Three months and five defeats later Dedebit’s head coach Negussie Desta returns to the hot seat in the home derby match against in-relegation nightmare Ethio-Electric on Wednesday. Dedebit slipped down from the league top spot to fifth in the table with 33 points. “I assessed so many loopholes in my absence and I will do everything to correct things so that we will be back in the driving seat,” Negussie Desta remarked.
Many suggested the home defeat at the hands of Jimma AbaJifar triggered the downslide of Dedebit for two of the team’s most important individuals Coach Negussie Desta and leading top striker Getaneh Kebede suspended for three months and four matches respectively for a major disciplinary debacle. Unbeaten Dedebit was on top of the league table until that unlucky 13th week fixture and since that 2-1 home defeat and the strong disciplinary slap from the federation everything has gone wrong.
It is a real irony how a team that boasts a number of big name players the likes of African Cup final veterans: Seyoum Tesfaye, Asrat Megersa, Berhanu Bogale and Aynalem Hailu could be left like a ship without a captain following the absence of Negussie and Getaneh. Nevertheless assistant Getu Teshome’s caretaker coaching short spell turned a nightmare with two wins, one draw and five defeats in nine matches.
Though it is just six points difference between the top spot and title contention so a comeback is not out of the question, Negussie appears in need of a miracle to stay on course of the crowded title race comprised of at least six teams.