2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League

The 2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लिग २०७९) is the 45th edition of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League since its establishment in 1954–55. A total of 14 teams are competing in the league.

Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
Season2023
Dates3 March – TBA
Matches played133
Goals scored334 (2.51 per match)
Top goalscorerOlawale Afeez
Messouke Oloumou
(14 goals)
Biggest winFriends Club 6-0 FC Himalayan Sherpa
(17 April 2023)
Highest scoring10 Goals Machhindra 7–3 FC Khumaltar
(11 April 2023)
Longest winning run4 matches
Church Boys United
Longest unbeaten run10 matches
Church Boys United
Longest winless run8 matches
Three Star Club
Longest losing run6 matches
Manang Marshyangdi Club
2024 →
All statistics correct as of 20 May 2023.

The league was scheduled to begin on 10 January 2023 but was pushed back to begin on 3 March 2023 due to a conflict between the All Nepal Football Association and the clubs regarding up-front payments.[1][2]

Participating teams

The following 14 teams will compete in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League in the 2022–23 season, with 12 teams from the previous season and Church Boys United and FC Khumaltar promoted from the 2022 B-Division League.

Location
Team Location Previous Season
Church Boys United Kathmandu 1st (2022 B-Division)
Himalayan Sherpa Club 10th
Machhindra F.C. 1st
New Road Team 3rd
Sankata BSC 7th
Tribhuwan Army F.C. 2nd
Nepal APF FC 8th
Nepal Police Club 11th
Friends Club Lalitpur 12th
Jawalakhel YC 9th
FC Khumaltar 2nd (2022 B-Division)
Satdobato Youth Club 4th
Three Star Club 6th
Manang Marshyangdi Club Kathmandu[lower-alpha 1] 5th
  1. Manang Marshyangdi Club has its origins in Pokhara, for which it hosted selsected home matches at Pokhara Rangasala. However, officially, the club is based in Swayambhu, Kathmandu.[3]

Personnel and kits
Team Coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Church Boys United Nepal Bal Gopal Maharjan Nepal Ananta Tamang Anee Sports API Power Company Limited
Friends Club Nepal Urjan Shrestha Nepal Prakash Budhathoki Ucan
Himalayan Sherpa Club Nepal Suman Shrestha Nepal Bishwas Shrestha KTM CTY
Jawalakhel YC Nepal Sunil Kumar Shrestha Nepal Simanta Thapa Jersey Pasal Nepal
FC Khumaltar Nepal Yam Gurung Nepal Rejin Subba Standard Fashion Vianet Communication
Machhindra F.C. Nepal Kishor Kumar KC Nepal Sujal Shrestha Kelme Pepe Pizza
Manang Marshyangdi F.C. Nepal Kiran Shrestha Nepal Deep Karki KTM CTY
Nepal APF F.C. Nepal Ratna Kaji Maharjan Nepal Top Bahadur Bista Kelme
Nepal Police Club Nepal Chetan Ghimire Nepal Ram Chandra Waji Kelme
New Road Team F.C. Nepal Raju Kaji Shakya Nepal Bikram Dhimal Kelme Shikhar Insurance
Sankata BSC Nepal Salyan Khadgi Nepal Sunil Bal Ucan
Satdobato Youth Club Nepal Sanoj Shrestha Nepal Sudip Gurung Li-Ning Royal Blue
Tribhuvan Army F.C. Nepal Nabin Neupane Nepal Bharat Khawas Kelme
Three Star Club Nepal Meghraj K.C. Nepal Bikram Lama Euro Passion USA

Foreign players

All Nepal Football Association has allowed a maximum of four foreign players including two from Asian country per team.

Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 AFC Player SAFF Player Former Player
Church Boys United Cameroon Franklin Kuete Talla Ghana Joseph Bempah Cameroon Yves Priso India Ranjeet Pandre[4] India Gagandeep Singh[5]
Friends Club Ghana Rafiq Aminu Ghana Ben Quansah Ghana Torric Jebrin Uzbekistan Akhrorbek Uktamov India Uttam Rai
Himalayan Sherpa Club Ghana Manuel Nana Agyemang Kenya Pistone Mutamba Nigeria Abayomi Oluwaseun Fakunle Lebanon Mohamad Kdouh India Satyam Sharma[6]
Jawalakhel YC Lesotho Masoabi Nkoto Guinea Fode Fofana Ghana Abdul Majid Samate Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Nishonboev India Rahul Khokhar[7]
FC Khumaltar Cameroon Messouke Oloumou Cameroon Stephane Binong Ghana Theophilus Owutey Apoh India Sanwil D'Costa[8] India Abhishek Verma[9]
Machhindra F.C. Cameroon Andrés Nia Nigeria Kareem Omolaja Nigeria Afeez Olawale Oladipo Japan Yuta Suzuki Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen[10] India Dayananda Singh Elangbam[11]
Manang Marshyangdi F.C. SenegalDiawandou Diagne Nigeria Oluwashina Azeez Togo Koffi Timothée Koudo Uzbekistan Saidzhamol Davlatzhonov India Yash Mhatre[12]
Nepal APF F.C. Mali Adama Doumbiya Chad Armand Beadum Cameroon Abdou Ramani Poutougnigni Japan Yuya Kuriyama
Nepal Police Club Ghana Joe Aidoo Ghana Moses Twum Cameroon Serge Dicka Lebanon Ahmad Hijazi India Mohammed Ashiq[13]
New Road Team F.C. Cameroon Nicolas Serge Song Cameroon Jean Anicet Mboumi Cameroon Stephane Junior Nguimbous India Lalnunzama[14] India Saivish Singh[15]
Sankata BSC Cameroon Andre Thiery Biyik Cameroon Nelson Yunwa Cameroon Junior Nkengue Lebanon Youssef Atriss India Sandip Alay[16]
Satdobato Youth Club Ghana Abdul Latif Abubakari Ghana William Opoku Serbia Ivan Marić Uzbekistan Sardorbek Matmuratov
Tribhuvan Army Club
Three Star Club Nigeria Peter Segun Nigeria Ajayi Martins Kayode South Africa Siphamandla Mathenjwa Lebanon Mohammad Taha

Head coaching changes
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Church Boys United United States Pradip Humagain Work permit issues[17] 3rd Nepal Bal Gopal Maharjan 13 April 2013

Venues

The league is scheduled to be played in two cities in the Kathmandu Valley.[18]

Nepal
Kathmandu Lalitpur
Dasarath Rangasala Chyasal Stadium ANFA Complex
Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 6,000

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Church Boys United 19 10 6 3 24 12 +12 36 Qualification for 2023–24 AFC Cup preliminary round 1
2 Jawalakhel YC 19 9 5 5 35 24 +11 32
3 Machhindra FC 19 8 7 4 28 20 +8 31
4 Satdobato Youth Club 19 8 5 6 23 16 +7 29
5 Three Star Club 19 6 8 5 16 14 +2 26[lower-alpha 1]
6 Tribhuvan Army F.C. 19 6 8 5 23 22 +1 26[lower-alpha 1]
7 Himalayan Sherpa Club 19 6 7 6 23 27 −4 25
8 Manang Marshyangdi F.C. 19 5 8 6 19 22 −3 23[lower-alpha 2]
9 New Road Team F.C. 19 5 8 6 27 31 −4 23[lower-alpha 2]
10 Sankata BSC 19 5 7 7 18 24 −6 22[lower-alpha 3]
11 Nepal Police Club 19 6 4 9 19 27 −8 22[lower-alpha 3]
12 Nepal APF F.C. 19 6 4 9 20 21 −1 22[lower-alpha 3]
13 Friends Club 19 5 6 8 31 30 +1 21 Relegation to 2024 Martyr's Memorial B-Division League
14 FC Khumaltar 19 5 3 11 28 44 −16 18
Updated to match(es) played on 20 May 2023. Source: HamroKhelkud
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) head-to-head; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored.
Notes:
  1. Three Star ahead of Tribhuvan Army on Head-to-head points: Three Star 1–1 Tribhuvan Army, Three Star 1–0 Tribhuvan Army
  2. Manang Marshyangdi ahead of New Road on head-to-head points: Manang Marshyangdi 3–1 New Road
  3. Head-to-head points: Sankata 6, Nepal Police 6, Nepal APF 3; Sankata ahead of Nepal Police on head-to-head goal difference.

