The Ethiopian Premier League's surprise package Dedebit FC finished the first round with a lead of five points, while Meta Abo Brewery prop up the table.

Following the first round home draw against Sebeta Kenema, newcomers Dedebit are on top with 42 points out of 17 matches. Their record under Webetu Abate is one defeat, three draws and 15 wins. With Temesgen Tekle, leading scorer of the league with 13 goals, at the forefront and skipper Mulugeta Meheret in the engine room nothing seems impossible.

Defending champion, Saint George, crushed hosts Dire Dawa 3-0 to stay second five points down from the leaders. Salhadin Said, back from a long injury layoff scored twice against Dire Dawa. New signing, last season's top scorer in the Rwandan League, Jimi Gatete, is in the squad for the second half of the season.

Despite a 1-0 home win over Metahara Suger FC, Meta Abo are still at the foot of the table with nine points from 17 matches. With two wins, three draws and eight defeats, Abdo Kedir's side has a difficult task ahead of them to stay in the top tier.

Second from bottom Dire Dawa Kenema have just 14 points and are another top candidate for relegation. Former champions Electric FC are third from bottom.

Teams from sixth down to 15th all have between 19 and 21 points. Four sides to go down at the end of the season, and the relegation survival battle looks likely to be the sensation of the season as the title looks to be between Dedebit and St George.

BGI's mouth-watering award for the top scorer is tickets to the 2010 South African World Cup Finals. In contention are Temesgen Tekle of Dedebit who leads with 13 goals, followed by Defense Force Seyfedin Hulder and Saint George Mohammed Naser, each with 10 goals apiece.

The second round kicks-off in the first week of March.

Source: CapitalEthiopia