Ethiopian Olympic team takes top spot
Seyoum on his way to write history
By Michael Samson
Binyam, the young Wonji striker, found himself in the, up until now,
unfamiliar position of Ethiopian soccer hero after scoring an
injury-time winning strike against the visiting Angolan Olympic side.
A newcomer to the Ethiopian Premier League and a national team
reserve, the young forward was substituted for the injured Debrom
Hagos. With just twenty minutes remaining before the final whistle, he
alertly ran onto the ball inside the Angolan penalty box and sent a
devastating left footed blast into the back of the net. The goal
sealed any hope the Angolans had of securing a scoreless draw.
Despite the absence of three of his regulars (goalkeeper Sadat Jemal,
defensive midfielder Getu Teshome, and playmaking Ashenafi Girma),
coach Seyoum Abate was able to put together a relatively strong team
that maintained the upper hand throughout the game. The visitors
appeared as though they intended to wage an all-out attack in the
first half with the intent of scoring the opener, and then following
that up with strong defensive play in the second. The plan never
materialized and the Angolans soon seemed to be content with settling
for a draw.
The Ethiopian side were intent on nothing less than a victory, as it
kept the ball for considerable periods on its opponents half. At
intermission they left the field having created four prime
goal-scoring opportunities that they were unfortunately unable to
capitalize upon. It was after the Angolans initial plan was thwarted
that the visitors reverted to the more defensive strategy of securing
a draw, a plan that almost succeeded had it not been for the late game
heroics of the young Binyam who came off the bench to give all those
in attendance a most memorable Christmas gift two minutes into injury
time.
In the second half it was more of the same as the determined
Ethiopians went forward but no one could seem to find the target.
After just ten minutes of play, the home team missed four more
chances. The crucial juncture of the game came when an Angolan
midfielder received his marching orders from the referee half an hour
before the final whistle. Syoum’s squad could not exploit the
situation, however, until the dying minutes of the match.
The day’s best news came later when the Moroccan Olympic team that
traveled to Kampala settled in a goalless draw, leaving the Ethiopian
side alone on top of group three with six points. The group favorite,
Morocco, are second with five points, while Angola and Uganda are
third and fourth respectively, almost out of qualifying contention.
Now on top of the group and having three remaining matches, out of
which two are away, the Ethiopian team need a home win against Morocco
and an away victory over Uganda at Kampala city to become one of
Africa’s four representing countries in Athens. Syoum has had great
success so far in his qualification campaign. The team will attempt to
avoid any scandals as it focuses on representing Ethiopia and Africa
at the Olympic games.
Traditional sport festival at Jan-meda
It was a festive moment for all in attendance as the Addis Ababa
Traditional Sports Federation recently held a four-day competition at
the Jan Med multi-purpose sports center.
The tournament began last Sunday 4th January, and took four days to
complete, reaching its climax on Wednesday 7th on Ethiopian Christmas
day. The competition was comprised of seven traditional disciplines
and brought together some 312 participants from all over the capital.
Traditional Gena (Hockey), Feres Gugs (Horse racing), Feres Shert,
Gebeta, Corbo, and Traditional Tigel (Wrestling) highlighted the
event.
Arada sub-city crushed its counterpart Addis Ketama (5-0), Gulele
suffered a (2-1) nail biting defeat to Defense force, while Kolfe beat
Bole 2-1 in an epic battle for supremacy.
The well prepared and determined Sululta and Arada sub-cities were
victorious, defeating their city rivals Kolfe and Kirkos by the same
2-0 score line. In the most popular traditional sport Gebeta, Defense
Force defeated rivals Akaki and Arada sub-cities to win the title,
while Kolfe took the upper hand over Kirkos.
The Addis Ababa Traditional Sports Federation secretary, Ato Girma,
told reporters that since “Gena” (Christmas) is part of our national
heritage we should work hard to preserve it for the future
generations.
Total
sponsored 21st Ethiopian highland rally
1,279 Km in 3 days
It was a giant leap
forward for the Ethiopian Motor Association after the success of the
first ever night rally, the event was also the season opener. The
Association is now organizing its biggest rally ever, covering a total
of 1,279 Km.
