2023–24 Egyptian Second Division A

The 2023–24 Egyptian Second Division A season was the inaugural edition of the Egyptian Second Division A, the new second-highest level in the Egyptian football league system. It succeeded the old Egyptian Second Division, which was abolished and replaced with the new Second Division A and Second Division B as the new second and third-tier leagues, respectively, with the latter retaining the format used by the abolished league.[1] Fixtures for the 2023–24 season were announced on 22 August 2023.[2]

Egyptian Second Division A
Season2023–24
Dates24 September 2023 – 9 May 2024 (regular season)
22 May – 26 June 2024 (play-offs)
ChampionsPetrojet
1st title
PromotedPetrojet
Ghazl El Mahalla
Haras El Hodoud
RelegatedDikernis
Makadi
Gomhoriat Shebin
Nogoom
Misr Lel Makkasa
Al Nasr Lel Taa'den
Matches played280
Goals scored623 (2.23 per match)
Biggest home winAbou Qir Fertilizers 5–0 Al Nasr Lel Taa'den
(13 November 2023)
Biggest away winNogoom 0–3 El Qanah
(9 October 2023)
Misr Lel Makkasa 0–3 La Viena
(8 January 2024)
Misr Lel Makkasa 0–3 Tanta
(29 January 2024)
Highest scoringHaras El Hodoud 6–2 Misr Lel Makkasa
(20 November 2023)
(Note: All statistics do not include play-offs round)

The season started on 24 September 2023, and concluded on 26 June 2024.

Petrojet were crowned champions of the first edition of the league with three matches to spare, following a 3–0 win over Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar on 16 April 2024, and secured promotion back to the Egyptian Premier League after a four-year absence.[3] They were joined by Ghazl El Mahalla (runners-up) and Haras El Hodoud (promotion play-offs winners), who both suffered an immediate return to the league after getting relegated in the previous season.[4][5]

Format

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The league consist of 20 teams in one group.[6] The final format was confirmed by Egyptian Football Association board member Ehab El Komy on 8 August 2023, after changes were made to the initial format announced on 19 June 2023.[7]

The season is separated into two phases: In the first phase, teams face each other only once in a single-leg tie, then the league split into two groups. Phase two consist of a promotion group for teams finishing from first to tenth, and a relegation group for teams finishing from 11th to 20th in the first phase.[8] The top two teams in the promotion group earn promotion to the Egyptian Premier League, while the third-placed team play against the three play-off winners from the 2023–24 Egyptian Second Division B in a four-team play-off round, to decide the third promoted team to the Premier League. This means that there's a chance for Second Division B sides to skip a level and earn promotion directly to the Premier League without playing in the Second Division A. Teams finishing in the bottom six in the relegation group face relegation to the Second Division B.[9] Later, it was announced that this season's format is exceptional, and will change in the next season.[10]

Teams

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Locations of Egyptian Second Division A teams from Greater Cairo (Cairo and Giza)

Three teams were relegated from the Premier League, three teams were promoted from the third division through promotion play-offs, while the remaining 14 teams secured their spot through the second division.

