Ethiopian Coffee kickstart new season with a ‘W’
Addis Ababa, October 2, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopian Coffee Football Club opened the 2023/24 Ethiopian Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Sidama Coffee on Sunday 1 October at Adama Science & Technology University Stadium.
The 2016 E.C (2023/24) Ethiopian Premier League season kicked off at Adama Science & Technology University Stadium on Sunday with a curtain raiser match between Adama City FC and the newly promoted Commercial Bank of Ethiopia FC at 3:00 pm that ended in a goalless stalemate.
Whereas, the second match of Ethiopian PL match week 1, Sidama Coffee v Ethiopian Coffee,, kicked off at 6:00 pm. Both sides head to the break with a barren 0 – 0 scoreline and it looked destined to end in a goalless draw like the first match. The only goal of the match came at the 59th minute mark. Ermias Shumbeza’s only goal ended up being the difference of the match where Ethiopian Coffee FC bagged the vital three points.
Ethiopian Coffee is one of the biggest clubs with a huge fanbase across the country although they didn’t live up to expectations in recent years marked by poor run of results. Compared to their closest rivals and 16-time Ethiopian PL champions Saint George, Ethiopian Coffee have only 1 league title in their name.
However, they could be buoyed by their victory on Sunday in their bid to claim their second league title since 2011. Their new head coach Nikola Kavazović of Serbia and the players said Suday’s victory can help them keep this momentum into the whole of the season.
The 2023/24 Ethiopian PL season match week 1 games return on Friday October 6 where newcomers Shashemene City FC take on Wolaita Dicha FC at 3:00 pm. The other newly promoted side Hambericho Durame FC will play against Dire Dawa City FC on the same day at 6:00 pm.
On October 7, Hawasa City FC will face the 2020/21 season champions Fasil Kenema FC at 9:00 pm, whereas Hadiya Hosana FC will entertain Mechal FC later that day at 6:00 pm.
Reigning champions and a record 16 premier league title winners Saint George FC will kick off their season in a match against Wolkite City FC on Sunday October 8 at 3:00 pm. The defending champions will look to leave behind their disappointing 7-0 aggregate defeat to Egypt’s Al Ahly in CAF Champions League Preliminary Round 2 matches.
Last season’s Ethiopian PL runners-up Bahir Dar City FC are looking to take their CAF Confederation Cup 2023/24 Preliminary Rounds impressive form into the new season as they play against Ethiopian Insurance FC in the last game of matchday 1 on October 8 at 6:00 pm. They are looking forward to lift their mood after their disappointing exit from CAF CC second preliminary round with a 3-2 agreggate defeat to Tunisa’s Club Africain on Sunday October 1, 2023.
According to the Ethiopian PL governing body, the city of Adama has been selected to host the first few match week schedules of the new season at Adama Science & Technology University Stadium.