Results

1st Round
Home \ Away APF CBU FRI HSC JYC KHU MFC MMC NPC NRT SAN SYC TAC TSC
Nepal APF F.C. — 0–0 1–1 3–5 0–0 2–0 1–0 1–2 2–0 0–1 0–1 0–1 1–0 2–0
Church Boys United 0–0 — 1–1 1–0 0–1 3–1 0–0 3–0 2–1 2–2 0–0 2–1 0–1 0–0
Friends Club 1–1 1–1 — 6–0 2–1 0–1 1–2 0–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–1 1–2 3–3
Himalayan Sherpa Club 5–3 0–1 0–6 — 2–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–2 0–0 2–2 1–1 0–1
Jawalakhel Youth Club 0–0 1–0 1–2 1–2 — 2–2 3–1 3–0 6–1 2–1 1–1 2–1 1–3 1–0
FC Khumaltar 0–2 1–3 1–0 2–1 2–2 — 3–7 2–1 1–3 1–3 0–1 1–2 3–1 0–2
Machhindra F.C. 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–3 7–3 — 0–0 2–1 1–1 2–1 0–0 0–2 0–0
Manang Marshyangdi F.C. 2–1 0–3 2–0 1–1 0–3 1–2 0–0 — 0–1 3–1 1–0 0–1 0–1 1–1
Nepal Police Club 0–2 1–2 3–1 0–1 1–6 3–1 1–2 1–0 — 1–1 0–3 0–0 0–0 0–1
New Road Team F.C. 1–0 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 — 1–2 1–2 3–3 1–0
Sankata BSC 1–0 0–0 1–3 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–2 0–1 3–0 2–1 — 0–4 0–0 0–3
Satdobato Youth Club 1–0 1–2 1–0 2–2 1–2 2–1 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 4–0 — 3–3 0–1
Tribhuvan Army F.C. 0–1 1–0 2–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–0 0–0 3–3 0–0 3–3 — 0–1
Three Star Club 0–2 0–0 3–3 1–0 0–1 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 3–0 1–0 1–0 —
Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2023. Source: ANFA
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

2nd Round
Home \ Away APF CBU FRI HSC JYC KHU MFC MMC NPC NRT SAN SYC TAC TSC
Nepal APF F.C. — 2–3 1–2 0–1 1–1 0–3 3–0
Church Boys United — 2–1 2–1 1–0 4–1 1–0 0–1
Friends Club 1–2 — 1–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–0
Himalayan Sherpa Club 3–2 — 0–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–0
Jawalakhel Youth Club 4–1 1–0 — 2–4 2–2 1–2 1–1
FC Khumaltar 1–3 4–2 — 0–3 2–3 2–2 2–2
Machhindra F.C. 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–0 — 3–1 1–0
Manang Marshyangdi F.C. 1–1 2–2 — 2–2 2–2 0–0 1–0
Nepal Police Club 1–0 0–1 1–2 2–1 2–2 — 2–1
New Road Team F.C. 1–1 1–4 2–2 1–1 3–2 — 0–0
Sankata BSC 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–2 — 2–0 1–1
Satdobato Youth Club 3–0 0–1 0–1 0–0 0–2 — 2–0
Tribhuvan Army F.C. 0–3 1–0 2–2 0–1 1–1 — 1–1
Three Star Club 0–0 2–2 0–1 0–0 0–2 1–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on 20 May 2023. Source: ANFA
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by round
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Church Boys United411133334235421121
Jawalakhel YC123442241111112212
Machhindra F.C.131413121111987967754433
Three Star Club14118676655322233354
Satdobato Youth Club332214412443345545
Tribhuwan Army F.C.844958868554566766
Himalayan Sherpa Club769111010111011131313121079107
Manang Marshyangdi F.C.6553211236781088888
New Road Team F.C.12121113131312121311101199111299
Nepal Police Club111314141414131414141414141214141210
Nepal APF F.C.2775655998966796711
Sankata BSC910688777678981110101112
Friends Club10912101212141312101210111313111313
FC Khumaltar5810799101110121112131412131414
Leader
Relegation to B-Division
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 2023. Source: ANFA

Results by games
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Church Boys UnitedWWWDDDDDDWLLWWWWLWW
Friends ClubLDLWLLLDWWLWDLDWLDD
Himalayan Sherpa ClubDWLLDDLWLLDWDWWLDDW
Jawalakhel YCWWDLWWDLWWWLDLLWWDD
FC KhumaltarWLLWLLDLWLWLLDWLLLD
Machhindra F.C.LLDWDDWWDLWDDWWLWWD
Manang Marshyangdi F.C.DWDWWWDLLLLLLWDDDDD
Nepal APF F.C.WLDWLWDLLWLWDDLWLLL
Tribhuwan Army F.C.DWDLWLDWLWDWDLDLWDD
Nepal Police ClubLLLLDLWLDLDWWWLDWWL
New Road Team F.C.LLDLDDWLDWWLWDLDWDD
Sankata BSCDLWDDWLWWLLLDLDWLDD
Satdobato Youth ClubWWWLWLDWDLDWDLDLWLW
Three Star ClubLDWWLWDWDWWDLDDDLDL
Updated to match(es) played on 20 May 2023. Source: ANFA
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose

Season statistics

Top Goal Scorers

As of 19 May 2023[19]