Stadiums and locations

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Team Location Stadium[note 1] Capacity 2022–23 season
Abou Qir Fertilizers Abou Qir Abou Qir Fertilizers Stadium 3,000 4th in Second Division Group C
Aswan Aswan (Corniche Nile) Aswan Stadium 11,000 16th in Premier League
Asyut Petroleum Manfalut Asyut Petroleum Stadium 6,000 3rd in Second Division Group A
Dikernis Dikernis Hamdino Abdel Galil Stadium 8,000 3rd in Second Division Group C
Ghazl El Mahalla El Mahalla El Kubra Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium 14,564 17th in Premier League
Gomhoriat Shebin Shebin El Kom Gomhoriat Shebin Stadium 6,000 5th in Second Division Group C
Haras El Hodoud Mahatet El Raml Haras El Hodoud Stadium 22,000 18th in Premier League
La Viena Meidum Al Assiouty Sport Resort 6,000 2nd in Second Division Group A
Makadi Hurghada Khaled Bichara Stadium 12,000 1st in Third Division Promotion Group A[note 2]
Misr Lel Makkasa Faiyum (Ibshway) Beni Suef Stadium 10,000 5th in Second Division Group A
Al Nasr Lel Taa'den Edfu Al Nasr Lel Taa'den Stadium 4,000 4th in Second Division Group A
Nogoom 6th of October Al Solaimaneyah Club Stadium 3,000 1st in Third Division Promotion Group B[note 3]
Petrojet Suez (Faisal) Cairo Military Academy Stadium 28,500 5th in Second Division Group B
Proxy Abou El Matamir Proxy Work Stadium 4,000 1st in Second Division Play-offs[note 4]
El Qanah Ismailia (Sheikh Zayed) Suez Canal Stadium 22,000 4th in Second Division Group B
Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar Kafr El Dawar Haras El Hodoud Stadium 22,000 1st in Third Division Promotion Group C[note 5]
El Sekka El Hadid Nasr City El Sekka El Hadid Stadium 25,000 3rd in Second Division Group B
Tanta Tanta Tanta Club Stadium 9,000 2nd in Second Division Group C
Telecom Egypt Maadi Al Salam Stadium 30,000 2nd in Second Division Play-offs[note 6]
Wadi Degla Zahraa El Maadi Al Salam Stadium 30,000 2nd in Second Division Group B

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Petrojet (C, P) 28 19 7 2 50 21 +29 64 Promotion to Premier League
2 Ghazl El Mahalla (P) 28 13 13 2 35 18 +17 52
3 Haras El Hodoud (O, P) 28 11 16 1 34 22 +12 49 Qualification for promotion play-offs
4 La Viena 28 13 9 6 42 25 +17 48
5 Wadi Degla 28 11 13 4 36 24 +12 46
6 Tanta 28 11 6 11 30 27 +3 39
7 El Sekka El Hadid 28 8 14 6 29 24 +5 38[a]
8 Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar 28 8 14 6 27 28 −1 38[a]
9 Proxy 28 9 10 9 28 35 −7 37
10 El Qanah 28 9 9 10 27 23 +4 36
11 Abou Qir Fertilizers 28 13 9 6 34 21 +13 48
12 Asyut Petroleum 28 10 11 7 29 26 +3 41
13 Telecom Egypt 28 11 6 11 33 29 +4 39
14 Aswan 28 10 8 10 31 28 +3 38
15 Dikernis (R) 28 9 9 10 31 35 −4 36 Relegation to Second Division B
16 Makadi (R) 28 5 12 11 31 36 −5 27
17 Gomhoriat Shebin (R) 28 6 7 15 20 37 −17 25
18 Nogoom (R) 28 4 8 16 22 44 −22 20
19 Al Nasr Lel Taa'den (R) 28 2 6 20 26 54 −28 12[b]
20 Misr Lel Makkasa (R) 28 3 3 22 28 66 −38 12[b]
Source: Soccerway (regular season), Soccerway (promotion round), Soccerway (relegation round)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Play-off tie.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: El Sekka El Hadid 4, Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar 1.
  2. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Al Nasr Lel Taa'den 4, Misr Lel Makkasa 1.

Results

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Regular season

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Home \ Away AQF ASW ASP DIK GMH GOM HRS LAV MAK MMK NLT NOG PET PRO QAN RAY SKH TAN TEG WDG
Abou Qir Fertilizers 0–0 2–0 5–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–0 1–0 2–1 1–1
Aswan 0–0 0–0 2–0 1–2 3–2 4–1 2–0 0–1 1–0 1–3
Asyut Petroleum 2–1 1–0 2–0 1–0 3–2 1–0 0–1 0–2 0–1 0–0
Dikernis 1–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–2 0–0 0–1 1–1 1–3
Ghazl El Mahalla 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 0–0
Gomhoriat Shebin 2–1 0–1 0–0 1–1 3–2 0–1 0–1 1–2 0–0
Haras El Hodoud 1–0 1–1 3–1 1–0 6–2 1–0 1–1 0–0 3–1 1–0
La Viena 0–0 2–2 1–1 3–0 2–2 3–0 3–2 2–0 1–0 3–4
Makadi 2–1 2–2 1–1 0–1 0–0 0–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 0–0
Misr Lel Makkasa 0–2 1–2 1–0 0–3 2–1 1–1 3–3 0–1 0–1 0–3
Al Nasr Lel Taa'den 1–1 1–3 0–1 1–2 1–1 1–2 2–3 2–1 0–1
Nogoom 0–1 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 0–1 0–3 1–1 1–2
Petrojet 2–0 1–0 3–0 4–0 2–1 3–0 1–1 2–1 2–1
Proxy 2–2 3–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–2
El Qanah 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 1–2 0–0 2–2 0–2
Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar 0–0 1–1 2–2 0–0 4–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–1
El Sekka El Hadid 1–1 0–0 0–0 1–1 4–0 0–0 0–0 2–2 0–0
Tanta 0–0 1–0 0–2[a] 2–1 2–1 4–0 1–0 1–0 1–1
Telecom Egypt 1–2 1–0 2–3 0–2 4–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 2–4 1–0
Wadi Degla 2–0 2–1 3–1 1–2 2–1 3–0 1–1 0–0 1–0
Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes
  1. ^ La Viena were awarded a 2–0 win after Tanta fielded an illegible player.[11] The match originally ended 1–1.

Positions by round

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The following tables list the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological involvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for matchday 11, but then postponed and played between matchdays 14 and 15, it will be added to the standings for day 14.

Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
Petrojet3213121132111111111111111111
Ghazl El Mahalla5632243543543434544333322222
Haras El Hodoud6744565414222223333444455533
La Viena10321412255334565455555533344
Wadi Degla4579854321455342222222244455
Tanta712101215914101099111311108786878777666
El Sekka El Hadid13868714811127769987897666666777
Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar171516111410121381010878910107101097888888
Proxy849106111516141214121210111111108789999999
El Qanah9148533679111198679911991010101010101010
Abou Qir Fertilizers15101514107967881014141515121212121212121111111111
Asyut Petroleum19127128138666767566611111111111212121212
Telecom Egypt21561112791516121411131412131413131414131414131313
Aswan20111417161316141614131510121314141314151313141313141414
Dikernis1816111591510121315161315151213151515141515151515151515
Makadi11131313131611151113151616161616161616171716171617171616
Gomhoriat Shebin16201916181818191919191917181818171717161617161716161717
Nogoom12172020191717181718171819171717181818181818181818181818
Al Nasr Lel Taa'den19191819171919202020202020202020202020202020202020202019
Misr Lel Makkasa14181718202020171817181718191919191919191919191919191920
Promotion to Premier League
Advance to the play-offs
Relegation to Second Division B
Source: Soccerway

Play-offs

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The draw for the play-off round was held on 15 May 2024, 13:00 local time (UTC+3), at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters, to decide the order of the fixtures.[12] The play-offs consist of the third-placed team in the league, alongside the three winners of the Second Division B promotion play-offs.

Teams play each other twice, home and away.[13]

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Haras El Hodoud (P) 6 4 1 1 8 5 +3 13 Promotion to Premier League
2 Sporting Alexandria 6 2 2 2 5 7 −2 8[a] Participation in Second Division A
3 Suez 6 2 2 2 4 4 0 8[a]
4 Tersana 6 1 1 4 6 7 −1 4
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Play-off.
(Note: Head-to-head records are used for final standings only)
(P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Sporting Alexandria 4, Suez 1.

Matches

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All times are CAST (UTC+3).

Tersana2–3Haras El Hodoud
Report
Referee: Mahmoud El Banna
Sporting Alexandria1–0Suez
Report

Suez0–0Tersana
Report

Tersana3–0Sporting Alexandria
Report
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf
Haras El Hodoud1–0Suez
Report
Referee: Tarek Magdy

Sporting Alexandria1–0Tersana
Report
Suez1–0Haras El Hodoud
Report
Referee: Nader Kamar El Dawla

Haras El Hodoud2–1Tersana
Report
Referee: Ahmed El Ghandour
Suez2–2Sporting Alexandria
Report
Referee: Mahmoud El Banna