“It is a big occasion, the success of the night rally showed us that
the harder we strive, the higher our level of achievement will be,”
said Tsega Kumelachew, the association public relation and marketing
officer. He also added that it took them two months of backbreaking
efforts to find and then rehabilitate a new route tracing the Yerer
Mountains.
Some three decades before when motor sport was at its peak, a 5,000km
Rift Valley Rally took place across the Eastern Ethiopian highlands
and gorges. Following the Derg regime a blanket ban over the motor
sport took it back to square one from which the newly founded
association took it to its current level in short time.
The 1,279 Km highland rally is due to start on Friday comprising of 15
race cars and culminating at its final destination at Meskel square on
Sunday.
According to Tsega Kumelachew, they have worked tirelessly to organize
such a giant undertaking which included locating sponsors, the
rehabilitation of race routes, and the organization of safety and
security measures. Finally, it has all come together and the historic
long distance race will once again be taking place.
Total Ethiopia and Moha soft drinks are the sponsors for this 21st
Ethiopian highland rally. This time, however, it is Total Ethiopia the
giant oil company who has answered the bell with regards to this
ambitious undertaking.
Moenco, the giant Toyota company, has also made a hefty contribution
and looks forward to remaining involved in the future.
Sewnet Bishaw riding high while the champions slump
Electric to play Saints Today
Mugher Cement F.C., never heard of as a Premier League heavyweight, is
leading the new season by crushing club after club to top the league
table in style. Sewenet Bishaw’s squad defeated the champions Saint
George on Wednesday 2-0 to claim the top spot with 16 points. Without
a defeat in its last 8 league matches the club seems to be in serious
contention for the season title.
On Wednesday’s encounter, the Saints forward Kenyan Eric’s red card
just 20 minutes into the game emboldened the hosts enough to pursue a
high momentum offensive from which they scored twice in the second
half. This is the third consecutive defeat for the champions who
promised to write a new chapter in the coming African club
championship.
Also in the news Arbaminch textile F.C lost at home for the second
time in the new season. Last year’s runner-up Arbaminch surrendered to
their regional rival Awasa Kenema 2-1 in front of their home fans.
Coming off of last season’s achievements Arbaminch were expected to
deliver a better performance this year, but so far they seem to be in
poor form. This is a situation that is not being taken lightly by both
the players and management alike.
Trans Ethiopia of Tigray also lost at home 2-0 to the visiting
Ethiopian Coffee who have been riding high since Tilahun Kebede took
over from Kassaye Arage. Khalid Mohamed scored the opener while Fasika
Sima grabbed the second. Khalid’s goal was his first tally in two
years.
With an arsenal full of young guns, Electric defeated city rival
Ethiopian Banks to comfortably sit fourth in the league table. Leading
1-0 after Ebrahim’s goal, Electric dominated the first half despite
missing some great opportunities to add to their total.
Seyoum Abate’s debut as Banks’ coach seemed to take better course when
Yared tallied the equalizer minutes before the final whistle.
Alemayehu scored the winning goal for Electric’s full three points,
the young guns have pushed themselves up the league table and the
arrival of Italian coach Pettereli will most likely enhance their
campaign for the title.
Medin have now lost their fifth encounter out of their last eight
outings. Coach Kassahun Teka who orchestrated the surprising win
against Saint George has lost his winning touch, as his troops have
dropped three consecutive matches and now find themselves in the
unenviable position of being on the bottom of the league table. After
leading 2-1, a penalty kick was missed by Habtom Berhane which could
have made the score line 3-1 in favor of Medin. This happened to be
the turning point in Nyala’s surprise come back coming from 2-1 down
to claim a 3-2 victory. It was Medin’s long time former player Tekle
Berhane who inspired Nyala to the day’s big win. Nyala’s big win was a
family affair as Tekle is the elder brother of Habtom. As of the 8th
week, Mugher Cement FC are leading with 18 points followed by Trans
Ethiopia with 16 and Ethiopian coffee just off the pace with 15
points. Electric are fourth collecting 13 points while Awasa Kenama is
in fifth totaling12 points.
Today at Addis Ababa stadium, Electric are set to play their city
rivals Saint George at 6:00pm while Ethiopian Banks are to host Adama
Kenema at 4:00pm. The week’s other big game is the derby between Trans
Ethiopia and Guna Trade of Tigray.
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Tuesday
January 13, 2004
