Mekelakeya go joint top with CBE, Hawassa trounce Dire Dawa

Mekelakeya beat title rivals Ethiopia Nigd Bank 2-0 on Friday to go joint top of the Ethiopia Premier League with CBE - Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.

Hawassa City trounced Dire Dawa City 3-1 despite the partisan crowd at the Dire Dawa International Stadium.

An Ali Suleiman hat-trick did the damage for Hawassa City.

Suleiman scored in the 20th minute to give Hawassa a 1-0 lead and five minutes later, he completed his brace for 2-0.

The first half ended 2-0 and Hawassa continued to dominate and on 71 minutes, Suleiman scored his hat-trick to lead them to a 3-0 advantage.

However, Dire Dawa pulled one back late in the game with Mohamed Abdu Latif on target to bring the final scores to 3-1.

Mekelakeya have been on a resurgence after a few setbacks, and they scored early against Ethiopia Nigd Bank.

Minyilu Wondimu was the goalscorer in the fourth minute and Abel Negash added a second just two minutes later to go 2-0 up.

Mekelakeya remain in second position behind Ethiopia Nigd Bank on goal difference but tied on 36 points.