Ethiopian Premier League 2016/17 season came to a close Saturday with Ethiopia Nigid Bank, Jimma Aba Bunna and Addis Ababa Kenema getting relegated.
Up-to six clubs were caught up in the unprecedented fight to dodge the chop heightening the stakes on the D-day.
14-time champions St. George edged Nigid Bank 1-0 on their coronation day at the Addis Stadium – condemning the Bankers to second division football next season.
Burkinabe forward Bruno Kone delivered the devastating strike deep second half to crown a bullish a season for the Horsemen in style.
With the league action out of their path, St. George’s focus fully shift to the African Champions League, where they are fighting for a slot in the quarters from group C.
Dire Dawa escaped the chop by a whisker – dispatching debutants Jimma Aba Bunna 1-0 to secure their topflight status for the third season since gaining promotion.
Woliyta Dicha fought gallantly to defeat Dedebit 4-2 and sail to safety.
Dedebit’s lethal forward and Ethiopian international Getaneh Kebede netted a brace in the match to finish top scorer with 25 goals.
The former Bidvest Wits goal poacher broke Yordanos Abay’s 16-year-old record of the highest goals haul in a single season, which stood at 24.
Ethio-Electric will enjoy another season of topflight football after squeezing a draw against Hawassa City, which was enough to keep their status. For the fourth season running, the electricity men successfully managed to wade through the relegation muddy waters to safety.
The Final Table Standings:
