As expected, one game from the end Al-Ittihad (pictured) started celebrating the winning of their fifth successive championship and their 15th title in Libyan footballing history when they beat Al-Swaihili 2-1 Friday night. Their cross-town rivals Al-Ahli Tripoli helped them along and in fact gave them a big push to succeed when they unexpectedly lost against lowly placed Al-Anem Alaam and in the process also dropped to third.

Victory, obtained at the end of nine consecutive victories seems to have rewarded the champions’ consistency in the run up to the league title, during which they also put an end to Al-Ahli Tripoli’s ambitions when they beat them 2-0 two matches ago.

Therefore with only one more atch to go, Al-Ittihad have a six-point insurmountable lead over Al-Ahli Benghazi and seven over third-placed Al-Ahli Tripoli.

Against Al-Swaihili Friday night Al-Ittihad were once again made to sweat – though they already knew that the title was almost in the bag – as a draw was all they needed to make certain after Al-Ahli Benghazi’s victory that helped them to leapfrog into second place.

Al-Ittihad trailed 1-0 at half time against Al-Swaihili, but they managed victory with late goals by Riyadh Ellafi on 76 minutes, and Kamilu Dauda five minutes into stoppage time.

Defeat for Al-Ahli in this latest outing could even cost them a place in next season’s African Champions League as their namesakes from Benghazi who beat Khaleej 4-1 away in Sirte have overtaken them.

No wonder their fans are feeling so down-hearted after seeing their team lead the standings for most of at least three quarters of the season, and then to falter just when the finishing line appeared to be so close. They even failed to salvage some pride in their latest match.

Losing at home, to a team struggling for survival in the top division so late in the season is also an added blow. Their defeat could even have been more pronounced had not Nader Kara scored a consolation in time added on.

The 29th day’s most emphatic victory was obtained by Al-Ahli Benghazi at Sirte where they paved the way for a win with a 19th minute penalty conversion by Moataz Ben Amer (19), while Efiany (30) and a brace by Ibrahim el Khalil (76 and 85) rounded up their success.

The Benghazi side are hotly tipped to retain their runner-up spot when they host Al-Shat on the last day while the Tripolitanians are home to Al-Tirsana.

Despite a convincing away victory by 4-1 at already relegated Al-Jazeera, Wefaq Sabratha don’t seem to be capable of avoiding the drop themselves particularly after Al-Anem Alaam’s victory at Al-Ahli Tripoli that kept their companions in distress afloat by just one point.

The battle for fourth place could be decided on the last day when Alakhdar and Al-Nasser, both on 46 points, take on Al-Ittihad and Wefaq Sabratha respectively.

The highest scoring match was played out at Al-Shat who defeated Al-Olomby 5-2. The latter also had a player red carded, Abdulsalam Amokrebi, the scorer of the goal that put them ahead on 23 minutes. He was sent off in the 47th minute to leave his team to fight on with 10 men. It was too big a disadvantage it seems as that is when the Azzawya team conceded all their goals.

Finally, Al-Wehda, Relegated weeks ago, are finishing on a positive note after obtaining only their second victory in the campaign, beating Al-Tirsana 3-2.

Day 29 Results
Al-Ittihad v Al-Swaihili 2-1
Al-Ahli Tripoli v Al-Anem Alam 1-2
Khaleej Sirte v Al-Ahli Benghazi 1-4
Al-Madina v Alakhdar 3-1
Al-Hilal v Al-Nasser 3-2
Al-Jazeera v Wefaq Sabratha 1-4
Al-Shat v Al-Olomby 5-2
Al-Wehda v Al-Tirsana 3-2