2008–09 Libyan Premier League

The 2008–09 Libyan Premier League season was the forty-first 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)

Libyan Premier League
Season2008–09
ChampionsIttihad Tripoli
RelegatedWahda Tripoli
Jazeera
Wefaq Sabratha
Aman al Aam
Champions LeagueIttihad Tripoli
Ahly Benghazi
Confederation CupAhly Tripoli
Tersanah (via cup)
Goals scored572
Average goals/game3.18
Top goalscorerSamir Al Wahaj (Tersanah) - 19 goals
Biggest home winIttihad 6–1 Wahda Tripoli (21 May 2009)
Biggest away winShat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (5 June 2009)
Highest scoringShat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (5 June 2009) (10 goals)
Longest unbeaten runAhly Benghazi - 16 matches (2009-02-08 to 2009-06-23)
Longest losing runWahda Tripoli - 8 matches (2008-12-27 to 2009-03-27)

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][7]

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.[8]

Wahda Tripoli were the first club to be relegated following a 4–1 defeat to Ahly Benghazi on May 28, 2009.[9]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.[10] 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.[11][12]

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2007–08 Libyan Second Division

Teams relegated to Libyan Second Division 2008–09

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Ittihad (C) 30 22 5 3 54 15 +39 71 2010 CAF Champions League
2 Ahly Benghazi 30 20 7 3 60 24 +36 67
3 Ahly Tripoli 30 20 6 4 62 24 +38 66 2010 CAF Confederation Cup
4 Akhdar 30 14 5 11 37 29 +8 47
5 Nasr 30 13 7 10 38 31 +7 46
6 Khaleej Sirte 30 10 12 8 31 33 −2 42
7 Tersanah 30 10 10 10 35 34 +1 40[lower-alpha 1] 2010 CAF Confederation Cup[lower-alpha 2]
8 Sweahly 30 10 10 10 34 34 0 40[lower-alpha 1]
9 Madina 30 9 12 9 28 27 +1 39
10 Shat 30 9 8 13 43 57 −14 35[lower-alpha 3]
11 Olomby 30 7 14 9 35 39 −4 35[lower-alpha 3]
12 Hilal 30 7 10 13 25 42 −17 31
13 Aman al Aam (R) 30 8 6 16 22 37 −15 30 Relegation to Libyan Second Division
14 Wefaq Sabratha (R) 30 6 11 13 22 33 −11 29
15 Jazeera (R) 30 8 2 20 21 49 −28 22[lower-alpha 4]
16 Wahda (R) 30 2 5 23 25 65 −40 11
Updated to match(es) played on June 26, 2009. Source: RSSSF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. TER 2–1 SWE; SWE 2–1 TER
  2. Tersanah qualify for CAF Confederation Cup as cup runners-up, as Ittihad had already secured a CAF Champions League place
  3. OLY 0–1 SHT; SHT 5–2 OLY
  4. Jazeera deducted four points[13][14][15][16]

