Hawassa City and Sheger Ketema Share the Spoils in Ethiopia Premier League Thriller

A tense and tightly contested Ethiopia Premier League clash between Hawassa City and Sheger Ketema ended in a 1-1 draw on May 4, 2026, at the Hawassa International Stadium. The result keeps both sides locked in the middle of the standings, with neither able to seize a decisive advantage in a match that featured moments of quality and plenty of grit.

Match Overview

The encounter, played under the lights at 9:30 PM local time, saw Hawassa City draw first blood in front of their home supporters. The home side’s early intensity paid off when they broke the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Sheger Ketema. However, the visitors responded with composure, equalizing before the halftime whistle through a well-worked set-piece routine that left the Hawassa defense flat-footed.

Both teams struggled to find a winner in the second half, with the match turning into a cagey battle in midfield. Hawassa City pushed for a late winner, but Sheger Ketema’s disciplined defensive shape and counter-attacking threat kept the hosts honest. The final scoreline of 1-1 reflected a fair outcome in a match where chances were evenly shared.

Key Moments

• 12th minute: Hawassa City forward Mekonnen Ayele pounced on a loose ball inside the box to slot home the opener, sparking celebrations among the home faithful.
• 38th minute: Sheger Ketema’s Yonas Teshale rose highest to meet a corner kick, powering a header past the Hawassa goalkeeper to level the score.
• 65th minute: Hawassa City had a golden chance to retake the lead when a cross found an unmarked attacker at the back post, but his shot sailed just wide of the upright.
• 80th minute: Sheger Ketema’s goalkeeper Abel Fikre made a crucial save to deny a long-range strike, preserving the draw.

Tactical Story

Hawassa City set up in a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to exploit the flanks and overload Sheger Ketema’s full-backs. Their early goal came from exactly that approach, with a quick transition down the left channel. Sheger Ketema, meanwhile, employed a compact 4-4-2, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break. The equalizer demonstrated their strength from dead-ball situations, a recurring theme in their season.

As the game wore on, fatigue set in for both sides, leading to a scrappy final third. Hawassa City dominated possession after the hour mark (62% overall), but Sheger Ketema’s organized defense limited clear-cut opportunities. The visitors’ counter-attacks lacked the final pass, preventing them from stealing all three points.

Standout Players

• Mekonnen Ayele (Hawassa City): The forward was a constant menace with his movement and sharp finishing, but lacked support in the final third.
• Yonas Teshale (Sheger Ketema): The midfielder’s aerial prowess and tireless running in the middle of the park were vital for his side’s recovery.
• Abel Fikre (Sheger Ketema): The goalkeeper’s late save preserved a valuable point on the road.

Table and Season Impact

The draw leaves Hawassa City in 10th place in the Ethiopia Premier League standings with 28 points from 22 matches, while Sheger Ketema sit one spot above in 9th with 29 points. Neither side has been able to mount a serious threat to the top four, but this result keeps them within touching distance of the upper mid-table. For Hawassa, the dropped points at home underline their inconsistency, while Sheger Ketema will be pleased with a resilient away performance that extended their unbeaten run to three games.

Both teams now turn their attention to the next round of fixtures, with Hawassa City traveling to face Dire Dawa City and Sheger Ketema hosting Adama City. The points shared here could prove crucial in the final stretch of the season as the relegation battle and top-half ambitions take shape.