2008–09 Libyan Premier League Explained

Season:2008–09
Continentalcup2 Qualifiers:Ahly Tripoli
Tersanah (via cup)
League Topscorer:Samir Al Wahaj (Tersanah) - 19 goals
Biggest Home Win:Ittihad 6–1 Wahda Tripoli (21 May 2009)
Biggest Away Win:Shat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (5 June 2009)
Highest Scoring:Shat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (5 June 2009) (10 goals)
Total Goals:572
Average Goals:3.18
Longest Unbeaten:Ahly Benghazi - 16 matches (2009-02-08 to 2009-06-23)
Longest Losses:Wahda Tripoli - 8 matches (2008-12-27 to 2009-03-27)
Nextseason:2009–10

The 2008–09 Libyan Premier League season was the 42nd edition of the competition since its establishment in 1963. Al Ittihad were the defending champions, having won their fourteenth Libyan Premier League title with just one round of matches to spare in the previous season. The campaign began on Friday October 17, 2008,[1] [2] delayed due to Libya's World Cup qualifiers, and, depending on the Libyan Cup, is scheduled to finish on June 26, 2009.[3] A total of 16 teams contested the league, including 13 who competed in the previous season and three promoted from the Libyan Second Division. (see 2007–08 Libyan Second Division)

The first goal of the season was scored by newly promoted Wefaq Sabratha's Stefan de Paul against 2003-04 champions Al Olomby in the thirty-second minute of the game on the opening day of the season on October 17.[4] [5] Atef Hussein of Al Olomby scored the first hat-trick of the season against Al Sweahly on December 16, netting two in the final six minutes to help his side to a 3–3 draw.[6]

The season paused for its usual mid-season break. However, this season's break was extended due to the national team's participation in the 2009 African Championship of Nations, and participation (at club level) in Africa's continental competitions. The season continued on March 13.[7]

Wahda Tripoli were the first club to be relegated following a 4–1 defeat to Ahly Benghazi on May 28, 2009.[8] Wefaq Sabratha's relegation was also confirmed on June 18, 2009 despite defeating Jazeera 4–1, as other results went against them. Jazeera's defeat also meant that they would not be remaining in the division for next season.[9] Aman al Aam were relegated on the final day of the season. Although they defeated Khaleej Sirte 2–0, they needed Hilal Benghazi to lose to Sweahly to stay up on head-to-head record. Hilal secured a 0–0 draw, ensuring their survival by one point.

Ittihad Tripoli won the title on June 19, 2009 after defeating Sweahly 2–1 to gain an unassailable lead over second-placed Ahly Benghazi. This was Ittihad's 5th league title in succession, and their 15th overall.[10] [11]

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2007–08 Libyan Second Division

Teams relegated to Libyan Second Division 2008–09

Team summary

ClubCityStadiumManagerSponsorKit SupplierPosition Last Season
AhlyBenghaziMarch 28 Stadium1 DraghonKia, LibyanaNike3rd
AhlyTripoliJune 11 Stadium Nourredine al Sa'adiAl Madar al JadeedNike2nd
AkhdarBaydaGreen Document Stadium Omar al DheebAl Madar al JadeedAdidas4th
HilalBenghazi28 March Stadium1 Ahmed al SanfaazAl Madar al JadeedNike1st, Group C (Second Division - Champions)
IttihadTripoliJune 11 Stadium Stefano CusinTotal S.A., Al Madar al JadeedPuma1st
JazeeraZuwaraZuwara Stadium2 Lutfi JabbaraAl Madar al JadeedAdidas10th
MadinaTripoli11 June Stadium Mansour SaeedLibyanaDiadora7th
NasrBenghaziMarch 28 Stadium1 Naser al HdairyLibyanaPuma6th
OlombyZawiyaZaawia Stadium Izzedine KhmealahKia, LibyanaNike8th
ShatTripoliGMR Stadium Lutfi SellamiLibyanaPuma9th
SweahlyMisrata9th July Stadium Khamees AlabaidyMin AjlikumPuma1st, Group A (Second Division)
TersanahTripoliAli Alsgozy Stadium Khalid al MarjinyMin AjlikumAdidas11th
WahdaTripoliGMR Stadium Otkar BarecMin AjlikumAdidas12th
Aman al 'AamTripoliGMR Stadium Abdulraouf BnourMin AjlikumDiadora1st, Group B (Second Division)
KhaleejSirteMarch 2 Stadium Abdelhafidh ArbeeshLibyanaAdidas5th
WefaqSabrathaSabratha Stadium
Ajaylat Stadium3
Tariq ThabitAl Madar al JadeedNike2nd, Group A (Second Division)
Promoted via playoffs

1 As the 28 March Stadium was not re-opened until October 22, 2008, Benghazi clubs played at stadia selected by the Libyan Football Federation. Some fixtures were also re-arranged so that these clubs played away from home for rounds 1 & 2.
2 Due to Al Jazeera's ban from their Zuwara Stadium, the club will play their remaining home games at 9 July Stadium for the remainder of the season.
3 Wefaq Sabratha's used the Ajaylat Stadium from rounds 1-8 as their own Sabratha Stadium was undergoing maintenance.

