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Electric players on the run
Saint George in the making
By Michael Samson
Why is Electric, the only club in the country to have the best youth
system for the last three decades, unable to keep its players for
long? Triple winner two seasons ago, the club stood 6th in the league
table, the worst in the last four years.
The 40-year-old electric club is now in big chaos since 13 of the
players are said to be out of contract. Being out of the contract is
not the big problem since it is time for the contract expiry in every
club. But according to the weekly “Athena” sports newspaper those
players have decided to switch to other clubs for a better salary and
satisfaction. Out of these 13 players some are the very best not only
for the club but also for the Ethiopian national team.
Ibrahim Husein, the fast rising midfielder who impressed the sports
funs in his national team debut against Niger and the only player to
be raised on the Guinea decisive encounter, is said to be one of the
deserters. Just a year in the club, Ibrahim’s frustration came when
the club denied him the transfer money for no reason. Mesfin Assefa,
the equally rising midfield star, is also said to buy out his contract
for he has a remaining one year service with Electric. The muscular
West African type Mesfin is rumored to link with Saint George, the
only club capable enough to raise the 100000-buyout fee. Daniel
Habtamu, who had been substituted at the week end Electric Vs Saint
George encounter, is also the other top defender on the way to Saint
George for 30000 ETB signing fee on the table.
The most seasoned goalkeeper Tsega-Z-ab Asegedom is also in the
transfer list to change side to Trans Ethiopia for 20000 ETB. Tsega
and one time best defensive midfielder Yared Getachew are said to have
frustrated as the club’s promise of permanent employment has not
materialized for years. Yared, now out of his first team, feels that
the club is no more interested in him. The other players who came up
in the rank midfielders Hailu Admassu (China), Alemayehu Dissasa and
Mesfin Demissie are not to stay with the club for the coming season.
As the “Athena” news put it they have vowed not to extend their
contract with Electric. Hailu is expected to join his dream-team,
Coffee, while Alemayehu is to switch to Banks.
The players from Dire Dawa, Aglan Zeiad and Tadesse Teka’s youngest
brother of long serving Fekadu Teka, are in the list to move to the
clubs. Mugher is said to contact former national team player Ziead’s
son Aglan for a two year signing with a 20000 ETB to go altogether.
In the meantime the newly crowned premier league champion Saint George
signed Nyala’s forward, Ermias, paying 30000ETB for a two-year
contract. Ermias whose national team performance earned him so many
admirers, is said to lead the transfer list in many clubs.
The Saints defend their title
gallantly
Arba Minch wins the championship, loses the title
One
of the closest and most memorable title races for years ended with
Saint George clinching the league championship with a 2-1 victory over
archrivals Ethiopian Coffee. Actually Coffee was not the cup
contender; rather Arba Minch, the season’s surprise package were the
one who just knocked on the historical door but failed to get
through. Arba Minch were clear favorites just a month ago when the
championship short circuited for the national duty with Saint George
having two remaining matches against city rivals Electric and
Ethiopian Coffee. Arba Minch sat on top of the table with a point
clear and final home match against Trans. Since they won all their
home games through out the season, Trans’ encounter was taken just as
a formality. On the contrary the Saints were not expected to win both
games for the ruthlessness of both rivals. But Saint George, the most
popular club in the country with a tremendous number of championships,
surprised every one winning the league title for the forth time in six
years.
The start of the game on Thursday was so full of sparkles that just 15
minutes into the game the notorious Coffee defender, Andargachew, and
Saint George’s striker Muluken were sent out of the match after the
referee awarded them red cards. The Saints in high preparation for
long and tested over the weekend when they defeated highly competent
Electric 1-0, started their battle preferring to attack from the very
beginning. Their attacking option paid just 20 minutes into the game
when Dawit Mebratu opened the score line. The capacity crowd went
silent for a second before the Saints started their popular chant. It
was 1-0 at the first half break.
Coffee came back in high spirit and took the upperhand while the
Saints retreated to defend their one goal lead. When Arba Minch’s 2-0
lead was announced through the public address, the Saint’s fans gasped
in frustration though their team were in good shape. But their retreat
called for Coffee’s slaughter. When the equalizer, a brilliant
overhead chip from Yordanos Abay to get home by a header from Samson
Michael the sound asleep Coffee supporters erupted the Stadium, it was
as if they won the double. Coffee’s sole purpose of tripping their
arch rival came true not only the fans but also the players became
wild to the extent of orchestrating the crowd chant and even missing
best goal scoring chances.
The two Kenyan internationals busy running in front and defensive, mid
fielder Getu in full control, Saints fought with determination. Coffee
fully controlled the second half and, sure of crushing their rivals’
dream, their strikers came closer and closer short of finding the net.
When the fourth referee showed the added three minutes, it was routine
that Arba Minch was the champion. When man of the match, Dawit Mebratu,
started running in the left wing, no body gave him attention until he
reached the touchline and sent the ball low to the penalty area. Four
Saint George attackers went slide to get the ball. It was Eric Muranda,
the Kenyan international, who came lucky to touch the ball into the
net. The loudest ever volcano erupted to send the crowd wild and start
the fire crack work. Just seconds before the final whistle, Saint
George-imported player, Muranda, scored the winning goal to win his
first premier league gold medal and the coveted trophy. It was a
fantastic closing for such a frustrating season.
Arba Minch, the true champion without a trophy, took the second place
with 55 points thus winning the Silver medal while Coffee for third
took the Bronze; the fair play award went to Adama. The Dire Dawa born
goal poachers Yordanos and Ahmed Jundi came joint top scorers to claim
the money prize.
Mugher Crushs
Saint George to Win Knockout Title
When
it comes to volleyball, Mugher Cement is the country’s un-formidable
team since recent years. After Electric and Coffee’s the 1990s heavy
weights are out of the picture for different reasons (Electric
disbanded and Coffee neglected), Mugher Cement came into the high
light to dominate the sport with no one to contend for the title.
The season’s three championship trophies in the bag, Mugher reached
for last weeks Addis Ababa Volleyball knock out cup final against
Saint George at the Arat Kilo Gymnasium. When the final whistle blew
it was Mugher who crushed their contender Saint Geroge 3-0.
The first round with Mugher’s domination at the highest came to an end
in 25-17 while the second round, more of a close contest, ended 25-22.
At this round the Saints even managed to lead the score line showing
their best tricks and earth rocking smashes. Thanks to Mitku Loha,
Atnafu Regge and Berhanu Gechamo’s all out attack, Mugher lept their
lead finishing 25-21. The season’s triple champions took their
quadruple to prove that no one is there in a throwing distance.
Ethiopian Coffee also took the women knock out championship crushing
the cup finalist zone 3 in a 3-1 score line. Winning the rounds
(25-10) (25-15) (25-16) (22-25), it seems Coffee are the best out fit
in the women’s volleyball. The season’s best player, Coffee’s Emebet
Getachew, and Addis Lemenih were top guns for the memorable victory
while zone three’s Elzabet and Hualashet showed determination but
their rivals proved no matches for them.
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Monday
July 21,2003
