Libyan Premier League: Plenty of drama and goals on opening day of final stage

The Libyan Premier League commenced with its final championship stage on Friday in Milan, Italy with a total of nine goals from three games to kick off with plenty of action. League favorites Al Ahli Tripoli joined Al Akhdar as the winners on the opening matchday while Swehly SC and Al Hilal Benghazi provided an entertaining draw.

Al Ahli Tripoli produced a strong first half performance to down Al Ahly Benghazi by a 2-0 score. Rwanda national team midfielder Djihad Bizimana opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a long distance effort before Libyan internationals Muaid Ellafi and Hamdou Elhouni combined for Elhouni to double the lead nine minutes later.

The match was marked by controversy around halftime when an official from Al Ahly Benghazi was sent off and refused to leave the pitch, causing the game to be disrupted. Al Ahli Tripoli remain undefeated following the result as they look to assert themselves early on as the main contender for the league title.

The other two games from the day featured closely fought battles. Al Akhdar overcame Al Ittihad Tripoli by a 2-1 score courtesy of Ahmed Huwaydi’s header from a set piece in the 72nd minute. Al Ittihad’s veteran forward Saleh Al Taher equalized for Ittihad a few minutes before but goalkeeper Muad Allafi failed to keep out Huwaydi’s powerful header as Akhdar claimed all three points.

And the only draw of the day featured a thrilling 2-2 result between Swehly SC and Al Hilal Benghazi. The two teams exchanged first half goals with Hilal playmaker Faisal Al Badri equalizing from the penalty spot for a 1-1 halftime score. Hilal took the lead early in the second half but then Fily Traoré set up Ismail Tajouri-Shradi for a spectacular strike to equalize for Swehly and leave the teams level by the full time whistle.

All six teams will return to action on Tuesday for the second round of games in what looks set to be a closely contested final stage. In addition to determining the champions, Libya’s remaining places in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be settled by the final stage.