Safa SC
Template:Pp Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Short description Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Squads sidebar Safa Sporting Club (Template:Langx) is a football club based in Wata El Msaytbeh, a district of Beirut, Lebanon. Competing in the Template:Lebanese football updater, the club was founded in 1939 and have since won three league titles, three domestic cups, one Super Cup, and two Elite Cups. Safa also finished runners-up in the 2008 AFC Cup.[1]
Safa is primarily supported by the Druze community,[2][3][4] and maintains a strong fanbase throughout Mount Lebanon. As Akhaa Ahli Aley is also based in the Mount Lebanon region, specifically in Aley, matches between the two clubs are referred to as the "Mountain derby" due to their shared regional support.
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.[5]
On 23 December 1948, Safa obtained the official membership and license from the government as a private association.[5] In the same year, the club was affiliated to the Lebanese Football Association and was ranked within the Second Division.[6] In 1961, Safa was promoted to the First Division.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Recent history (2021–present)
On 4 May 2012, after defeating Nejmeh, Safa were crowned Lebanese Premier League champions for the first time in 2011–12.[7] They were crowned league champions for the second consecutive time in 2012–13, after defeating Ahed 3–1 on 19 May 2013.[8] Safa also won the 2012–13 Lebanese FA Cup, following a 2–1 win against Shabab Sahel in the final, achieving a domestic double for the first time.[9]
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.[10] However, following Shabab Bourj's withdrawal from the league, they were relegated in place of Safa.[11] Safa also narrowly avoided relegation the following season, finishing 10th above Salam Zgharta on account of their positive head-to-head record.[12]
Kit manufacturers
The following is a list of kit manufacturers worn by Safa.
| 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 |
Stadium
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Club rivalries
Safa has important rivalries with Ansar and Nejmeh, both being based in Beirut. Safa also plays the Mountain derby with Akhaa Ahli,[13] 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Players
Current squad
- As of 10 April 2025Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[14]
<templatestyles src="Template:Football squad player/styles.css" /> Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Notable players
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| Competition | Player | National team |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 AFC Asian Cup | Yasser Sibai | File:Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg Syria |
| 2000 AFC Asian Cup | Youssef Mohamad | File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon |
| Ahmad Naamani | File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon | |
| 2019 AFC Asian Cup | Ahmad Taktouk | File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon |
| Mohamed Zein Tahan | File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon | |
| 2023 AFC Asian Cup | Hassan Chaitou | File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon |
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Honours
Domestic
- Lebanese Premier League
- Lebanese FA Cup
- Lebanese Elite Cup (defunct)
- Lebanese Super Cup
- Winners (1): 2013
- Runners-up (3): 2011, 2012, 2016
- Lebanese Second Division
- Winners (1): 1960–61 (Beirut)
Continental
Other achievements
- Lebanese Challenge Cup (defunct)
- Runners-up (1): 2022
Performance in AFC competitions
- AFC Cup: 5 appearances
- Asian Cup Winners' Cup: 2 appearances
Managerial history
- Template:Flagicon Walid Zeineddine
- Template:Flagicon Mahmoud Saad
- Template:Flagicon Akram Salman
- Template:Flagicon Ghassan Abou Diab
- Template:Flagicon Samir Saad
- Template:Flagicon Emile Rustom
- Template:Flagicon Valeriu Tița (2013–2014)
- Template:Flagicon Emile Rustom (2015–2018)
- Template:Flagicon Valeriu Tița (2018–2019)
- Template:Flagicon Tarek Jarraya (2019)
- Template:Flagicon Robert Jaspert (2019–2020)
- Template:Flagicon Emile Rustom (2020)
- Template:Flagicon Mohammad Dakka (2020–2021)[15]
- Template:Flagicon Fadi Oumari (2021–22)
- Template:Flagicon Malek Hassoun (2022)
- Template:Flagicon Youssef Jawhari (2022–2023)
- Template:Flagicon Moussa Hojeij (2023)
- Template:Flagicon Johnny Jansen (2023)
- Template:Flagicon Jan de Jonge (2023)
- Template:Flagicon Bassem Marmar (2023–present)
See also
- Safa WFC, defunct women's team
- List of football clubs in Lebanon
Notes
References
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External links
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- Safa SC at the AFC
- Safa SC at FA Lebanon
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