Lebanese Championship. Second Division
The Second Division of the Lebanese Championship stands as a vital tier in the nation's football structure, where determined clubs vie for promotion to the elite Premier League. Featuring teams from Beirut to Tripoli, it showcases vibrant competition focused on homegrown talent and survival battles. In the 2023/24 season, 12 sides compete for two spots in the top flight via playoffs, while avoiding relegation to the Third Division. This league captures the unwavering passion of Lebanese fans amid political and economic turbulence.
History and foundation
Established in the 1940s amid Lebanon's football reorganization under the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), the Second Division has launched clubs like Al-Ansar and Salam Zgharta to stardom. A notable episode: during the 1975–1990 civil war, games persisted sporadically as a beacon of unity. 2000s reforms modernized the setup, and in 2019, Al-Hurriya Saida clinched promotion despite nationwide protests. Recently, Safa Batroun made a comeback after a two-year hiatus.
Tournament format
The format is straightforward: 12 teams play a double round-robin — 22 matches total. Top finisher promotes directly, second enters playoffs against bottom Premier League teams. Bottom three face relegation. Season runs September to May with a winter break. Venues include 5,000–15,000-capacity grounds like Said Mohammed Hussein Stadium in Tripoli.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.4, emphasizing defensive resilience and quick counters. Top scorers include Ali Hussein of Al-Hurriya (18 goals in 2022/23) and Mohammed Amin from Shabab Saida (15). Standouts: midfielder Hassan Daib, now at Neftchi Baku, and goalkeeper Karim Khalil, ex-Al-Ahli Tripoli. It's a talent factory for Lebanon's national team, producing stars like Abbas Atom.