Week 25 of the 2025/26 CBE Ethiopian Premier League saw Sidama Coffee strengthen their lead at the top. Second-placed Hawassa Ketema were held to a draw, while Saint George and Ethiopian Coffee recorded big wins. The top flight is being played in Addis Ababa and Hawassa as it returns from the international break.
Unstoppable Sidama Coffee are on the right track to lift their maiden Ethiopian league title. They defeated Mekele 70 Enderta 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Abel Yalew. Yalew ran behind the Mekele defense to score the crucial goal in the 26th minute. Sidama Coffee are now seven points clear at the top. Yalew also tops the scoring chart with 11 goals.
Hawassa Ketema failed to close the gap on Sidama Coffee following their dramatic 2-2 draw against Wolwalo Adigrat University. Biruk Yared opened the scoring for the Lakers in the first half, but two late goals from Netsanet Gebremedhin and Dawit Gebru turned the result around for the Yellows. Veteran midfielder Shemeles Bekele restored parity deep into injury time.
Negelle Arsi ended their five-game winless run with a superb 2-1 win over Adama Ketema. Dawit Tefera and Rohobot Selalo scored for the newcomers, while Dawa Hotessa netted for Adama.
Saint George ended their eight-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Hadiya Hosaina. With financial support from MIDROC Investment Group, BGI Ethiopia, and the Addis Ababa City Administration, the Ethiopian giants managed to pay their players five months of owed salaries.
This development boosted the players’ morale as they edged Hadiya Hosaina 2-1. Yeabsera Gossaye and Fuad Abdella scored for the Horsemen, though Gossaye also scored an own goal during the match.
Elsewhere, Ethiopian Coffee secured a 1-0 win over reigning champions Ethiopian Insurance, thanks to a long-range strike from Biniyam Getachew.
Standings update: Sidama Coffee top the table with 48 points, while Hawassa Ketema sit second with 41 points. Negelle Arsi are third, also with 41 points. Ethiopian Coffee are seventh with 35 points. Saint George, Shire Midere Genet, Mekele 70 Enderta, and Arbaminch Ketema remain in the relegation zone.
(Pan-African Football)
