second round kicks off. Defending champions St. George will host Dedebit, while Jimma Aba jiffar entertains Woliata Dicha.
It has been a week since the first-round of fixtures in the EPL concluded. However, it is to be recalled that with various difficulties faced by the league, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has postponed fixtures for alternative days.
The Horsemen’s inconsistency was notable in the first-round of the fixtures collecting 22 points after playing 13 games. In light of current performances displayed by Dedebit, St. George will face a tough test from the league leaders which will be crucial to kick start the second leg of the campaign. The Blues were undefeated for the last consecutive seven matches till they lost against Jimma Aba Jiffar in Addis Ababa.
Dedebit have won eight matches, drew four and lost one match. This sees them collect much deserved 28 points. The defending champions, St. George, in a rescheduled encounter against Adama City in Addis Ababa last week, ended with a draw. Canaan Markneh gave his team the lead in the 26th minute but the visitors were dominated in the closing stages that led to an Abubakher Sanni equalizer in the 86th minute.
Elsewhere, Saturday’s fixtures will see Jimma Aba Jiffar take on Wolaita Dicha on home turf. The newcomers relatively in a good form, have won six matches, drawn four and lost four matches. Jimma, who are currently placed fifth, have 22 points to show for while Wolaita Dicha placed ninth have 16 points with a match in hand. The southern side Wolaita Dicha was in CAF Confederation recently. Wolaita, in a preliminary game played out against FC Zimamto — a Zanzibar-based football club — won 2-1 on aggregate to proceed to the second round.
Dedebit top the table with 28 points with a game in hand, followed by Mekele City with 25 points. Adama City sit third with 22 points while St. George are placed fourth with 22 points and a match in hand. Electric, Arba Minch and Dire Dawa are still in the relegation zone.
