Dire Dawa Kenema promoted back to the top flight league following their victory over Jimma Aba Bunna in the 2nd game of the national league semifinal. DireDawa beat Jimma 2 nil and followed Hossana’s footstep. In amazing circumstance the DireDawa Stadium filled with a lot of spectators. The enthusiastic fans created an awesome vibe in the stadium.
As the previous game between Halaba and Hossana the game started after observing a moment of silence for the demised Halaba fans. Red cards, a controversial goal and a missed penalty were the highlights of the match. Abdulfeta Kemal opened the score in the 12th minute. Jimma Aba Bunna players contested the referee’s decision to award the goal by claiming the ball didn’t cross the line. In the 64th minute Dire Dawa’s center forward Belay Abayneh doubled their lead. In the closing stage of the game Belay had a chance to make it 3 nil but he missed the spot kick. Belay now tops the top goal scoring chart with 6 goals. In the midst of the game 2 Jimma Aba Bunna players were sent off and brawl between players was seen after the end of the game.
After the historic win passionate Woman head coach of DireDawa Meserte Manni said she is proud to be the first woman to get promotion to the premier league. “From the Zonal competition we learned and fixed our mistakes in order for us to reach here. I am pleased to become the first woman coach that took a team to the premier league. Just because I am a woman I faced a lot of hurdles. However I transcended them all.”
Jimma Aba Bunna head coach Dereje played down the referee’s decision. “The ref was giving my players some uncalled for cards that totally hindered my players from playing their game freely. The way they scored the goals even was not legit. It would have been better to progress using hard work rather than the ref’s help. Otherwise relegation from the premier league would be inevitable.”
Dire Dawa Kenema promoted back to the top flight league after the 2011\12 season. Mesert Manni on the other hand made history. Jimma Aba Bunna’s veteran midfielder Biniam Haile selected as Man of The Match by the Sport Commission and Youth Bureau.
