It was the Mujib Kassim show at the Dire Dawa Stadium on Thursday night as the Ethiopian forward inspired Fasil Kenema to 2-0 win over Wolayta Dicha.
It was an evenly contested affair in the early stages, as both sides struggled to carve out clear cut chances in the opening 15 minutes.
Daniel Agyei was called into action just before the 20-minute mark, producing a vital interception with Fasil midfielder Bezabeh Meleyo lurking in the six-yard box.
The hosts’ best opportunity of the half fell to Biniam Fikre on 27 minutes, but he failed to get any contact on Melkamu Bagole’s cross with the goal at his mercy.
With Fasil slicing through the Wolayta defence at will early on, it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 32nd minute.
Enyew Kassahun floated in a cross and the move culminated in striker Mujib Kassim heading in from close range.
Dicha had a few more opportunities after that as they continued to apply pressure to the opposition, but Didier Lebi shot wide and Fikre was foiled by the Fasil defence inside the five-yard area.
But Dicha, clearly, had not heeded the lessons of their slow start in the first half.
They came out in the second period ensconced in armchairs – and they nearly paid the price as they were caught napping by Fasil.
Shimeket Gugsa should have doubled the lead 49th minute, but the midfielder blasted over from inside the area, after being picked out by Bereket Desta.
Kedir Koulibally should have added a second for Fasil in the 68th minute but the defender managed to place his effort over the crossbar from close range.
However, the visitors side doubled their lead eight minutes later, as Kassim tapped home from three-yards out after some good build up play by Fasil.
Dicha’s second effort on target arrived in the 76th minute, as Mickel Samake pulled off a fine save to deny Mengistu from close range.
Samake was called into action minutes later, this time pulling off a fine save to deny Lebri from six-yards out.
Fasil managed to see out the rest of the match with relative ease, as they extended their lead in the Ethiopian Premier League table to 41 points.
