St George won the Sheger derby bragging rights after beating traditional rivals Ethiopia Coffee at Dire Dawa Stadium on Sunday night.
A powerful header from Aschalew Tamene proved to be the deciding factor after the experienced defender beat Abel Mamo in the 12th minute.
Ethiopia Coffee had the first effort on target in the fifth minute when Mikias Mekonnen fired a 30-yard free-kick goalwards, but Bahiru Negash made a good save to deny him.
Two minutes later Mekonnen was in the thick of the action again with a long range pile-driver, but Nagesh made another great acrobatic save.
In the 12th minute St George took the lead when Aschalew Tamene powerfully headed home a well-taken corner from Gadissa Mebrate, 1-0.
Coffee tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck after going behind and controlled the possession stakes, but still they struggled to breakdown a resilient St George defence.
The coffee makers could have leveled matters in the 37th minute but Abubeker Nassir could only head William Solomon’s free-kick straight at Negash.
Frank Nutall’s side certainly dominated matters as the first half went on, and Gettah Kebede went close just before the halftime break, when his long range effort sailed just over Mamo’ crossbar.
Ethiopia Coffee came out firing at the start of the second half and came close to pulling a goal back in the 52nd minute, but Fikreyesus Tewoldebrhan curled his 16-yard effort just wide of the target.
On the hour mark Tewoldebrhan turned provider when his right-wing cross was met by Yabkal Fereja, but his header was well-saved by the St George goalkeeper, Negash.
In the 69th minute, a mistake by Asrat Tunjo in defence allowed Abel Yalew break through on goal, but with just substitute goalkeeper Teklemariam Shanko to beat he fired wide.
Kasaye Arage threw on Endale Debalkie for Mikias Mekonnen in the 80th minute as they looked for a way back into the encounter.
Coffee piled players forward in the final 10 minutes, but could not find a break through as St George held on for the 1-0 win.