Tersana0–1Suez
Report
Referee: Shahenda El Maghrabi

Number of teams by governorate

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Number of teams Governorate Team(s)
3   Cairo El Sekka El Hadid, Telecom Egypt and Wadi Degla
2   Alexandria Abou Qir Fertilizers and Haras El Hodoud
  Aswan Aswan and Al Nasr Lel Taa'den
  Beheira Proxy and Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar
  Gharbia Ghazl El Mahalla and Tanta
1   Asyut Asyut Petroleum
  Beni Suef La Viena
  Dakahlia Dikernis
  Faiyum Misr Lel Makkasa
  Giza Nogoom
  Ismailia El Qanah
  Monufia Gomhoriat Shebin
  Red Sea Makadi
  Suez Petrojet

Notes

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  1. ^ Main stadiums for the 2023–24 season are listed only. Clubs are allowed to play selected matches at alternative venues; whether due to unavailability, security concerns, or other reasons. For example, Asyut Petroleum, a team from Asyut, may play some home games at Asyut University Stadium, instead of their regular home stadium, Asyut Petroleum Stadium.
  2. ^ Makadi finished 1st in Group B in Third Division regular season.
  3. ^ Nogoom finished 1st in Group E in Third Division regular season.
  4. ^ Proxy finished 6th in Group C in Second Division regular season.
  5. ^ Raya Ghazl Kafr El Dawar finished 1st in Group J in Third Division regular season.
  6. ^ Telecom Egypt finished 6th in Group B in Second Division regular season.
  7. ^ a b c Sporting Alexandria played their home matches at Haras El Hodoud Stadium, instead of their regular stadium Alexandria Sporting Club Stadium, both located in Alexandria.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "تطبيق دوري المحترفين! نظام الصعود والهبوط في الدرجة الثانية" [New professional league! EFA announce second division new promotion and relegation rules]. Yalla Kora (in Arabic). 2 October 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  2. ^ "الكشف عن قرعة النسخة الأولى من دوري المحترفين" [Draw for professional league inaugural season held]. FilGoal (in Arabic). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Petrojet secure promotion back to Egyptian Premier League". KingFut. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Ghazl El Mahalla back to Premier League after one-year absence". Al Ahram Online. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Harras El Hodoud promoted to Premier League after one-year absence". Al Ahram Online. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  6. ^ "نظام التأهل لدوري المحترفين قبل الجولة الأخيرة بالقسم الثاني" [One week before the end of the season: Here's how the Professionals League will look like]. Veto Gate (in Arabic). 13 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  7. ^ @efa (August 7, 2023). "بيان رسمي" [Official statement] (Tweet). Retrieved 7 August 2023 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "عضو اتحاد الكرة يكشف عن نظام دوري المحترفين والقسم الثاني «ب»" [EFA board member explains new Second Division A and B format]. Al Masry Al Youm (in Arabic). 8 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ^ "في نقاط واضحة.. عامر حسين يوضح كل ما تريد معرفته عن «دوري المحترفين»" [Amer Hussein explains everything you want to know about the Professionals League]. ETC TV on YouTube (in Arabic). 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  10. ^ "تعديل جديد في نظام دوري المحترفين بداية من موسم 2024-2025" [Professionals League format to be adjusted starting from the 2024–25 season]. Shorouk News (in Arabic). 9 August 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  11. ^ "بعد خصم نقاط مباراة لافيينا .. رحيل الجهاز الإداري لنادي طنطا" [Tanta technical staff set to leave after La Viena match error]. Kora Plus (in Arabic). 6 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  12. ^ "الكشف عن مواعيد مباريات دورة الترقي.. الترسانة مع الحرس في البداية" [Tersana face Haras El Hodoud in promotion play-offs opener as dates are confirmed following conduction of the draw]. FilGoal (in Arabic). 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  13. ^ "حلم العودة للممتاز مستمر.. حرس الحدود إلى الدورة الرباعية" [Haras El Hodoud Premier League dream continue as they reach the play-offs]. FilGoal (in Arabic). 8 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  14. ^ "تعرف على ملاعب الأندية المشاركة في الدورة الرباعية" [Venues confirmed for upcoming Promotion play-offs]. Kora Plus (in Arabic). 15 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.