Shashemene shock draw for Mekelake, Bahir Dar held

Mekelakeya held Shashemene City to a 2-2 draw on Friday and Wolaitta Dicha played to a goalless draw with Bahir Dar City.

Mekelakeya's quest to catch up with Ethiopia Premier League leaders Ethiopia Nigd Bank came unstuck as Shashemene City almost shocked them.

Shashemene City led 2-0 in the first half. Abdulkadir Nasir's 29th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 lead. Mulugeta Woldegiorgis increased the tally to 2-0 in the 44th minute.

However, Bereket Desta pulled one back just before the break on 45+1 minutes of added time to take the halftime scores to 2-1.

Mekelakeya got back on level terms in the 56th minute with their leader, Minyilu Wondimu, on target to make it 2-2.

The draw means they are unable to catch the leaders, but they bridged the gap at the top to two points, meaning Ethiopia Nigd Bank can open a five-point lead with a win.

Ethiopia Nigd Bank are on 53 points, Mekelakeya are on 51 points and Bahir Dar City are placed third with 45 points.

Bahir Dar City hoped to profit from a slip by the top two but a determined Wolaitta Dicha managed to avoid defeat, leaving them with 29 points.

The draw and the point mean Wolaitta Dicha will survive relegation while the result effectively relegates Wolkite City, who are on 16 points.

Even if Wolkite win their remaining four games, they will end on 28 points and will be relegated along with Hambericho and Shashemene City.