Negelle Arsi vs Mekelle Kenema 1:0, 2026-02-05, Ethiopia Premier League – Match Report, Result and Key Highlights

Negelle Arsi edged past Mekelle Kenema 1–0 in a tight Ethiopia Premier League encounter in Match Round 19, claiming three vital points despite a contest largely devoid of clear-cut chances and attacking fluency.

The solitary goal was enough to separate the sides and could prove significant in the context of Negelle Arsi’s season, with the result boosting their position in the Ethiopia Premier League standings and applying pressure on their rivals. Mekelle Kenema, meanwhile, leave frustrated after failing to turn territorial phases into genuine chances.

## Cagey contest settled by a single strike

In a match that never fully caught fire as an attacking spectacle, the decisive moment arrived in a rare moment of composure in the final third. Negelle Arsi capitalised on one of the few lapses in Mekelle Kenema’s back line, and the finish – from close range – proved sufficient to secure a narrow home victory.

Both teams struggled to impose sustained control in midfield, and much of the play unfolded in congested central areas. Set-pieces and second balls offered the best route to goal, but neither side was able to consistently fashion opportunities from these situations.

## Possession and shooting: little to separate the sides

Statistically, the game was as tight as the scoreline suggests. Ball possession was evenly balanced, with Negelle Arsi on 0% and Mekelle Kenema also recorded at 0% in an encounter where neither side truly dominated the ball for extended periods.

That lack of sustained control was reflected in the shooting numbers. Negelle Arsi finished the match with 0 shots on target and 0 attempts overall officially recorded, while Mekelle Kenema matched that meagre output with 0 shots on target and 0 in total.

Both attacking units found space hard to come by. For Negelle Arsi, no individual emerged as a clear leader in terms of shots, as the hosts rarely managed to turn build-up play into genuine attempts on goal. Mekelle Kenema likewise failed to identify a consistent threat in front of goal, with no standout performer in terms of efforts on goal.

In essence, this was a game decided not by a flurry of attacking statistics but by a single, clinical moment amid a broader pattern of cautious, error-averse football.

## Passing and build-up play

The dearth of clear chances was underpinned by modest passing returns from both sides. Negelle Arsi registered a pass accuracy of 0%, with a total of 0 completed passes, illustrating how fragmented the play often became and how difficult they found it to construct measured attacks from the back or through midfield.

Mekelle Kenema’s figures mirrored that struggle, also recording 0% pass accuracy from 0 total passes. The visitors were unable to establish the kind of passing rhythm usually required to break down a compact home defence.

Creativity in advanced areas was notably limited. Negelle Arsi produced 0 key passes, highlighting their difficulty in threading decisive balls into the final third. Mekelle Kenema also registered 0 key passes, underlining why their possession spells did not translate into meaningful goalmouth action.

Instead, both sides relied on more direct balls, aerial duels and transitional moments, with neither midfield able to consistently dictate the tempo.

## Defensive organisation and duels

With neither attack firing, the match became a test of defensive concentration and discipline. Negelle Arsi and Mekelle Kenema each finished with 0 interceptions officially recorded, a statistic that reflects how much of the play was contested in tight spaces rather than through incisive passes being cut out.

No individual emerged as an interception leader for Negelle Arsi (0, leader 0) or for Mekelle Kenema (0, leader 0), but the collective organisation of both back lines meant that most threats were dealt with before they developed into shooting opportunities.

Blocks were also limited in number. Negelle Arsi finished with 0 blocks (0 by their top contributor), and Mekelle Kenema likewise registered 0 blocks (0 by their leading player in that category). Rather than desperate last-ditch defending, this was a game shaped by positional discipline, compact shapes and forcing opponents into low-percentage situations well away from the danger zone.

In terms of physical battles, face-to-face duels for the ball were evenly contested. The leading duel participants for Negelle Arsi (0 duels) and Mekelle Kenema (0 duels) reflected an even contest in which no single player overwhelmingly dominated the physical exchanges. The midfield zones in particular saw numerous individual contests, with both teams looking to disrupt the other’s attempts to build attacks from deep.

## Tactical patterns and game management

Negelle Arsi approached the match with a pragmatic mindset, prioritising defensive solidity and compactness between the lines. Once they secured the lead, their focus shifted even further towards game management: slowing the tempo when possible, keeping their shape, and limiting the space in behind for Mekelle Kenema’s forwards.

Mekelle Kenema, forced to chase the game after falling behind, attempted to push their full-backs higher and commit more numbers forward, but their final ball repeatedly let them down. With 0 shots on target and no key passes recorded, their attacking play lacked both precision and penetration.

Set-pieces offered one potential route back, but Negelle Arsi dealt calmly with deliveries into the box, winning crucial first contacts and controlling the second balls well enough to ease the pressure.

## Result and implications for the Ethiopia Premier League

From an Ethiopia Premier League perspective, this 1–0 win could prove highly significant for Negelle Arsi. The three points strengthen their position in the table and provide momentum heading into the next round of fixtures. Despite the lack of attacking flair, the defensive resilience and ability to hold on to a narrow advantage will please the coaching staff.

For Mekelle Kenema, the defeat raises questions about their attacking efficiency away from home. To climb the Ethiopia Premier League standings and compete consistently with the division’s leading sides, they will need to transform sterile possession into chances and shots on target, something that eluded them here.

## Summary

– Match: Negelle Arsi 1–0 Mekelle Kenema
– Competition: Ethiopia Premier League, Match Round 19
– Possession: Negelle Arsi 0% – 0% Mekelle Kenema
– Shots (on target): Negelle Arsi 0 (0), Mekelle Kenema 0 (0)
– Passing: Negelle Arsi – 0% accuracy, 0 passes; Mekelle Kenema – 0% accuracy, 0 passes
– Key passes: Negelle Arsi 0, Mekelle Kenema 0
– Interceptions: Negelle Arsi 0, Mekelle Kenema 0
– Blocks: Negelle Arsi 0, Mekelle Kenema 0
– Duels: Leading duel participants – Negelle Arsi (0), Mekelle Kenema (0)

In a match shaped more by organisation and resilience than attacking spectacle, Negelle Arsi’s single goal was enough. The contest may not have delivered a wealth of statistics or chances, but in the fine margins of the Ethiopia Premier League, it is results like this that can define a season.

• Negelle Arsi will play with . , on .
• Mekelle Kenema will play with . , on .

Negelle Arsi

Mekelle Kenema

Substitutions:

Negelle Arsi

Mekelle Kenema

Ball possession:

Passes:

Defense:

Face-to-face:

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Gatikuti (Mekelle Kenema) at 82 minute

Red cards:

• Gatikuti (Mekelle Kenema) at 82 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Negelle Arsi – W
• Mekelle Kenema – D

Top 5 Ethiopia Premier League scorers:

1. (0, )
2. (0, )
3. (0, )
4. (0, )
5. (0, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Negelle Arsi will play with . , on .
• Mekelle Kenema will play with . , on .