2016 Ethiopia F.A Cup: St George 1 (4) – 1 (3) Defence
Days after winning the 2016 Ethiopia Premier League, St. George Football Club clinched a domestic double after defeating Defense on Thursday at Adama Abebe Bikila Stadium in Adama City.
Home to three Uganda Cranes players (Isaac Isinde, Robert Odongkara and Brian Umony), the club christened Kidus Giorgis required a lucky post match penalty lottery to win 4-3 after normal time had ended one goal apiece.
Only one of the Ugandans (Isinde) played as Odongkara was rested with Umony’s rehabilitation from a leg injury since February 2016 almost nearing an end.
Defense took a 20th minute lead through a well curled free-kick by Samuel Saliso past the diving goalkeeper Zerhuin Tadele.
St George fought gallantly and made amends to equalize when Adane Girma converted a penalty kick that had followed a handball by Mohamed Nassaer in the 57th minute.
A minute to full time, the reigning Ethiopian Premier League MVP Aschalew Tamene was sent for an early shower by the day’s referee, Bamlake Tassema following two bookings.
Goalie Zerhuin saved from Tewdrose Taffesse and Tewdrose Bekele for Defence as Mohamed Nasser, Behailu Girma and Samuel Saliso scored.
Abebaw Butako, Salhadin Seid, Dawa Hotse and Mintesenote Adane all scored for St George who earned their 11th F.A cup.
Defence remains the record winners on 12 titles.
St. George earns the ticket to represent the country in the CAF Champions League next season while Defense will take part in the Confederations Cup.
