The 2014/15 EFF Cup will get its conclusion tomorrow at Addis Abeba Stadium. Mekelakeya and Hawassa Kenema will battle it out to lift the EFF Cup and also ensure their place in the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.
Mekelakeya beat league champions Kidus Giorgis to reach the final for the second time in three years. New signing Addisu Tesfaye and Behailu Girma scored the goals. Giorgis dominated the first 20 minutes but right after Mekelakeya started to possess the ball everything changed.
Mekelakeya head coach Gebermedhin Haile hopes his side will rectify the past mistakes.
“In the game against Kidus Giorgis they were dominant in the first 20 minutes. We tried to work on our problem that was seen in the first 20 minutes against Giorgis. Our decisive victory in the semis gave us a much needed winning spirit. We were preparing for the new Ethiopian Premier League season in the summer. Nonetheless, wining the EFF Cup is also our goal. We succeeded at the semi final. We are only left with the final. Hawassa Kenema is a much changed side now. I noticed a change in the team. However, our aim is to win the game and hopefully we will win.” said Gebremedhin.
The injured goalie Jemal Tassew is still a doubt for the Army side. Meanwhile, defender Tewodros Bekele is out of the game due to injury in his hand. Striker Mohammed Nasser will also miss the game since he didn’t fully recover from his injury.
Hawassa Kenema hopes to lift the EFF Cup trophy after a decade. Hawassa perceived to play possession based football that was demonstrated during the semi final game against Wolaitta Dicha. Hawassa is a strong side but play maker Tafesse Solomon and striker Temesgen Tekele are not available for the two times Ethiopian Premier League champions. This is a major problem for Hawassa. The absence of Tafesse and Temesgen was deeply felted during the Wolaitta Dicha game. One of the things that made this game to be more anticipated is that both Mekelakeya and Hawassa plays possession based football.
Hawassa Kenema head coach Webetu Abate in exclusive interview with Soccer Ethiopia said fans should expect some changes in the squad that faced Wolaitta Dicha.
“Don’t expect us to play in the same system over and over again. We will have a game plan based on our opponents approach. Mekelakeya is a strong side that transcended Kidus Giorgis. Hence, we cannot put them in the same circle with Wolaitta Dicha. Therefore, we will put a team that can compete with them.” said Webetu.
Webetu added the team is highly motivated to get back to continental competition.
“Since it is a final, our focus is on the game. The team spirit is second to none. It has been a long time sinece this club took part in continental competition. We will play to change that course of history.”
Hawassa Kenema’s star players Temesgen Tekele and Tafesse Solomon still didn’t recover from injury. Defender Addisalem Tesfaye is available for Hawassa on Saturday after missing the semi final due to suspension. Midfielder Ephrem Zekaris is a doubt after sustaining injury this week. Ephrem made his debut fopr Hawassa last Tuesday against Wolaitta Dicha in place of the injured Tafesse Solomon.
