The Ethiopian Premier League (EPL) is set to be staged across the country over the weekend with Adama City set to face defending champions Jimma Aba Jiffar while Mekele City face Dedebit and Ethiopia Coffee play against Dire Dawa City.
The EPL starts after a few months of taking a break, during which almost all clubs were busy in signing new players across the country and from abroad. In the opening fixtures, Sidama Coffee will take on Fasil City on home turf on Saturday. Both sides took part in different local cup ties which saw Sidama Coffee crowned winners of the Southern Castle Cup in Hawassa. Fasil City has also appointed a high profile coach Wubetu Abate after he managed Hawassa City for two years. Coach Wubetu, who has been busy in forming a squad with new players, was also invited to the Addis Ababa City Cup competition alongside Adama City and Jimma Aba Jiffar. Both had a good form in the last season of the EPL.
In other fixtures, Adama City will host defending champions Jimma Aba Jiffar on Sunday at Abebe Bikila Stadium. After Jimma’s heroics in the league last season, more than half of their squad dispersed to different clubs. However, the management decided to renew the squad signing experienced players. Sunday’s match against Adama City is not going to be easy for the champions; since after their promotion to top flight football, they are now highly regarded as a top rival club.
Ethiopia Coffee will host Dire Dawa, and St. George will play against newcomers Bahir Dar City whereas Shire Endeselassie will take on Woliata Dicha on home turf for the first time in their history. The other newly promoted South Police is scheduled to face Defense. Defense has won the Ethiopian championship after their win against Jimma Abba Jiffar in a penalty shootout.
Week One Ethiopian Premier League Fixtures
17/10/2018
Sidama Coffee vs. Fasil City
18/10/18
Adama City vs. Jimma Abba Jifar
Mekele City vs. Dedebit
Hawasa City vs. Welwalo Adigrat University
Ethiopia Coffee vs. Dire Dawa City
4/11/2018
St. George vs. Bahir Dar City
Shire Endeselassie vs. Woliata Dicha
South Police vs. Defense
