A goal fest saw Hawassa Ketema and Fasil Kenema tie while Mechal needed to dig deep for all three points in the third day action of the opening round fixtures.
In the 3 pm kickoff, Hawassa Ketema and Fasil Kenema played out a six goal thriller as both sides opened their campaign with a draw.
Hawassa Ketema’s head coach Zeray Mulu now in his third season gave five full debuts while Wubetu Abate back for a second stint with Fasil Kenema after three years away from club football also named five of their new signings in the starting lineup.
The first half was all about Fasil Kenema as they completely outplayed a disjointed Hawassa Ketema, Surafel Dangachew opened the scoring in the 9th minute directly from a set piece while in the 11th minute, Fasil Kenema’s marque signing Getaneh Kebede was off the mark for his new side.
Fasil had their chances in the first half to extend their lead but were unable to add more going in the restart, during half time Zeray Mulu made a couple of changes and also reverted to their preferred 3-5-2 shape.
The changes paid dividends instantly as Tafesse Solomon’s goal seconds into the second half started their comeback.
Hawassa Ketema boosted by the early goal went on to score the equalizing goal as Tafesse Solomon now turned providing Ali Sulieman with a cheeky finish.
Hawassa Ketema maintained their aggression while Fasil Kenema were second best in the second half as they were forced to spend more time without the ball.
In the 80th minute second half substitute Bereket Samuel headed home from a sublime Ali Sulieman free kick to give Hawassa a deserved lead.
But Surafel Daganchew once again scored from set piece to save the day for Fasil Kenema in the 85th minute.
In the late kickoff of late drama Shimeles Bekele inspired Mechal to a 3-2 victory over Hadiya Hossana.
New look Mechal who appointed ex-Walia head coach Abraham Mebratu as Technical Director and Gebrkirstos Birara as a head coach named a new looking XI with four new faces with the highly decorated Shimeles Bekele returning home after 10 successful years in Egypt grabbing the headlines while also newly appointed Hadiya Hossana head coach Yohannes Sahle also named 7 new players for their full debut.
The five goals thriller began in the 5th minute as Kenean Markneh opened the scoring for Mechal, but Hadiya responded in style 8 minutes later through Biruk Marcos.
In what was an intriguing game of football Mechal once again restored their lead through Minyelu Wondimu in the 29th minute to take the lead going to halftime.
After the restart, Hadiya Hossana sustained pressure to eventually grab the equalizing goal in the 77th minute as Biruk Marcos converted from the spot for an opening day brace for himself.
With the clock ticking fast a big call from the match officials to award Mechal a penalty kick that was successfully converted by their skipper Minyelu Wondimu to hand his side all three points in the opening weekend.
Shimeles Bekele who joined Mechal this summer had a wonderful debut with his new side taking all the plaudits post match for his involvement in Mechal’s all three goals.
