| CSKA Sofia Win First Feb 17 Tournament 29/02/2012 18:48:00 | ||
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| Libyan football supporters celebrting the return of international football in the countryCompetitive football returned to Libya after a year that marked a complete change in in all sectors in the country and that also affected sports when one of the clubs in the eastern city of Benghazi organised the Martyrs of February 17th Football Tournament with the participation of local and foreign clubs that has been won by Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia.The occasion also marked the first time since the end of 2010 that Libyan football supporters were able to cheer their own footballers in meetings with international opposition on their own soil.The last time they had the chance to evaluate the strength of the Libyan game was on October 10 that year when Libya took on and defeated the newly crowned African Champions Zambia 1-0.Since then, due to the conflict that eventually ousted the Gaddafi era, no other foreign team has played in libya. The league championship was first postponed and then cancelled altogether in February with the start of the uprising.Clubs continued to play in continental competitions, by forfeiting their right to play at home in knockout ties, which were reduced to a single match at their opponent’s ground.The Libyan national team first had to play the rest of the Africa Cup of nations qualifiers on opposing or neutral grounds, using Mali and Egypt as their home grounds, and then after managing qualification to the finals, surprised the African football world with some good performances in the finals co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.The enthusiasm that the national team generated in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, overflowed among the football supporters.With the league championship for the current season also postponed, and the Libyan Football Federation trying to find back its feet as it reconstructs to shed away the influence of the Gaddafis, the tournament to commemorate the Martyrs of the Revolution has been seen as a tart towards that end.The tournament organised by the Al Nasser club did not bring the crowds but every football fan is satisfied that after this new beginning, football is back, and upon the reorganisation of the domestic championship, the country’s most popular sport will once again find the niche it deserves.The first tournament hosted by al-Nasser, ‘the Martyrs of February 17th Football Tournament’, played at the newly renamed The Heroes of February 17th” Stadium, was a triangular one with the participation of the host team, Al Nasser, Al Ahli Tripoli and 31-time Bulgarian champions CSKA.The tournament was played on the same day with three matches each of 45 minutes duration. In the first game, Ahli Tripoli defeated CSKA 1-0 with a goal scored by Tariq Q’tait.In the next game, the Bulgarians beat Al Nasser of Benghazi 2-0, then the two Libyan teams faced each other with Nasser defeating Ahli Tripoli in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw. The title went to CSKA on goal difference. CSKA’s Stanislav Kostov grabbed the prize for a best scorer.The toournament was a happy occasion that started with parachuters descending onto the stadium before the start of the tournament.The enthusiasm that reigned among the spectators throughout the matches was quite impressive. They waved the three-coloured – red, green and black – flag, and cheered loudly and beat on their drums when the Libyans scored, and chanting slogans such as “Raise the Libyan flag” and “Whether you like it or not, Benghazi was the spark”, referring to the start of Libyan uprising on February 17 last year.Fireworks were also set off during the break from one match to the other as the crowd sang Libya’s national anthem.This enthusiasm prompted Al Nasser’s captain Khaled Hussein saying that he hoped the tournament will help mark the beginning of a new era in Libyan football.CSKA’s Cameroonian midfielder Njongo Priso said it was a wonderful experience in a tournament for a worthwhile cause.Spectators also expressed their views, saying that watching football now felt great. It was different from watching matches during the revolution just for the sake of keeping keeping the game alive.Others said that they are looking forward to the new championship, when it comes with the new season in September or October under new management after the resignation en masse of members of the federation.The next tournament to commemorate the first anniversary of the February 17 uprising will commence in Tripoli and with the qualifiers on a round-robin basis. The top two teams qualify for the Arab Spring tournament to be played in Qatar.The five Libyan clubs competing are Al-Ittihad, al-Swaihily, al-Tersana, al-Akhdhar and al-Olomby. The first round will be played on March 3 with Ittihad playing Tersana in the opening match. | ||
CSKA Sofia Win First Feb 17 Tournament
**Amin Ahmed** is a Libyan journalist and contributor at TripoliPost, reporting on current affairs, business, and regional developments. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to fair, balanced journalism, he delivers stories that keep readers informed about Libya and the world beyond its borders. He can be reached at amin.ahmed@tripolipost.com
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