Ethiopia Coffee and St George will go up against each other in highly anticipated tie dubbed Sheger derby in a match-day 17 fixture at Dire Dawa Stadium on Sunday.
It is a special edition of this iconic fixture, with the two giants engaging in a Ethiopia Premier League encounter, that is expected to attract record-breaking viewership on SuperSport television.
Coming into this particular fixture amid a good run of form, Ethiopia Coffee currently occupy second place in the Bet King-sponsored Premier League, having won two of their last four outings.
In the last weekend games Ethiopia Coffee won away clash against Sebeta City as St.George fell by a solitary goal to Fasil Kenema.
Young striker Abubakher Nasri will be available for the Coffee makers and will look to add to his goal scoring feat.
A win for Ethiopia Coffee would make them firm favorites to trouncing table leaders Fasil Kenema and so far they have won 10 matches.
Maximum points for the Morning Stars would narrow the gap to a six point for the team seeking their third Ethiopian Premier League title.
On the other hand a win for the Horsemen will close the gap with Coffee to three points and it will guarantee them confidence in the race for the title.
St George’s Abel Yalew will lead the hunt for goals and will be joined by Keenan Markeneh.
In the first leg derby played in January, Ethiopia Coffee edged St George 3-2and it will be interesting to see if they will claim the bragging rights again in the biggest football rivalry in Ethiopia.
So whether Ethiopia Coffee are riding the crest of the wave and St George are almost rock bottom, fireworks are always expected. And this derby – Ethiopia’s most important fixture – should be no different.
