Title Race Heats Up as Casa Sports Host League Leaders Jaraaf in Senegal Ligue 1 Showdown
The 20th matchday of Senegal’s Ligue 1 Pro kicks off this weekend with high-stakes encounters across the board, none more compelling than the clash between title contenders Casa Sports and Jaraaf. Scheduled for Sunday at the Kolda Regional Stadium, over 600 kilometers from Dakar, this fixture could significantly influence the championship outcome.
Jaraaf, the current league leaders with 34 points, hold a slim one-point advantage over AS Pikine. The Dakar-based giants know they must avoid the same misstep that befell Pikine last weekend—a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a revitalised Casa Sports side.
Casa, sitting just a few points adrift, are no longer the underdogs. Since the return of former coach and club legend Demba Ramata Ndiaye, the team from Ziguinchor has shown renewed vigor and ambition, making it clear that they are in full pursuit of the championship title.
The stakes are even higher considering that Casa Sports and Jaraaf are set to meet again just days later in the Senegal Cup round of 16. Sunday’s showdown thus acts as both a title decider and a psychological battle ahead of their knockout clash.
Meanwhile, AS Pikine will be keeping a close eye on developments in Kolda. The runners-up are at home to bottom-side Yeggo at the Alassane Djigo Stadium and will be hoping for a straightforward win to pile pressure on the league leaders. Although Yeggo are struggling in the league, their recent League Cup semi-final qualification proves they’re no pushovers.
In the relegation zone, DUC, second from bottom with 19 points, face a daunting task against third-placed US Ouakam (USO), who are looking to bounce back after consecutive 1-0 defeats. The university-backed DUC must deliver a result to avoid being cut adrift in the standings, while USO aim to reclaim their place on the podium.
Fourth-placed Port (29 points) will face Stade de Mbour (7th, 26 points) in a match that could tighten the race for the top three. A win for Port and a slip by USO could see a reshuffling in the upper ranks. Stade Mbour, meanwhile, will be eager to break their winless streak following a 1-1 draw with Diambars.
Further down the table, Suneor, just above the relegation zone, host Olympique de Ngor in another survival battle. Both teams have little margin for error and will treat the tie as a must-win.
The remaining fixtures include Diambars vs. Linguère and Touré Kunda vs. Niary Tally on Sunday evening, rounding off a weekend of critical matches that could reshape the landscape of the Senegalese top flight.
Matchday 20 Fixtures:
Saturday, May 10
Demba Diop Stadium:
4:00 PM – DUC vs US Ouakam
6:00 PM – Port vs Stade de Mbour
Ely Manel Fall Stadium:
5:00 PM – Suneor vs Olympique de Ngor
Sunday, May 11
Caroline Faye Stadium:
5:00 PM – Diambars vs Linguère
7:00 PM – Touré Kunda vs Niary Tally
Alassane Djigo Stadium:
5:00 PM – AS Pikine vs Yeggo
Kolda Regional Stadium:
5:00 PM – Casa Sports vs Jaraaf
With just a few rounds remaining, every point counts and every match could be decisive. The title race, the fight for continental qualification, and the battle against relegation all converge in a gripping weekend of football in Senegal.
