Nejmeh SC explained
Nickname: | Arabic: القلعة النبيذية (The Burgundy Castle)[1] |
Short Name: | Nejmeh |
Ground: | Rafic Hariri Stadium |
Capacity: | 5,000 |
Clubname: | Nejmeh |
Upright: | 0.8 |
Fullname: | Nejmeh Sporting Club |
Chairman: | Mazen Al Zaani |
Manager: | Dragan Jovanovic |
Leftarm1: | FF0000 |
Body1: | FF0000 |
Rightarm1: | FF0000 |
Shorts1: | AA2704 |
Socks1: | AA2704 |
Current: | 2023–24 Lebanese Premier League |
Website: | https://nejmehsc.com/ |
Nejmeh Sporting Club (Arabic: نادي النجمة الرياضي|lit=The Star Sporting Club) is a football club based in Manara, a neighbourhood in Ras Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, that competes in the .
The club was established in Beirut in 1945, and received its license in 1947. Nejmeh have won nine Lebanese Premier League titles, eight Lebanese FA Cups, 12 Lebanese Elite Cups, and seven Lebanese Super Cups. In Asia, Nejmeh were runners-up in the 2005 AFC Cup, where they lost to Al-Faisaly of Jordan.
Nejmeh is primarily supported by the Sunni Muslim community with a minority of Shiites and Druzes, and shares a historic rivalry with fellow Beirut-based club Ansar, known as the Beirut derby. The club's board is affiliated with the Future Movement political party and the Hariri family.[2] [3]
History
Nejmeh was founded in 1945 by the Druze and Sunni communities from Ras Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon,[4] as an association football club, with Anis Radwan as their first president.[5] This committee applied for a license at the Lebanese Government on 4 March 1947,[6] which was issued on 28 April. The choice of club's name is said to have came on 11 October 1945, when a meeting was held at Radwan's house at night to discuss the affairs of the team. Looking at the sky's stars, Radwan decided to call the team Nejmeh (The Star). The five-pointed star is the Druze's religious symbol.
On 25 July 1950, Nejmeh won the Lebanese Second Division, but were only officially promoted in 1951, during which Papken Poyajian was appointed president of the club. They first competed in the Lebanese Premier League during the 1953–54 season. Nejmeh finished runners-up in the Lebanese FA Cup twice: in 1951 and 1964, losing in the finals to Shabiba Mazraa and Safa respectively.[7]
Nejmeh lifted their first trophy, the Lebanese FA Cup, on 31 October 1971, when they won 3–1 against Safa.[8] Nejmeh's goals were scored by Jamal Al Khatib, Hassan Chatila, and Mahmoud Chatila. During the 1970s, Brazilian international players Pelé[9] [10] [11] [12] and Bebeto[13] [14] [15] played matches with Nejmeh as honorary guests.
Colours and badge
Ever since the club's foundation, the traditional and primary color of Nejmeh has been burgundy red. The club's badge was composed of a star in the center, in reference to the club's name which, in Arabic, means "Star". The two cedars on the side of the logo recalled Lebanon's national symbol.
In 2019 the logo underwent various changes: the star changed from white to gold, the cedars from green to burgundy and the text from burgundy to black. Other minor changes have also been made such as the enlargement of the width of the white border, and the shift of the text "BEIRUT 1945", which moved from the center of the star to underneath it.[16]
In 2023 the logo was drastically changed, with a more simplistic style being adopted. It became a pictogram of a burgundy "N" (for Nejmeh) and a "C" (for Club) fused together, with a gold star in the center. The text "1945" above and "BEIRUT" below are written in burgundy.[17]
Stadium
See main article: Rafic Hariri Stadium. The Rafic Hariri Stadium is located in Manara area of Beirut, Lebanon.[18] The stadium consists of a football field, and spaces that accommodate around 5,000 spectators, together with a VIP seats area that accommodates around 100 guests, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium.[19]
The old club stadium first consisted of a sand training field over the land number 704 in Ras Beirut area with no facilities or fences. The stadium went through a rehabilitation process, with improvements including implanting the field with grass, increasing the seats spaces to allow more spectators, and enhancing the stadium facilities, walls, and fences. The first phase of the process started in June 2003 and was completed in late March 2004.
On 21 February 2005, the stadium was named "The Martyr Rafic Hariri Stadium" in honour of the late Prime Minister.
Supporters
Founded on 9 February 2018,[20] Nejmeh's "Ultras Supernova" was the first ultras group to be introduced in Lebanon.[21] [22] [23] The name "Supernova" is a reference to the etymology of Nejmeh which, in Arabic, means "Star".