Rank Player Team Goals
1 Cameroon Messouke Oloumou Khumaltar 14
Nigeria Olawale Afeez Machhindra
3 Lesotho Nkoto Masoabi Jawalakhel 13
4 Nepal Dipak Raj Thakuri Satdobato 12
Ghana Rafiq Aminu Friends
6 Guinea Fode Fofana Jawalakhel 8
Togo Koffi Timothée Koudo Manang Marshyangdi
Cameroon Stephane Binong Khumaltar
9 Nigeria Ajayi Martins Kayode Three Star 7
10 Chad Armand Beadum Nepal APF 6
NepalSanjib Bista New Road
Nepal Gillespye Jung Karki Tribhuwan Army
Nepal Nawayug Shrestha Tribhuwan Army
Hat-tricks
Player For Against Result Date
Nigeria Afeez Olawale Oladipo5 Machhindra Khumaltar 7–3[20] 11 April 2023
Cameroon Stephane Binong Khumaltar Jawalakhel 4–2[21] 5 May 2023
Nepal Anjan Bista Church Boys New Road 4–1[22] 6 May 2023
Notes
  • 5 Player scored 5 goals

Clean Sheets

As of 18 May 2023[23]

Rank Player Team Clean sheets
1 Lebanon Mohammad Taha Three Star 8
Cameroon Yves Priso Church Boys
3 Nepal Bikesh Kuthu Tribhuvan Army 6
Nepal Bishal Shrestha Machhindra
5 Nepal Abhishek Baral Satdobato 5
Nepal Deep Karki Manang Marshyangdi
7 Nepal Anish Deula Jawalakhel 4
Nepal Anjal Shrestha Nepal APF
Nepal Satrughan Chaudhary Nepal Police
Nepal Tikendra Singh Thapa Sankata

Awards

End-of-Season Awards
Award Winner Club
Player of the Season
Emerging Player
Top Scorer
Best Goalkeeper
Fair Play

Controversy

The All Nepal Football Association sanctioned Sankata BSC for delaying the kick-off of their match against Nepal APF FC and latter club for delaying the kick-off of the second half of the game.[24][25]

FC Khumaltar was also sanctioned for breaking locker-room chairs after a 7–3 loss to Machhindra FC at Chyasal Stadium.[24]

After attempting to "attack"a referee following a 1–1 draw against New Road Team, players of Machhindra FC were sanctioned by the Football Association.[24]

Notes

    References
    1. "'A' Division League from March 3 next year". The Kathmandu Post. 30 December 2022. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
    2. "A-Division League pushed to March 2023". Online Khabar. 30 December 2022. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
    3. "NOC Manang Marshyangdi Club". All Nepal Football Association. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
    4. "Jagadamba Steel 13th Jeetpur Simara Gold Cup: Church Boys United Enter Final". GoalNepal.com. 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023.
    5. "Player profile: Gagandeep Singh". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
    6. "Player profile: Satyam Sharma". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
    7. "Player profile: Rahul Khokhar". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
    8. "भारतीय रक्षक सन्विल खुमलटारमा अनुबन्ध" [Khumaltar sign Indian footballer] (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
    9. "Khumaltar Sign Abishek Verma With Their Asian Quota". goalnepal.com. Kathmandu: Goal Nepal. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
    10. "Machhindra FC sign 'Bhutanese Ronaldo' Chencho Gyeltshen". OnlineKhabar. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
    11. "A Division League Transfer: White Lions Sign Dayananda". Goal Nepal. 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
    12. "Player profile: Yash Tukaram Mahatare". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
    13. "Player profile: Muhammed Ashiq Shoukathali". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
    14. "A Division League Warm Up: NRT Beats Church Boys In A Pre-Season Friendly". goalnepal.com. Goal Nepal. 4 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023.
    15. "एनआरटीले विदेशी कोटामा भित्र्यायो ३ क्यामरुनी र २ भारतीय खेलाडी" [NRT has brought in 3 Cameroonian and 2 Indian players in the foreign quota]. sabaikhel.com (in Nepali). 20 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
    16. "Player profile: Sandip Alay". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
    17. "CBU squander chance to go top". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
    18. "Preparations in full swing for Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League". All Nepal Football Association. 3 February 2023. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
    19. "Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 - Top Scorers". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
    20. "Machhindra FC vs FC Khumaltar - 2023-04-11 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
    21. "FC Khumaltar vs Jawalakhel Youth Club - 2023-05-05 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
    22. "New Road Team vs Church Boys United - 2023-05-06 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
    23. "Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
    24. "Disciplinary Committee takes action against Sankata, Machhindra, Khumaltar and APF". The All Nepal Football Association. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
    25. "Sankata pip Nepal APF in controversial tie". The Himalayan Times. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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