Libyan Premier League: Al Ahly Tripoli close to the final; Al Hilal fight back for Benghazi Derby draw

The Libyan Premier League, despite delays caused by instability in the region of the capital Tripoli, is in the final stretch of its Championship Stage after the eighth round from each group took place over the weekend.

The winners of each group qualify for a playoff to determine the league champion while the group runners-up will fight for third place and qualification to the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.

On Saturday in the West Group based in Tripoli, Al Ahli are one positive result away from securing their place in the final. Angola national team striker Mabululu opened the scoring and Libya national team star Muaid Ellafi also scored in a 4-0 thrashing of Al Ittihad Misurata.

All goals came in the second half as title favorites Ahli took a big step closer to clinching an expected place in the final. Swehly SC kept their hopes alive at the expense of Al Ittihad with a 4-1 victory courtesy of a brace from Omar Al Khouja. Ittihad will next face Al Ahli on Wednesday in a must-win match to keep the title chase alive.

There is a lot more suspense in the East Group based in Benghazi. Rivals Al Ahly and Al Hilal met for the fourth Benghazi Derby this season and Hilal produced an inspired comeback to draw 2-2.

After conceding two goals in the opening ten minutes, Hilal remain within reach with two points separating them from leaders Ahly. The Benghazi rivals end with neither team claiming the bragging rights for the season after a victory for each team along with two draws from their clashes.

Al Akhdar kept their hopes alive as well with a 2-1 victory over hapless Al Tahaddi, who have only earned two points from eight matches in this stage. Defending champions Al Nasr are all but out of the race for a spot in the final after they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Al Sadaqa.

The Tripoli group resumes play with the ninth round on Tuesday while the Benghazi group resumes on Wednesday with plenty still yet to be decided.

Results

West Group (Tripoli)

Al Ittihad Misurata 0-4 Al Ahli Tripoli

Al Madina 3-0 Olympic Azzaweya

Al Ittihad 1-4 Swehly SC

East Group (Benghazi)

Al Akhdar 2-1 Al Tahaddi

Al Sadaqa 1-1 Al Nasr

Al Hilal 2-2 Al Ahly

League Table (2 rounds remaining)

West Group (Tripoli)

East Group (Benghazi)

Ninth Round Fixtures

West Group (Tripoli)- June 18

Al Ahli Tripoli vs Al Ittihad

Olympic Azzaweya vs Al Ittihad Misurata

Swehly SC vs Al Madina

East Group (Benghazi)- June 19

Al Ahly Benghazi v Al Sadaqa

Al Nasr v Al Akhdar

Al Tahaddi v Al Hilal Benghazi