The 2023/24 season of the Ethiopian Premier League comes to a close this Saturday. In what has been an exciting title race Ethiopia Nigd Bank and Mechal will fight for the title.
The Ethiopian Premier League title being decided on the last match day isn’t something new. There have been last minute dramas, thrills and spills in the league previously. In 2018/19 Mekelle 70 Enderta won their first league title in dramatic fashion ahead of Fasil Kenema and Sidama Bunna on the last day.
A year before that it was Jimma Aba Jifar who created history by winning the league in the year they got promotion.
Ethiopia Bunna’s sole league win was also secured on the last match day during the famous 2010/11 season under Webetu Abate.
There is also the dramatic title win by St. George almost two decades ago as they narrowly edged Arbaminch who already started title celebrations unaware of the last minute result at Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia Nigid Bank are one win away from securing the league trophy– pic via Ethiopia Premier League Share Company
A similarly enthralling end to the season is expected on Saturday’s 4 PM kick offs. Betselot Leulseged’s Ethiopia Nigid Bank are on top and will face his former side Ethiopia Medin. Betselot was sacked after helping Ethiopia Medin gain promotion two years ago. It has been reported that he was close to giving up on coaching after that. However, he got back after being offered the coaching role at Nigid Bank. In their first campaign back in the Premier League the club which was out of competition only a few years ago is close to a historic win.
One of the main reasons for Ethiopia Nigid Bank’s amazing campaign is the collection of experienced and proven players that have managed to deliver consistently. The likes of Addis Gidey, Fuad Fereja and Simon Peter have been on top form.
Mechal’s success under Gebrekristos Birara can be attributed to the structural change the club went through. The army side appointed Abraham Mebratu as sporting director paving the way for strategic squad building. The trio of Shimeles Bekele, Minyelu Wondimu and Kenean Markneh have played a vital role in propelling the side, which just celebrated its 80th anniversary, to the title race. Mechal will have to beat Diredawa Ketema and hope that Ethiopia Nigid Bank lose points in order to secure the title.
Mechal are hoping to win the title on the eve of the club’s 80th anniversary – Pic via Ethiopian Premier League Share Company
Ethiopia Nigid Bank Form
W W D D W
Head to head vs Ethiopia Medin
2024 – W 4- 1
2014- W 2-0
2013- W 1-0
2012- L 2-1
Mechal Form
W D W W W
Head to Head vs Dire Dawa Ketema
2024- W 3-1
2023- W 2-1
2022- D 1-1 and 0-0
Who will become this year’s champions?
Find out on Saturday on Super Sport.
