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, delayed due to Libya's World Cup qualifiers, and, depending on the Libyan Cup, is scheduled to finish on June 26, 2009. 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. 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.

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.

Wahda Tripoli were the first club to be relegated following a 4–1 defeat to Ahly Benghazi on May 28, 2009.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. 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.

Promotion and relegation

Teams promoted from 2007–08 Libyan Second Division

Teams relegated to Libyan Second Division 2008–09

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Al-Ittihad SCSC (C)3022535415+39712010 CAF Champions League
2Al-Ahly SCSC3020736024+3667
3Al-Ahly Tripoli3020646224+38662010 CAF Confederation Cup
4Al-Akhdar30145113729+847
5Al-Nasr SCSC30137103831+746
6Khaleej Sirte30101283133−242
7Al-Tarsana301010103534+1402010 CAF Confederation Cup
8Asswehly301010103434040
9Al-Madina3091292827+139
10Aschat3098134357−1435
11Olympic Zawia3071493539−435
12Al-Hilal SCSC30710132542−1731
13Al-Amn Al-Aam (R)3086162237−1530Relegation to Libyan Second Division
14Wefaq (R)30611132233−1129
15Al-Jazeera Zuwara (R)3082202149−2822
16Al-Wehda SC (R)3025232565−4011

Results

Home \ AwayAHLBAHLTAKHAMNHILITTJAZKHAMADNSROLYSHTSWETERWAHWFQ
Al-Ahly SCSC1–11–04–02–01–03–00–11–12–15–22–03–13–04–11–0
Al-Ahly Tripoli2–23–21–22–00–24–04–00–02–01–04–11–22–02–13–1
Al-Akhdar2–01–21–00–00–01–01–02–02–02–11–01–13–11–04–1
Al-Amn Al-Aam0–20–11–03–10–22–12–00–10–11–30–31–20–21–00–0
Al-Hilal SCSC1–40–21–41–00–12–20–02–13–20–12–31–10–02–10–0
Al-Ittihad SCSC1–02–13–01–04–02–03–00–22–22–13–02–10–06–12–1
Al-Jazeera Zuwara1–21–21–41–10–10–21–21–01–01–23–21–01–01–01–0
Khaleej Sirte1–40–22–21–11–10–14–00–11–02–21–12–12–23–11–1
Al-Madina3–30–13–12–01–01–11–00–10–00–02–21–21–12–11–0
Al-Nasr SCSC1–12–22–01–02–01–01–01–21–10–01–23–01–04–01–4
Olympic Zawia0–12–41–12–11–10–12–00–00–02–20–11–11–00–02–0
Aschat3–31–92–00–23–31–12–10–02–02–15–22–30–41–21–1
Asswehly0–11–11–01–10–00–12–00–10–00–13–31–02–14–20–0
Al-Tarsana0–00–01–02–21–01–31–01–12–10–11–12–12–14–21–1
Al-Wehda SC0–20–20–10–10–11–50–11–22–22–31–11–11–33–21–1
Wefaq1–20–11–00–01–20–14–10–01–00–22–22–10–01–32–0

Team summary

ClubCityStadiumManagerSponsorKit SupplierPosition Last Season
Al-Ahly SCSCBenghaziMarch 28 Stadium1Serbia DraghonKia, LibyanaNike3rd
Al-Ahly TripoliTripoliJune 11 StadiumAlgeria Nourredine al Sa'adiAl Madar al JadeedNike2nd
Al-AkhdarBaydaGreen Document StadiumTunisia Omar al DheebAl Madar al JadeedAdidas4th
Al-Amn Al-AamTripoliGMR StadiumLibya Abdulraouf BnourMin AjlikumDiadora1st, Group B (Second Division)
Al-Hilal SCSCBenghazi28 March Stadium1Libya Ahmed al SanfaazAl Madar al JadeedNike1st, Group C (Second Division - Champions)
Al-Ittihad SCSCTripoliJune 11 StadiumItaly Stefano CusinTotal S.A., Al Madar al JadeedPuma1st
Al-Jazeera ZuwaraZuwaraZuwara Stadium2Tunisia Lutfi JabbaraAl Madar al JadeedAdidas10th
Al-MadinaTripoli11 June StadiumPalestine Mansour SaeedLibyanaDiadora7th
Al-Nasr SCSCBenghaziMarch 28 Stadium1Libya Naser al HdairyLibyanaPuma6th
Al-TarsanaTripoliAli Alsgozy StadiumLibya Khalid al MarjinyMin AjlikumAdidas11th
Al-Wehda SCTripoliGMR StadiumCzech Republic Otkar BarecMin AjlikumAdidas12th
AschatTripoliGMR StadiumTunisia Lutfi SellamiLibyanaPuma9th
AsswehlyMisrata9th July StadiumTunisia Khamees AlabaidyMin AjlikumPuma1st, Group A (Second Division)
Khaleej SirteSirteMarch 2 StadiumLibya Abdelhafidh ArbeeshLibyanaAdidas5th
Olympic ZawiaZawiyaZaawia StadiumLibya Izzedine KhmealahKia, LibyanaNike8th
WefaqSabrathaSabratha Stadium Ajaylat Stadium3Tunisia 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.

Awards

Season statistics

Goals

Discipline

  • First sending off of the season: Imaad al Khafi for Tersanah against Akhdar - October 17, 2008 (62nd minute)
  • 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 - Libya Mohammed Azzallawi)
  • First match refereed by a foreign referee: Ahly Tripoli vs. Ahly Benghazi (October 17, 2008 - Morocco Khalil Rouaissi)
  • 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

Top scorers

As of June 26, 2009

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

1 7 goals for Al Olomby

Stadia

2008–09 Libyan Premier League is located in Libya
Location of the 2008–09 Libyan Premier League teams
TeamStadiumCapacity
Al-Ahly Tripoli Al-Ittihad SCSC Al-Madina11 June Stadium60,000
Al-Ahly SCSC Al-Hilal SCSC Al-Nasr SCSC28 March Stadium Martyrs of February Stadium50,000 10,550
Olympic ZawiaZaawia Stadium14,000
Al-AkhdarAl Bayda Stadium9,000
Asswehly9 July Stadium8,000
Al-Amn Al-Aam Al-Wehda SC AschatGMR Stadium6,000
Al-TarsanaAli Alsgozy Stadium4,000
Khaleej Sirte2 March Stadium3,000
Al-Jazeera ZuwaraZuwara Stadium2,000
WefaqSabratha Stadium2,000

Attendances

The 2008-09 Libyan Premier League clubs sorted by average home league attendance:

#ClubAverage
1Al-Ittihad SCSC12,487
2Al-Ahly Tripoli11,832
3Al-Ahly SCSC3,842
4Al-Nasr SCSC2,716
5Al-Madina1,432
6Al-Akhdar1,198
7Khaleej Sirte987
8Al-Tarsana921
9Asswehly865
10Aschat812
11Olympic Zawia754
12Al-Hilal SCSC703
13Al-Amn Al-Aam482
14Wefaq438
15Al-Jazeera Zuwara314
16Al-Wehda SC276
Average per club2,504

See also

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