Two years after joining back the higher league in place of ECWC, Ethiopia NegedBank returned to the top tier. Shashemene Ketema roared back in to the premier league after 15 years in the wilderness. Hambercho-Durame secured an automatic promotion in to the Ethiopian football elites group for the first time in its 10-years history.
Ethiopia NegedBank secured its promotion to the top tier topping group (A) with 60 points from 28 matches. Crushing SendafaBeke to 4-1 victory in the season’s final group match at Abebe Bikila stadium, NegedBank under head coach Beselot Lulseged heralded its promotion to the upper league eight points clear off runner-up Bench-Maji. Dominating the group with 18 wins, six draws and only two defeats, many are expecting NegedBank to come out stronger in the coming season.
Fourteen years since it last played at the top tier, Shashemene Ketema booked its promotion after 16 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats. Collecting 53 points from 26 matches, the side from Oromia finished top of the group eight points clear of promotion contender Air-Force alias Nib.
Former footballer Tsegaye Agro in the hot seat, the physically dominant Shashemene had been in group (B) driver seat since the start of the second round booting down long talked about group favorite Addis Ababa Ketema. Despite having one of the most seasoned yet unsuccessful Paulos Getachew (Mango) as head coach Addis Ababa finished fifth collecting only 38 points from 26 matches.
The Higher league surprise package Hambericho-Durame joined the premier league for the first time since it’s foundations in 2014. Unbeaten throughout the league season, Hambericho secured promotion finishing top of group (C) collecting 48 points from 12 wins and twelve draws. Gelan Ketema finished second one point behind Hambericho.
It is considered the luckiest year for Hamberico for both its men and women football clubs secured passage to the top tiers. Greatful for both teams’ success, the Southern Region zone promised to handover a plot of land for each of the squad members and coaching staffs.