The PFL Championnat de Football National Division 1 (known as Coca cola pure football league for sponsorship reasons) is the premier football league in Madagascar. Prior to 2019, it was known as the Three Horses Beer-sponsored THB Champions League and then Orange proleague.
 | |
| Founded | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Country | Madagascar |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Coupe de Madagascar Super Coupe de Madagascar |
| International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
| Current champions | Disciples (2023-24) |
| Most championships | CNaPS Sport (7) |
| Website | pro-league |
| Current: Orange Proleague 2024-25 | |
In 2024 it was rebranded as Pureplay Football League, again for sponsorship reasons.[1]
The highest scoring football match ever in history occurred in this tournament in 2002 when SO I’Emyrne scored 149 own goals in protest of a refereeing decision.
Format
edit1962-2019:
The competition is played in a round-robin format between the 24 qualifying clubs from the 22 regional leagues in the country. In the first round, the teams are divided into four groups of six teams, with each team playing the others once, and with the top three clubs of each group advancing to the next round. In the second round, the teams are divided into two groups of six teams, with each team playing the others once, and with the top two clubs of each group advancing to the final round. In the final round, called the Groupe des As, the four teams play each other twice and the winner is crowned as the champion.
Late 2019-present:
In October 2019, the competition evolved to be a more professional league comprising 12 teams.[2] Each team square off against each other twice (1 home match and 1 away) during the course of the season. The team having the most points at the end of the season becomes Malagasy champions.
From December 2019, the competition became known as Orange Pro League Madagascar due to sponsorship reasons.[3]
Current clubs (season 2022/2023)
edit
Northern Groupedit |
Southern Groupedit
|
2024 edition (Pureplay Football league)
edit1/2 finals, 1st round:[5]
- ASSM Elgeco Plus vs. 3FB Toliara 1 : 0
- Zanakala FC vs. Disciples FC 3 : 2
Finals
edit- Disciples FC : ASSM Elgeco Plus 0:0 (1:0 prolongation)
Previous winners
editPerformance by club
editTop goalscorers
edit| Season | Country | Goalscorer | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 
|
Njiva Rakotoharimalala | CNaPS Sport | |
| 2015 |
|
Elvi Brunat Baritoa | Prescot | 11 |
| 2016 |
|
Lucien Kassimo | CNaPS Sport | |
| 2021-22 |
|
Tsilavina Fanamezantsoa Razanokoto | Fosa Juniors | 10 |
|
|
Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro | Ajesaia | ||
| 2022-23 |
|
Toky Rakotondrave | COSFA | 7 |
| 2023-24 |
|
Reginot Rakotonirina | Tsaramandroso | 5 |
|
|
Jean Andrianantenaina | Dato |
References
edit- ^ Pureplay
- ^ "Football : La Pro League lancée !". Redaction Midi Madagasikara (in French). 12 October 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Football : La Pro League devient Orange Pro League Madagascar". Redaction Midi Madagasikara (in French). 5 December 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Pro-League Madagascar
- ^ PFL demi finale
- ^ Pure Play football league