The Libyan Premier League is scheduled to start on Monday, ending a long wait for football fans in Libya. This season marks the 53rd edition of the competition, with 28 teams divided into two groups of 14 teams each. The teams have been distributed geographically to reduce travel costs and time. This change is a result of the Libyan Football Federation's decision to reduce the number of teams participating in the league.
The Libyan Football Federation, led by Dr. Abdelmouli Al-Magribi, has been working to reform the league's format. One of the key changes is the elimination of the "Dorina" playoff system, which was used to determine the league champion. Instead, the team with the most points in each group will be declared the winner. The two teams with the most points in each group will qualify for the final match to determine the league champion.
The teams have been divided into two groups based on their geographical location. Group one consists of teams from the Tripoli, Misrata, and Western regions, while group two comprises teams from the Gulf of Sirte, Benghazi, and Southern regions. Some of the top teams in group one include Al-Ahli Tripoli, Al-Sweehli, and Al-Ittihad. In group two, teams like Al-Nasr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli Benghazi are expected to compete for the top spot.
The Libyan Football Federation has approved 21 stadiums for the upcoming season. The stadiums are located in various cities across Libya, including Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata. The federation has also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the stadiums meet the required standards for hosting league matches.
The league's schedule has been released, with the first round set to kick off on Monday. Some of the top matches in the first round include Al-Olympic vs. Al-Sabah and Al-Shabab Al-Gar vs. Al-Ittihad Al-Misrati. The league will consist of 26 rounds, with each team playing 26 matches.
The Libyan authorities have not yet approved the attendance of fans at league matches. This means that the upcoming season will be played behind closed doors. The federation has urged fans to support their teams through social media and other channels.
The upcoming season promises to be exciting, with several top teams competing for the league title. Al-Ahli Tripoli, Al-Sweehli, and Al-Nasr are among the favorites to win the title. However, other teams like Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli Benghazi, and Al-Ittihad Al-Misrati are also expected to put up a strong challenge.
Key points
- The Libyan Premier League's 53rd season will feature 28 teams competing in two groups of 14 teams each.
- The teams have been distributed geographically to reduce travel costs and time.
- The Libyan authorities have not yet approved the attendance of fans at league matches.