Results
Home \ Away AHLB AHLT AKH AMN HIL ITT JAZ KHA MAD NSR OLY SHT SWE TER WAH WFQ
Ahly Benghazi 1–1 1–0 4–0 2–0 1–0 3–0 0–1 1–1 2–1 5–2 2–0 3–1 3–0 4–1 1–0
Ahly Tripoli 2–2 3–2[lower-alpha 1] 1–2 2–0 0–2 4–0 4–0 0–0 2–0 1–0 4–1 1–2 2–0 2–1 3–1
Akhdar 2–0[lower-alpha 2] 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 1–1 3–1 1–0 4–1
Aman al Aam 0–2 0–1 1–0 3–1 0–2 2–1 2–0 0–1 0–1 1–3 0–3 1–2 0–2 1–0 0–0
Hilal 1–4 0–2 1–4 1–0 0–1 2–2 0–0 2–1 3–2 0–1 2–3 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–0
Ittihad 1–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 4–0 2–0 3–0 0–2 2–2 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–0 6–1 2–1
Jazeera 1–2 1–2[lower-alpha 3] 1–4 1–1 0–1 0–2[lower-alpha 4] 1–2 1–0 1–0 1–2 3–2 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0
Khaleej Sirte 1–4 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–1 4–0 0–1 1–0 2–2 1–1 2–1 2–2 3–1 1–1
Madina 3–3 0–1 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–1 2–1 1–0
Nasr 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–2 3–0 1–0 4–0 1–4
Olomby 0–1 2–4 1–1 2–1 1–1 0–1 2–0 0–0 0–0 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–0 0–0 2–0
Shat 3–3 1–9 2–0[lower-alpha 5] 0–2 3–3 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–0 2–1 5–2 2–3 0–4 1–2 1–1
Sweahly 0–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 3–3 1–0 2–1 4–2 0–0
Tersanah 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 1–0 1–3 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 4–2 1–1
Wahda 0–2 0–2 0–1 0–1 0–1 1–5 0–1 1–2 2–2 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 3–2 1–1
Wefaq Sabratha 1–2 0–1 1–0 0–0 1–2 0–1 4–1 0–0 1–0 0–2 2–2 2–1 0–0 1–3 2–0
Updated to match(es) played on 26 June 2009. Source: goalzz.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. Match abandoned in the 94th minute with the score 3–2 after Joseph Fausto's sending off. Fighting broke out, and the referee was struck by a missile from the crowd. Remaining minute played on December 3, with no change to the result.[17]
  2. The game ended 0–0, but was later awarded as a 2–0 win to Akhdar, as Ahly Benghazi played a suspended player[18]
  3. This match was suspended at half-time with the score at 1–1, as fighting broke out between both sets of supporters. The second half was played at the 2 March Stadium.[19][20]
  4. Match awarded 2–0 to Ittihad after Jazeera fans invaded pitch and attacked referee, after Ittihad's 95th-minute winner. The referee had earlier given 9 minutes of stoppage time[13]
  5. Match awarded 2–0 to Shat after it was discovered that Akhdar played a suspended player. Match had originally finished 3–1 to Akhdar

Team summary
Club City Stadium Manager Sponsor Kit Supplier Position Last Season
Ahly Benghazi March 28 Stadium1 Draghon Kia, Libyana Nike 3rd
Ahly Tripoli June 11 Stadium Nourredine al Sa'adi Al Madar al Jadeed Nike 2nd
Akhdar Bayda Green Document Stadium Omar al Dheeb Al Madar al Jadeed Adidas 4th
Hilal Benghazi 28 March Stadium1 Ahmed al Sanfaaz Al Madar al Jadeed Nike 1st, Group C (Second Division - Champions)
Ittihad Tripoli June 11 Stadium Stefano Cusin Total S.A., Al Madar al Jadeed Puma 1st
Jazeera Zuwara Zuwara Stadium2 Lutfi Jabbara Al Madar al Jadeed Adidas 10th
Madina Tripoli 11 June Stadium Mansour Saeed Libyana Diadora 7th
Nasr Benghazi March 28 Stadium1 Naser al Hdairy Libyana Puma 6th
Olomby Zawiya Zaawia Stadium Izzedine Khmealah Kia, Libyana Nike 8th
Shat Tripoli GMR Stadium Lutfi Sellami Libyana Puma 9th
Sweahly Misrata 9th July Stadium Khamees Alabaidy Min Ajlikum Puma 1st, Group A (Second Division)
Tersanah Tripoli Ali Alsgozy Stadium Khalid al Marjiny Min Ajlikum Adidas 11th
Wahda Tripoli GMR Stadium Otkar Barec Min Ajlikum Adidas 12th
Aman al 'Aam Tripoli GMR Stadium Abdulraouf Bnour Min Ajlikum Diadora 1st, Group B (Second Division)
Khaleej Sirte March 2 Stadium Abdelhafidh Arbeesh Libyana Adidas 5th
Wefaq Sabratha Sabratha Stadium
Ajaylat Stadium3		 Tariq Thabit Al Madar al Jadeed Nike 2nd, 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.[21]

Awards

Season statistics

[4]

