Sidama beat Arbaminch City 3-1 to lift 2016 South Castle Cup on Saturday, October 15 at Hawassa international stadium, Ethiopia.
The preseason tournament, held for the past two weeks in Hawassa city, attracted seven Ethiopian premier league clubs, which were grouped in two.
A hat-trick from Sidama’s Addis Gidey, the competition’s most valuable player, cancelled out Wendermnh Zerihun’s 15th minute opener for Arbaminch to ensure they bag the trophy for the third time.
Sidama missed the services of new signing from Kenya, Sunday Mutuko – another Kenyan in the team Eric Murunda was however, a pillar for them.
In the run up to the final, Sidima dispatched Dire Dawa, the group “B” winners in the semis, while Arbaminch beat group “A” toppers Ethiopian Coffee to sail through.
Dire Dawa played Ethiopian Coffee in the third play-offs with the former emerging 2-1 victors.
In other news, Addis Ababa City Cup (another preseason tournament) which was postponed indefinitely will after all go on, the organizers have confirmed, this after it emerged that EPL kick-off has been delayed.
EPL new 2016/17 season was to commence on October 30,2016.
Report by Soka25east.com’s Ethiopia correspondent Ferew Asrat.