Prior to the Arab Club Champions Cup game against Al-Ahly of Egypt, played on 13 August 2018, seven "Ultras Supernova" fans were arrested by the Egyptian national security because of the negative connotations the word "Ultras" has in Egypt.[24] The fans were returned to Lebanon by request of the Lebanese Ambassador to Cairo.[25]
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Nejmeh ultras were employed by the Qatari government to act as Qatar national team fans during their games. The 1,500 "adopted" ultras wore maroon t-shirts with "Qatar" stamped on front, sang the Qatari national anthem and beat drums while singing chants.[26]
Club rivalries
The Beirut derby with Ansar has historically been the most anticipated game in Lebanon: both located in Beirut, Nejmeh and Ansar have shared the majority of titles. While Nejmeh has been more successful in Asia, Ansar holds the most league titles and FA Cups.[27]
In recent years another fierce rivalry has developed, between Nejmeh and Ahed. Also based in Beirut, Ahed have won the majority of league titles since the 2014–15 season. Tensions between the two teams have also forced the federation to change venues multiple times.[28] Most noticeably, in the 2016–17 season, Nejmeh refused to play against Ahed in the league title decider and were sanctioned six points by the federation.[29]
Another rivalry that has developed in recent years is with Salam Zgharta. Since the 2016–17 season, Salam Zgharta and Nejmeh have played various intense games between each other, with some escalating in offensive chants.[30]
Other important matches are with Safa and Racing, both located in the same city as Nejmeh.
Players
Current squad
[31]
Notable players
Honours
Domestic
League
Cup
- Lebanese FA Cup
- Winners (8): 1970–71, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2015–16, 2021–22, 2022–23
- Runners-up (9): 1950–51, 1963–64, 1995–96, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2020–21
- Lebanese Elite Cup (defunct)
- Winners (12; record): 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
- Runners-up (2): 1997, 2013
- Lebanese Super Cup
- Winners (7): 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2023
- Runners-up (5): 1996, 1997, 2005, 2018, 2021
Continental
Awards
- Best Team in Asia
- Winners (1): March 2000[33]
Performance in AFC competitions
In 1982, Nejmeh reached the Arab Club Champions Cup final but lost to Iraqi club Al-Shorta.[34] In 2005, Nejmeh reached the final of the AFC Cup and lost to Al-Faisaly of Jordan: this was the first time a Lebanese football team had reached the final of any Asian competition.
1996–97
Second round
2002–03
First round
2004
Quarter-finals
2005
Final
2006
Semi-finals
2007
Semi-finals
2010
Group stage
2014
Round of 16
2015
Group stage
2017
Group stage
2019
Group stage
2022
Group stage
2023–24
Group stage
2024–25
TBD
1990–91
First round
1997–98
First round
1998–99
First round
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: The Birth, Death and Re-Birth of Lebanese Football Ahdaaf. en-US. 25 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402204736/https://ahdaaf.me/2016/03/29/the-birth-death-and-re-birth-of-lebanese-football/. 2 April 2019. dead.
- Web site: تحالف النجمة والأنصار: فتّش عن السياسة . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713165445/https://al-akhbar.com/Sport_Lebanon/263396 . 13 July 2021 . 2021-07-13 . الأخبار . ar.
- Web site: 24 April 2021 . نهائيّ النجمة – الأنصار: هزيمة العهد.. ومشروع نائب . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713165711/https://www.asasmedia.com/news/388782%26p%3D260 . 13 July 2021 . 2021-07-13 . asasmedia.com.
- Web site: Alami. Mona. 1 September 2009. Religious about football. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110419190012/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?ID=111940. 19 April 2011. 15 October 2010. NOW Lebanon.
- Web site: Establishment of the club. 23 February 2019. NEJMEH SC. en-US. 17 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517170408/https://www.nejmehclub.com/our-history/. live.
- Web site: النجمة عميد الأندية اللبنانية... عراقة وتاريخ وإنجازات – Al Laeb Al Arabiاللاعب العربي. 2021-01-01. Al Laeb Al Arabi. ar-LB. 31 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220331075815/https://www.laebarabi.com/news/2020/3/11/--3. live.
- Web site: Stokkermans . Karel . Lebanon – List of Cup Winners . 5 March 2021 . RSSSF.
- Web site: 2020-05-14. النجمة بطل كأس لبنان للمرة الأولى عام 1971 – فادي سمعان. 2020-08-30. نداء الوطن. en. 29 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220829074434/https://www.nidaalwatan.com/article/20973-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%84-%D9%83%D8%A3%D8%B3-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-1971. live.
- http://forum.kooora.com/?t=5801520 pictures of the visit and details about Pelé's Nejmeh experience in Arabic.
