Mekele 70 Enderta and Wolwalo Adigrat University secured spots in the 2025/26 Ethiopian Cup semi-finals this week. The two Tigray region sides reached their first-ever Ethiopian Cup last four after overcoming Boditi Ketema and knockout cup masters Mechal at Addis Ababa Stadium.
Mekele 70 Enderta defeated second-division strugglers Boditi Ketema 3–2 to advance to the semi-finals of the Ethiopian Cup. The Wolayta Zone club took the lead through Muluken Tesfaye in the first half, but Mekele’s talisman Fitsum Alemu equalized before the break.
Two quick goals from Ghanaian forward Prince Ofori and Bona Ali handed Mekele a 3–1 lead in the second half. Boditi tried to force the game to a penalty shootout after a late goal from Tewodros Belete, but the top-flight side held firm to cruise to the next round.
Wolwalo Adigrat University beat Mechal 5–4 on penalties to dramatically confirm their place in the semi-finals of the Ethiopian Cup. Record Ethiopian Cup champions Mechal were the better side during the regular 90 minutes but failed to get past Wolwalo’s Ugandan goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa. Girum Hagos and Mohamed Abera missed golden opportunities for Mechal in the first half.
In a dramatic penalty shootout, 14-time champions Mechal looked to be securing a victory but missed their last three spot kicks, as Wolwalo capitalized to get back into the tie. Mutakubwa put in a man-of-the-match performance, saving three Mechal spot kicks.
Both Mekele 70 Enderta and Wolwalo Adigrat University are battling relegation in the 2025/26 CBE Ethiopian Premier League, and their recent surge in the Ethiopian Cup could be a key factor in their pursuit of league safety.
(Pan-African Football)