Goals
  • First match of the season: October 17, 2008 - Akhdar vs. Tersanah, 14:00 EET[23]
  • First goal of the season: Stefan de Paul for Wefaq Sabratha against Olomby, 38 minutes and 46 seconds (October 17, 2008)[23]
  • Last goal of the season: Adnan Belaid for Ahly Tripoli against Tersanah, 84th minute (June 26, 2009)
  • Fastest goal of the season: 11 seconds - Ismael Bangoura for Al Sweahly against Al Ahly Tripoli (March 25, 2009)[24]
  • First own goal of the season: Jasim al Toumi (Wahda) for Nasr, 90+1 minutes and 32 seconds (April 11, 2009)
  • Goal scored at latest point in a match: 90+6 minutes and 36 seconds - Imad al Traiky for Tersanah against Aman al Aam (December 16, 2008)[6][7]
  • Widest winning margin: 8 goals: Shat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (June 5, 2009)[25]
  • Most goals in a match: 10 goals: Shat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (June 5, 2009)[25]
  • Most goals in one half: 6 goals - Shat 1–9 Ahly Tripoli (June 5, 2009) 0–4 half time, 1–9 final[25]
  • Most goals scored by one player in a match: 4 goals - Pierre Koulibaly (Ittihad Tripoli) against Wahda Tripoli,  16' (pen.)  24'  29'  81' (21 May 2009)[26]
  • First hat-trick: Atef Hussein for Olomby vs Sweahly (December 17, 2008)[6][7]
  • Fastest hat-trick: Pierre Koulibaly (Ittihad Tripoli) against Wahda (May 21, 2009);  16' (pen.)  24'  29' (13 minutes and 28 seconds)[26]
  • Most goals in one half by a single team: 5 goals - Shat vs. Ahly Tripoli (21 May 2009) 0–4 at half time, 1–9 final[25]

Discipline
  • First sending off of the season: Imaad al Khafi for Tersanah against Akhdar - October 17, 2008 (62nd minute)[23][27]
  • Card given at latest point in a game: Mahmoud Makhlouf (red) at 90+8 minutes and 4 seconds for Ittihad against Jazeera (January 16, 2009)
  • First match referred by a Libyan referee: Akhdar vs. Tersanah (October 17, 2008 - Mohammed Azzallawi)[27]
  • First match refereed by a foreign referee: Ahly Tripoli vs. Ahly Benghazi (October 17, 2008 - Khalil Rouaissi)[27]
  • Most red cards in a single match: 4: Akhdar 1–0 Khaleej Sirte - 2 for Akhdar (Khalifa al Mear & Marei Al Ramly) and 2 for Khaleej (Mohammad Abu Rqiqa & Mohammad Shleeq) (June 13, 2009)

Other
  • Longest injury time of season: 15 minutes, 4 seconds - Ahly Tripoli 0–2 Ittihad Tripoli (June 10, 2009)

Top scorers

As of June 26, 2009

Rank Scorer Club Goals[28]
1 Samir al Wahaj Tersanah 19
2 Ahmed Abdelkafi Shat 17
3 Nader Kara Ahly Tripoli 14
4 Sarra Camara Nasr 12
Ibrahim al Khalil Ahly Benghazi
6 Atef Hussain1 Ittihad 11
Ahmed Zuway Ittihad
8 Abdelhameed Zidane Akhdar 10
9 Ahmed Saad Ahly Tripoli 9
Moataz Ben Amer Ahly Benghazi
Younes Baltahaam Ahly Benghazi
12 Wisaam Boukteaf Akhdar 8
Abdelmajid Eddine Nasr

1 7 goals for Al Olomby

Stadia
Khaleej
Benghazi
Jazeera
Tripoli
Ahly
Ittihad
Aman al Aam
Tersanah
Shat
Wahda
Madina
Ahly
Hilal
Nasr
Location of the 2008–09 Libyan Premier League teams
Team Stadium Capacity
Ittihad
Ahly Tripoli
Madina		11 June Stadium60,000
Ahly Benghazi
Nasr
Hilal		28 March Stadium
Martyrs of February Stadium		50,000
10,550
OlombyZaawia Stadium14,000
AkhdarAl Bayda Stadium9,000
Sweahly9 July Stadium8,000
Aman al Aam
Wahda
Shat		GMR Stadium6,000
TersanaAli Alsgozy Stadium4,000
Khaleej Sirte2 March Stadium3,000
JazeeraZuwara Stadium2,000
Wefaq SabrathaSabratha Stadium2,000
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See also

