Ethiopian Higher League
Country | ![]() |
---|---|
Confederation | CAF |
Number of teams | 32 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
Relegation to | Ethiopian First League (3rd Tier) |
Domestic cup(s) | Addis Ababa City Cup Ethiopian Super Cup |
League cup(s) | Ethiopian Cup |
International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
Current champions | Welwalo Adigrat (Group A)
Jimma Aba Jifar (Group B) (2016–17) |
TV partners | Tigray TV Amhara TV |
Current: 2017–18 Ethiopian Higher League |
The Ethiopian Higher League (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ከፍተኛ ሊግ, also called the Ethiopian Super League), is the second division of association football in Ethiopia. Regulated by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the league is divided into two, Group A and Group B. each with 16 team. It operates on a system of promotion and relegation along with the Ethiopian Premier League (first division) and the Ethiopian First League (third division). The champions of Group A and B will be automatically promoted to the Premier League. The runners-up in both groups will go head to head in a one game playoff to determine the third and final entree into the Premier League. The bottom three teams at seasons end will be relegated to the First League, the third division of Ethiopian football. After the 2016-17 season, Welwalo Adigrat University earned promotion to the Premier League by winning group A on 68 points with Mekelle City coming in second at 60 points. Jimma City won group B on 53 points and also earned promotion to the top league with Hadiya Hossana finishing second on 53 points. Mekelle City and Hadiya Hossana played in a one game playoff to decide the third and final promotion out of the league, the game was won by Mekelle City (the club's first promotion into the Ethiopian Premier League).[1]
The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) restructured the league into two groups A and B in the 2015/16 season.[2] Group A comprises clubs from northern and central Ethiopia and Group B comprises clubs from Southern Ethiopia.[2]
Fasil Kenema were crowned champions of the league after the 2015-16 season.[3]
Bahir Dar Kenema and Debub Police S.C. were automatically promoted to the 2018-19 Ethiopian Premier League after the winning their respective groups.[4] Shire Endaselassie became the third and last club to be promoted to the 2018-19 Ethiopian Premier League after beating Jimma Aba Buna in a playoff match in Hawassa.[5]
2017-18 Season
The following 32 clubs will compete in the Higher League during the 2017-18 season.[6]
Group A
- Bahir Dar Kenema
- Shire Endaselassie
- Addis Ababa City
- Burayu City
- Sebeta City
- Legetafo Legedadi
- Ecosco
- Ethiopia Medin
- Amhara Weha Sera
- Sululta City
- Aksum City
- Federal Police
- Dessie City
- Yeka Sub-City
- Welo Kombolcha
- Nekemte City
Group B
- Dilla City
- Debub Police
- Jimma Aba Bunna
- Kaffa Bunna
- Halaba City
- Hadiya Hossana
- Butajira City
- Hamberecho Durame
- Sil'te Werabe
- Welkite City
- Meke City
- Bench Maje Bunna
- National Cement
- Dire Dawa Police
- Shashemane City
- Negele City
References
- ^ Tolesa, Dawit (July 22, 2017). "Jimma, Mekele, Welwalo earn EPL promotion". The Reporter Ethiopia.
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(help) - ^ a b Osano, Bonface (September 1, 2016). "The Emperors lift inaugural Ethiopian Super Cup". soka25east.
- ^ Taddele, Omna (August 31, 2016). "Fasil Ketema Crowned Champions of the Higher League". Soccer Ethiopia.
- ^ Genene, Brook (August 27, 2018). "Debub Police Promoted to the Premier League as Jimma Aba Buna secure playoff spot". Soccer Ethiopia.
- ^ Gebremariam, Abraham (September 4, 2018). "ሽረ እንዳስላሴ ለመጀመርያ ጊዜ ወደ ፕሪምየር ሊግ አድጓል". Soccer Ethiopia.
- ^ "የኢትዮጵያ ከፍተኛ ሊግ – 2010". Soccer Ethiopia. Retrieved 2018-03-25.