St George retained their lead at the top of the Premiership standings after playing to a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia Coffee in the Sheger derby at Yidenkachew Tessema Stadium on Saturday.
Ethiopia Coffee took the lead in the first half, with Eko Favor striking in the 18th minute, and Salhadin Said equalised for St George through a penalty with twenty minutes remaining.
It was a tight midfield battle and there were good chances for both sides late on to steal the win.
The first half was full of pace and intensity and on the balance of play and chances created, Ethiopia Coffee were probably fortunate to go into the break the leading.
The second half provided as much excitement and entertainment with both teams contributing to a fantastic afternoon’s football with the draw probably the correct result in the end.
St George came out and played with real purpose from the kick-off and had early chances through Prince Saviriano, but he was twice denied by Harriston Hessou.
Instead it was Ethiopia Coffee who were to score with their first real attack on goal when Eyasu Tameru split the defence with a through-ball to Eko Favour for a simple finish.
Aschalew Girma looked set to level matters two minutes later when he swivelled and shot in the box, but Ondongkara showed great reflexes to beat the ball away.
Aschalew Girma was denied a second goal at the other end by Aschalew Tamene as the end-to-end action continued unabated.
At half-hour mark the match was interrupted when Robert Ondongkara was stretched off injured with his place taken by second choice keeper Zerihun Tadeel.
With the capacity crowd – not far shy of 40 000, expecting more fireworks in the second half, the players didn’t disappoint as the high-tempo entertainment continued.
There were chances after the restart when Salhadin Said smashed a shot over for St George before Amanuel Yohannes flashed a 20-yard drive inches wide of the top corner and Samuel Sanuni missed with a back-post header on the hour mark.
Play continued to go from end to end, the respective sets of fans erupting every time their team burst forward, although clear-cut chances proved elusive.
Coffee makers looked to have been given the chance to clinch victory with 20 minutes to go but they will have their defenders to blame as St George dangerman Salhadin Said was brought down in the area and a penalty was awarded.
The same Salhadin stepped and took a clinical penalty with Harriston Hessou beaten for an equalizer.
There was another chance for the defending champions side late in added time, but Abdulkarim’s header lopped agonisingly wide of the goal.
Line ups:
St.George XI: Robert Odongkara,Degu Debebe, Aschalew Tamene, Frezer Kassa, Abebaw Butako ,Natnael Zeleke, Abdulkarim Nikemia,Mintesnote Adane ,Abubker Sani,Prince Savirino, Salhadin Said
Ethiopia Coffee XI: Harriston Hessou, Ahmed Rashid,Abdulkarim Mohammed, Efrem Wondwossen,Eko Favor, Amanuel Yohannes,Mesud Mohammed, Aklilu Walilege, Samuel Sanumi, Eyasu Tameru, Aschalew Girma.
