Safa SC

Lebanese association football club From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Safa SC

Safa Sporting Club (Arabic: نادي الصفاء الرياضي, lit.'The Purity Sporting Club') is a football club based in Wata El Msaytbeh, a district in Beirut, Lebanon, that competes in the Lebanese Premier League. Founded in 1939, they have won three league titles, three domestic cups, one Super Cup, and two Elite Cups; they also reached the 2008 AFC Cup final.[2]

Quick Facts Full name, Nickname(s) ...
Safa
Full nameSafa Sporting Club
Nickname(s)النسور (The Eagles)[1]
Short nameSafa
Founded31 March 1939; 85 years ago (31 March 1939)
GroundSafa Stadium[a]
Capacity4,000
ChairmanRiad Atallah
ManagerBassem Marmar
LeagueLebanese Premier League
2023–24Lebanese Premier League, 4th of 12
Websitesafasc.com
Current season
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Safa is primarily supported by the Druze community.[3][4][5] Given their fanbase extends well in Mount Lebanon, including the city of Aley, they play the Mountain derby with Akhaa Ahli Aley.

History

Early history (1933–1961)

Founded in 1933 at an amateur level in the Wata El-Museitbeh of Beirut, Safa Sporting Club was officially established in 1939 by seven people: Maher Wahab, Anis Naaim, Hasib Al-Jerdi, Amin Haidar, Chafik Nader, Toufik Al-Zouhairy and Adib Haidar.[6]

On 23 December 1948, Safa obtained the official membership and license from the government as a private association.[6] In the same year, the club was affiliated to the Lebanese Football Association and was ranked within the Second Division.[7] In 1961, Safa was promoted to the First Division.[citation needed]

Recent history (2021–present)

After finishing the 2021–22 Lebanese Premier League in 11th place, Safa were due to be relegated to the Second Division for the first time.[8] However, following Shabab Bourj's withdrawal from the league, they were relegated in place of Safa.[9] Safa also narrowly avoided relegation the following season, finishing 10th above Salam Zgharta on account of their positive head-to-head record.[10]

Kit manufacturers

The following is a list of kit manufacturers worn by Safa.

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Period Kit manufacturer
1999–2008 Puma
2008–2010 Adidas
2010–2011 Lotto
2011–2015 Joma
2016–2017 Sportika SA
2017–2018 Jako
2018–2024 Joma
2024- Kelme
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Stadium

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...
Safa Stadium
ملعب نادي الصفاء الرياضي
Thumb
LocationWata El-Museitbeh
Coordinates33°52′29″N 35°29′31″E
Capacity4,000
Opened1948
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The Safa Stadium opened in 1948, and has a capacity of 4,000 spectators. Located in the Wata El-Museitbeh district of Beirut, the stadium is five minutes from the Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. While the stadium is of Safa's property, the club plays in various other stadiums around the country.[citation needed]

Club rivalries

Safa has important rivalries with Ansar and Nejmeh, both being based in Beirut. Safa also plays the Mountain derby with Akhaa Ahli,[11] as Akhaa is based in Aley, a city in Mount Lebanon, and Safa's support comes from the Druze community in Lebanon, who mainly live in Chouf and Aley districts.[citation needed]

Players

Current squad

As of 31 August 2024[12]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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Notable players

More information Competition, Player ...
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Honours

Domestic

Continental

Other achievements

Performance in AFC competitions

2008: Final
2009: Round of 16
2012: Group stage
2013: Group stage
2014: Round of 16
1992–93: Withdrew in first round
2000–01: Withdrew in first round

Managerial history

See also

Notes

  1. Only used as a training ground

References

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