References
  • N.B : Registration required to access archived articles on kooora.com
  1. al Jaziri, Osama (2008-10-03). "Fixtures for 2008-09 Libyan Premier League season announced" (in Arabic). kooora.com. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  2. "Keenly-Anticipated 2008/09 Libyan Football League Season Kicks-off Friday". Tripoli Post. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  3. Remaining dates for league fixtures (in Arabic) LFF, June 13, 2009, Retrieved June 13, 2009
  4. Libyan Premier League 2008-09 Statistics
  5. al Jaziri, Osama (2008-10-17). "Round-up of Round 1 Fixtures" (in Arabic). kooora.com. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  6. See 2008-09 Libyan Premier League#Round 8
  7. "Khaleej Sirte Miss Golden Chance to Share top Billing". Tripoli Post. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  8. "Libyan Football Federation releases fixtures for Round 16" (in Arabic). kooora.com. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  9. Tripoli Post (2009-05-30). "In Al-Ahli Tripoli's Absence Al-Ittihad Open Four-point Lead at the Top". Tripoli Post. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  10. Osama al Jaziri (2009-06-18). "الدوري الليبي : هبوط وفاق صبراتة والجزيرة , والهلال والأمن العام يجددا الأمال في البقاء". kooora.com. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  11. Ali al Abaar (2009-06-19). "الأتحاد يعزز رقمه القياسى .. يتخطى السويحلى ويتوج بطلا للدورى الليبى للمرة الخامسة عشرة فى تاريخه". kooora.com. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  12. "Al-Ittihad Are 2008/09 Libyan Champions; Defeat for Al-Ahli Tripoli Makes it Much Easier". Tripoli Post. 2009-06-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  13. "Al-Jazeera Sanctioned for Causing Abandonment". Tripoli Post. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  14. 18 January 2009, Libyan Competitions Committee Releases Statement on Jazeera-Ittihad match (in Arabic), kooora.com, Accessed 18 January, 2009
  15. 20 January 2009, Information about Sweahly-Jazeera match (in Arabic), kooora.com, Accessed January 20, 2009
  16. 26 January 2009, Libyan Football Federation punishes Jazeera (in Arabic), kooora.com, Accessed January 26, 2009
  17. "Al-Ahli Inflict First Defeat on Alakhdar in Eventful Game". Tripoli Post. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  18. "Penalty-goal Paves Way for Al-Ahli of Tripoli's Convincing Win". Tripoli Post. 2008-12-22. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  19. "Benghazi's Al-Ahli Suffer First Loss; Tripoli's Match with Al-Jazeera Suspended". Tripoli Post. 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  20. "Al-Ahli of Tripoli Win 'abandoned' match after 45 minutes on Neutral Ground". Tripoli Post. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  21. Benghazi clubs to use Martyrs of February Stadium for league matches (in Arabic)
  22. al Jaziri, Osama (2009-08-03). سمير عبود أفضل حارس وأحمد الزوي أفضل مهاجم في الدوري الليبي حسب إستفتاء منتدى كووورة ليبية (in Arabic). kooora.com. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  23. "Ten-man Al-Ahli of Tripoli Save a Point on Football League's Opening Day". Tripoli Post. 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  24. "Al-Ahli's Home Defeat Leaves Al-Ittihad to Enjoy League Leadership". Tripoli Post. 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  25. Tripoli Post (2009-06-07). "Al-Ahli Tripoli Hit Nine Goals to Register Season's Biggest Victory". Tripoli Post. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  26. Tripoli Post (2009-05-23). "Koulibaly nets four in Al-Ittihad's Convincing Win Over Bottom Team". Tripoli Post. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  27. See 2008-09 Libyan Premier League#Round 1
  28. "List of Scorers". LFF (in Arabic). LFF. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
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