ADDIS ABABA – The Addis giants Coffee suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sebeta City on the second day of the Addis Ababa City Cup on Sunday at the Addis Ababa stadium. In the days other game Bahir Dar City beat Wolkite City by the same 1-0 margin.
In the City’s Cup opening day meeting on Saturday the other Addis giants Saint George conceded a 2-1 defeat by Mekelakeya. In the day’s earlier match Wolwalo Adigrat University had a 1-0 win over Electric.
The Addis City Cup was originally to start last Saturday but postponed for Thursday. When the game was expected to start last Thursday it was again postponed for Saturday.
The reason for successive postponement was security, the organizers announced. The Police officially disclosed, according to the organizers, they do not show up at the stadium on Saturday, November 2 claiming shortage of man power to keep law and order. It seems that Police withdrew from taking responsibility fearing a possible crowed disturbance that could go out of their control.
This kind of Police response was rarely heard in the country’s football history but the rise of crowed violence in football arena forced them to act that way.
The Addis City Cup brought together eight teams from Addis Ababa and three invited teams from other region. Accordingly Bahir Dar City,Wolkite City, Saint George and Mekelakeya belong to Group A while Electric, Wolwalo Adigrat University, Coffee and Sebeta City are in Group B.
Coffee’s newly appointed Coach Kasaye Arage said that he faced defeat due to minor error. “We introduced a new kind of attacking football. Our contenders played defensive football. We managed to attack the doors of Sebeta City time and again. We are sure when my boys are well aware the way we intend to play the system will bring a much better and effective football,” Kasaye said.
Kasaye wants to introduce a kind of total football seen in Europe. As a player of Coffee Kasaye was the most successful midfielder of his time. As a coach this is his second test at Coffee. Before he departed for the USA he had the chance to guide Coffee for a brief period.
The Ethiopian Herald November12, 2019
BY SOLOMON BEKELE
