Fasil Kenema were forced to share the spoils Hadiya Hossana after playing out to a 1-1 draw in the BetKing Ethiopian Premier League match played at Dire Dawa International Stadium on Friday night.
The Emperors came into the match as favourites but found an obdurate Hossania side that held simply would not yield.
Hossana started the match on a high note pinning the hosts in their own half in early proceedings with Dawa Hotessa trying a long short early on in the 7th minute that unfortunately flew wide.
Mujib Kassim was trying to make runs from right and left, but failed to get a clear chance in front of goal as the defenders put him on check, alongside his partner Shimeket Gugsa.
Hossana could have gotten a deserved lead in the 15th minute, after a clever through pass but defender Suleiman Hamid failed to beat goalkeeper Mickel Samake.
It was a wakeup call for the table leaders who reacted a few minutes later through Kassim, but again his effort was not fruitful.
It was Hossana who managed to break the deadlock in the 20th minute when Tsegasew Damimu nodded a powerful header into the back of the net with Henock Arficho making the assist.
Bismark Appiah almost hit back for Fasil in the 36th minute when his powerful shot from just inside the box struck the woodwork.
Hossana had the last say of the half when Medhane Birhane broke into space 20-yards out from goal in the 43rd minute, but his shot from distance was magnificently save by Samake.
The half ended with the Tigers leading Fasil 1-0.
Fasil came out firing in the second half and netted an equalizer two minutes after the restart as defensive lapses allowed the unmarked Bezabeh Meleyo to beat Muntari from powerful header o make it 1-1.
In the 56th minute, Tewodros Bekele did well to go past Fasil defenders but his effort was deflected out for corner.
A goal-line clearance was needed from Hossania on 65 minutes when Mujib’s back-heeled attempt had the beating of Muntari but not of Suleiman Hamid who scooped to safety.
Hossana were on the attack two minutes later when Oumed Ukuri released Dawa Hottesa in on goal, but Samake was quick off his line to abort the danger.
Both sides searched and searched for the elusive winner following the closing minutes, but it finished 1-1 in Dire Dawa.
