By Daily Sports on October 3, 2018

Defense Force claimed their 14th Ethiopian Cup title thanks to a 3-2 win on penalties over old foes Saint George on Saturday (29 September 2018) in Hawassa.

The Army side, Mekelakeya as they are locally known, has a tradition of reaching the final of the knockout competition, and this was their fourth final in a row, a record.

Saint George dominated the first interval but it was Defence that tried to broke the deadlock in the opening minutes. Winger Samuel Taye tried his luck from the half way mark after spotting Saint George keeper Lealem Birhanu off his line but his effort was collected easily by Birhanu.

The Horsemen came close to open the scores 12 minutes into the game through Abubakher Sanni but he clearly missed his target from close range. Summer arrival Getaneh Kebede almost found the back of the net for the record Ethiopian topflight champions; however his strike sailed over the bar.

Defence were very dangerous on their fast breaks and were almost successful as Temesgen Gebrekidane run out of a packed Saint George defence but was unable to convert as he was denied by Birhanu. A minute later, Defence Force goalie Yidnekatchew Kidane was called to action to superbly parry away Kebede’s curling effort.

Upon resumption, Defense Force took the upper hand and was the better side. In the 53rd minute, Gebrekidane was the culprit for missing from inside the box. Six minutes after the hour mark, Kebede sent a low volley only to see his attempt on goal sailing inches wide. At the other end Minyelu Wondimu failed to hit the target from the edge of the box. Both sides rallied to get the upper hand at the middle of the park on the remaining minutes as the tie saw fewer scoring chances.

With the score tied up at 0-0 the team headed straight to penalty shootouts. Defence Force custodian Kidane was the hero of the day as he saved penalty kick of Natnael Zeleke and Ethiopian international Kebede, while veteran winger Behailu Assefa skied his spot kick. Shemeles Tegene and Dawit Estifanos missed their respective penalty kicks but new signing Abebe Tilahun converted the last penalty to send the army side into frenzy.

Defense Force will represent Ethiopia in the 2018/19 CAF Total Confederation Cup whilst Saint George missed out a chance to participate in the continental tournament for the first time in four years. Defence Force will face Ethiopian Premier League champions Jimma Aba Jifar in the Ethiopian Super Cup in mid-October.

•Adapted from a CAFonline.com report. Photo shows Defence Players

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 3, 2018

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