- http://pelethebest.blogspot.com/2014/11/pele-em-hebraico-significa.html?m=1 Set of pictures of Pelé with Nejmeh SC in Lebanon
- http://blogbaladi.com/brazilian-football-legend-pele-played-for-lebanese-nejmeh-sc-in-1975/ Picture of Pelé with Nejmeh Club prior to the friendly game where he played for the team.
- Web site: 55bructrax . Feb 5, 2013 . Pelé, the day he postponed a war in Lebanon (April 6, 1975) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151010083805/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaO2EyaTSWs . Oct 10, 2015 . YouTube.
- http://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/former-brazilian-world-cup-winner-bebeto-wearing-a-t-shirt-news-photo/2554235 Bebeto in the Nejmeh Club kit during the game.
- http://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/famous-brazilian-soccer-player-bebeto-gives-the-thumbs-up-news-photo/2548910 Picture of Bebeto in Beirut with details about the visit.
- Web site: O Portal de Notícias do Estado de S. Paulo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829074420/https://www.estadao.com.br/ . 29 August 2022 . 26 July 2016.
- Web site: شعار جديد لنادي النجمة. Elsport News. ar. 2019-07-17. 17 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717225718/https://www.elsport.com/news/show/499273/%25D8%25B4%25D8%25B9%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B1-%25D8%25AC%25D8%25AF%25D9%258A%25D8%25AF-%25D9%2584%25D9%2586%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AF%25D9%258A-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2586%25D8%25AC%25D9%2585%25D8%25A9. live.
- Web site: 2023-07-26 . رسميًا.. النجمة يجري تعديلا جوهريا على شعاره القديم . 2023-07-27 . كووورة . 27 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727193759/https://www.kooora.com/?n=1257227 . live .
- Web site: Discover old Beirut in these 15 amazing photos. Kabboul. Tamarah. the961.com. 8 February 2019. en-ca. 23 February 2019. 24 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062445/https://www.the961.com/old-lebanon/discover-old-beirut-in-these-15-amazing-photos. live.
- Web site: The Stadium . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062611/https://www.nejmehclub.com/the-stadium/ . 24 February 2019 . 13 June 2022 . Nejmeh SC.
- Web site: السوبرنوفا في الذكرى الثانية للتأسيس: حلمنا ان نرفع إسم نادينا عالمياً. Lebanon. Football. football-lebanon.com. 2020-02-10.
- Web site: المدرجات لا تعترف إلا بالشجعان. lebanonfg.com. en. 23 February 2019. 24 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173357/https://lebanonfg.com/single/1995. live.
- Web site: Ultras Supernova: Lebanon's First Ultras Group. COPA90. Facebook. en. 23 February 2019. 5 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201005181820/https://www.facebook.com/COPA90/videos/1672583962826738//. live.
- Web site: مباريات قويّة في الجولة العاشرة. الأخبار. ar. 23 February 2019. 24 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002154/https://al-akhbar.com/Sport_Lebanon/262782. live.
- Web site: قضية مشجعي "النجمة" الموقوفين في مصر... ماذا جرى معهم؟. LBCI Lebanon. ar. 23 February 2019. 24 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001823/https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/sports-lebanon/395144/%D9%82%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D9%88%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%87%D9%85/ar. live.
- Web site: Lebanese Nejmeh fans to be deported days after arrest at Borg al-Arab Stadium MadaMasr. madamasr.com. 25 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190225162050/https://madamasr.com/en/2018/08/16/news/u/lebanese-nejmeh-fans-to-be-deported-days-after-arrest-at-borg-al-arab-stadium/amp/. 25 February 2019. dead.
- News: Montague . James . 28 November 2022 . The Fans Screamed for Qatar. Their Passion Hid a Secret. . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . 29 November 2022 . 29 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129163243/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/28/sports/soccer/world-cup-fans-qatar-ultras.html . live .
- Web site: Great Asian Derbies – Al Ansar SC vs Nejmeh SC (Beirut). GhanaSoccernet. en. 23 February 2019. 10 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710133111/https://ghanasoccernet.com/great-asian-derbies-al-ansar-sc-vs-nejmeh-sc-beirut. live.
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- Web site: النجمة عميد الأندية اللبنانية... عراقة وتاريخ وإنجازات – Al Laeb Al Arabiاللاعب العربي. 2020-08-16. Al Laeb Al Arabi. ar-LB. 31 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220331075815/https://www.laebarabi.com/news/2020/3/11/--3. live.
- Web site: Bazzi '12 Signs Professional Contract With Nejmeh Sporting Club in Lebanon. University of Detroit Mercy Athletics. 19 September 2013 . en. 2019-11-07. 7 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191107120823/https://detroittitans.com/news/2013/9/19/MSOC_0919135154.aspx. live.
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