NB: The newly constructed Benina Stadium will be used to host matches held in Benghazi, as the 28 March Stadium is undergoing maintenance. The 28 March Stadium will not be in use for the rest of this season.[12]

Awards

Season statistics

[4]

Goals

Discipline

Other

Top scorers

As of June 26, 2009

RankScorerClubGoals[20]
1 Samir al WahajTersanah19
2 Ahmed AbdelkafiShat17
3 Nader KaraAhly Tripoli14
4 Sarra CamaraNasr12
Ibrahim al KhalilAhly Benghazi
6 Atef Hussain1Ittihad11
Ahmed ZuwayIttihad
8 Abdelhameed ZidaneAkhdar10
9 Ahmed SaadAhly Tripoli9
Moataz Ben AmerAhly Benghazi
Younes BaltahaamAhly Benghazi
12 Wisaam BoukteafAkhdar8
Abdelmajid EddineNasr

1 7 goals for Al Olomby

Stadia

TeamStadiumCapacity
Ittihad
Ahly Tripoli
Madina
60,000
Ahly Benghazi
Nasr
Hilal
50,000
10,550
Olomby 14,000
Akhdar 9,000
Sweahly 8,000
Aman al Aam
Wahda
Shat
6,000
Tersana 4,000
Khaleej Sirte 3,000
Jazeera 2,000
Wefaq Sabratha 2,000

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. News: al Jaziri, Osama . Fixtures for 2008-09 Libyan Premier League season announced . ar. kooora.com . 2008-10-03 . 2009-04-19 .
  2. News: Keenly-Anticipated 2008/09 Libyan Football League Season Kicks-off Friday . Tripoli Post . 2008-10-17 . 2009-04-19 .
  3. http://www.football.ly/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:-16-&catid=1:2009-05-09-15-27-04&Itemid=2 Remaining dates for league fixtures
  4. http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=12813382 Libyan Premier League 2008-09 Statistics
  5. News: al Jaziri, Osama . Round-up of Round 1 Fixtures . ar . kooora.com . 2008-10-17 . 2009-04-19 .
  6. See 2008-09 Libyan Premier League#Round 8
  7. News: Libyan Football Federation releases fixtures for Round 16 . ar . kooora.com . 2008-03-10 . 2009-04-19 .
  8. News: Tripoli Post . In Al-Ahli Tripoli's Absence Al-Ittihad Open Four-point Lead at the Top . Tripoli Post . 2009-05-30 . 2009-05-30 .
  9. News: Osama al Jaziri . الدوري الليبي : هبوط وفاق صبراتة والجزيرة, والهلال والأمن العام يجددا الأمال في البقاء . kooora.com . 2009-06-18 . 2009-06-19 .
  10. News: Ali al Abaar . الأتحاد يعزز رقمه القياسى .. يتخطى السويحلى ويتوج بطلا للدورى الليبى للمرة الخامسة عشرة فى تاريخه . kooora.com . 2009-06-19 . 2009-06-19 .
  11. News: Al-Ittihad Are 2008/09 Libyan Champions; Defeat for Al-Ahli Tripoli Makes it Much Easier . Tripoli Post . 2009-06-20 . 2009-06-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717105305/http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=3&i=3290 . 2011-07-17 . dead .
  12. http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=15257817 Benghazi clubs to use Martyrs of February Stadium for league matches
  13. News: al Jaziri, Osama . http://www.kooora.com/default.aspx?showarticle=53582&obj=4056 . ar:سمير عبود أفضل حارس وأحمد الزوي أفضل مهاجم في الدوري الليبي حسب إستفتاء منتدى كووورة ليبية . ar . kooora.com . 2009-08-03 . 2009-08-14 .
  14. News: Al-Ahli's Home Defeat Leaves Al-Ittihad to Enjoy League Leadership . Tripoli Post . 2008-03-28 . 2009-04-19 .
  15. News: Tripoli Post . Al-Ahli Tripoli Hit Nine Goals to Register Season's Biggest Victory . Tripoli Post . 2009-06-07 . 2009-06-07 .
  16. News: Tripoli Post . Koulibaly nets four in Al-Ittihad's Convincing Win Over Bottom Team . Tripoli Post . 2009-05-23 . 2009-06-05 .
  17. News: Khaleej Sirte Miss Golden Chance to Share top Billing . Tripoli Post . 2008-12-17 . 2009-04-19 .
  18. News: Ten-man Al-Ahli of Tripoli Save a Point on Football League's Opening Day . Tripoli Post . 2008-10-18 . 2009-04-19 .
  19. See 2008-09 Libyan Premier League#Round 1
  20. Web site: List of Scorers . ar . 14 June 2009 . LFF . LFF . https://web.archive.org/web/20090614084405/http://www.football.ly/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34&Itemid=18. 14 June 2009 . live.