Defence Force ETH 1–0 Ethiopian Insurance
Ethiopia Premier League | June 21, 2026, 20:00

A single second-half goal was enough for Defence Force ETH to secure a narrow 1–0 victory over Ethiopian Insurance in Addis Ababa. The win strengthens Defence Force’s push for a top-half finish, while Ethiopian Insurance remain in the relegation zone.

Match Overview

This was a tight, physical encounter typical of the Ethiopia Premier League. Both sides created half-chances in the first period, but the game exploded into life after the interval when Defence Force broke the deadlock. Ethiopian Insurance pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find a way past a determined home defence.

Key Moments

• 54' – Goal Defence Force: A long-range strike from outside the box took a deflection and left the goalkeeper stranded.
• 73' – Red card incident: Ethiopian Insurance had a player sent off for a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
• 88' – Late chance saved: The insurance side's best opportunity came from a free-kick that was tipped over the bar by the Defence Force keeper.

Tactical Story

Defence Force sat deep after taking the lead, inviting pressure and looking to counter. Ethiopian Insurance dominated possession but lacked creativity in the final third. The sending-off further dented their hopes, as they could only muster long-range efforts that were comfortably dealt with.

Standout Players

• Defence Force #8 (midfielder): Scored the winner and covered every blade of grass in midfield.
• Defence Force #1 (goalkeeper): Made several important saves to preserve the clean sheet, especially in the closing stages.

Season Impact

Defence Force ETH climb to seventh place, while Ethiopian Insurance remain in the relegation spots, now four points from safety with games running out.