The first phase of the Libyan Premier League moved a step closer to its conclusion over the past few days with the fourteenth round of matches taking place.
Group 3, based in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, continues to be dominated by Olympic Azzaweya and Swehly Sports Club. Both teams remain undefeated with Azzaweya currently ahead of Swehly by three points having played one more match. The leaders based in Zawiya cruised to a 3-1 victory over Al Bashaer with Nigerian forward Emmanuel Ogbole opening the scoring.
For Swehly, led by several sub-Saharan African stars as well as top Libyan players, Tuesday's match featured a dominant 4-0 victory over Al Nahda. Libya national team playmaker Omar Al Khouja opened the scoring with Malian forward Fily Traoré adding a goal and an assist to continue a stellar campaign for the player acquired from TP Mazembe.
Group 3 Table (Tripoli)
GP | Points | |
Olympic Azzaweya | 13 | 33 |
Swehly SC | 12 | 30 |
Al Ittihad | 12 | 18 |
Shabab Al-Ghar | 12 | 18 |
Al Majd | 13 | 17 |
Abu Salim | 12 | 16 |
Al Bashaer | 12 | 12 |
Al-Tirsana | 13 | 11 |
Al Nahda | 13 | 0 |
The top three teams at the end of the first phase qualify for the championship stage.
The last place team is relegated.
The 7th and 8th place finishers qualify for the relegation stage.
After a perfect start through ten matches in Group 4, Al Ahli Tripoli are cooling down a bit. Coming up against a new and improved Al Madina side who spent big in the January transfer window, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Both teams are widely expected to qualify among the top three teams for the championship stage with Ahli nine points clear of second placed Madina.
Both goals came in the final minutes with league top scorer Mabululu converting from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. Zambia national team midfielder Kelvin Kampamba then set up fellow new signing Oto John for an equalizer five minutes into stoppage time, John's third goal already since signing in January.
Group 4 Table (Tripoli)
GP | Points | |
Al Ahli Tripoli | 12 | 32 |
Al Madina | 11 | 23 |
Al Ittihad Misurata | 11 | 17 |
Al Watan | 12 | 17 |
Al Malaab El Libby | 12 | 15 |
Al Dahra | 12 | 13 |
Al Khmes | 11 | 10 |
Abi Al Ashar | 11 | 9 |
Asaria | 12 | 8 |
Joining Al Ahli as a club with a great start that is experiencing a decline in form, Group 1 leaders Al Akhdar have now lost two consecutive matches after falling to Al Anwar on Tuesday. Angolan striker Ary Papel, last season's top scorer in the league, has only scored once in his last four matches.
Meanwhile, defending league champions Al Nasr Benghazi have won two straight matches and moved to within two points of Akhdar following a 1-0 victory over Khaleej Sirte. Palestine national team forward Tamer Seyam took a hard blow as he scored his second goal of the season in the 29th minute for the only goal of the match.
Group 1 Table (Benghazi)
GP | Points | |
Al Akhdar | 13 | 26 |
Al Nasr | 12 | 24 |
Al Tahaddi | 12 | 20 |
Al Suqoor | 13 | 19 |
Al Anwar | 12 | 17 |
Al Ansar | 12 | 12 |
Khaleej Sirte | 13 | 12 |
Al Borouq | 12 | 11 |
Wefaq Ajdabiya | 13 | 10 |
And finally in Group 2, the giants of Benghazi are well secure of a place in the championship stage. Al Ahly and Al Hilal both secured victories ahead of the next edition of the Benghazi Derby between the two teams on Thursday. Hilal defeated Al Andalus by a 3-1 score on Saturday while Al Ahly won 4-0 against Al Mahdia, leaving Ahly one point clear of their rivals at the top of the group.
Group 2 Table (Benghazi)
GP | Points | |
Al Ahly | 11 | 28 |
Al Hilal | 11 | 27 |
Al Taawun | 11 | 19 |
Al Sadaqa | 11 | 19 |
Al Andalus | 11 | 14 |
Al Murooj | 11 | 9 |
Al Branes | 11 | 5 |
Al Mahdia | 11 | 5 |
Because there are only eight clubs in the group, the bottom two teams will be relegated.
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