2018–19 Liga Primera de Nicaragua

The 2018–19 Liga Primera de Nicaragua season will be divided into two tournaments (Apertura and Clausura) and will determine the 71st and 72th champions in the history of the Liga Primera de Nicaragua, the top division of football in Nicaragua. The Apertura tournament will be played in the second half of 2018, while the Clausura will be played in the first half of 2019.

Liga Primera de Nicaragua
Season2018–19
ChampionsApertura:
Managua
Clausura:
Real Estelí
RelegatedUNAN Managua
CONCACAF LeagueManagua
Real Estelí
Matches played65
Goals scored181 (2.78 per match)
Top goalscorerApertura:
Lucas Dos Santos (15 goals) –
Clausura:
TBD –
Biggest home winApertura: Real Estelí 5-0 Ocotal
Clausura: TBD TBD
Biggest away winApertura: Real Madriz 1-6 Managua
Clausura: TBD TBD
Highest scoringApertura: Ocotal 4-3 Real Estelí
Real Madriz 1-6 Managua
Clausura: TBD TBD
Longest unbeaten runApertura: TBD
Clausura: TBD
Longest losing runApertura: TBD
Clausura: TBD

Format

The Apertura play-off format was changed from previous years, while the Clausura will use the same 4-team play-off format. For the Apertura, the top four teams from the regular stage advanced to a "quadrangular" double-round robin instead of a play-off stage. The regular stage and quadrangular winners would have played to decide the tournament's champion, but ultimately the same team won both and the final was not necessary. The same format was recently adopted by the Costa Rican Primera División, but for both half seasons.

Team information

A total of ten teams will contest the league, including eight sides from the 2017–18 Primera División, and two sides from the 2017–18 Segunda División.

FC San Francisco Masachapa finished last in the aggregate table and were relegated to the Segunda División. The champions from the Segunda División, ART Municipal Jalapa were promoted in their place.

The 9th place team in the aggregate table, Chinandega FC, faced the second place team from the Segunda División, Deportivo Sebaco, in a playoff for a spot in the Primera División. However due to Sebaco's financial problems, they were not allowed in the playoff, meaning Chinandega remained in Primera División.

Promotion and relegation

Promoted from Segunda División as of July, 2018.

Relegated to Segunda División as of July, 2018.

Managerial changes

Before the start of the season
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Walter Ferretti Flavio da Silva Resigned June 2018 Henry Urbina June 29, 2018 3rd & Semifinalist (Clausura 2018)
Real Esteli Ramon Otenel Contract finished June 2018 Washington Fernando Araújo July 22, 2018 4th & Quarterfinalist (Clausura 2018)
Juventus Managua Héctor Mediana Resigned June 2018 Roberto Chanampe July 2018 3rd & Semifinalist (Clausura 2018)
Ocotal Randall Moreno Resigned June 2018 Jorge Luis Vanegas July 2018 TBD (Clausura 2018)
Real Madriz Tyrone Acevedo Resigned June 2018 Carlos Matamoros July 2018 TBD (Clausura 2018)

During the Apertura season
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Real Madriz Carlos Matamoros TBD 2018 Miguel Ángel Sánchez 2018 TBD (Apertura 2018)

Between Apertura and Clausura seasons
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Ocotal Jorge Luis Vangeas Sacked December 2018 Mario Alfaro December 2018 9th (Apertura 2018)
Real Esteli Washington Fernando Araújo Resigned December 2018 Sergio Ivan Rodríguez December 2018 2nd & finalist (Apertura 2018)
Real Madriz Miguel Ángel Sánchez Resigned December 2018 Sindulio Castellanos January 2019 7th (Apertura 2018)
UNAN Managua Luis Vega resigned December 2018 Daniel García January 2019

Clausura 2019 seasons
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Real Madriz Sindulio Castellanos Sacked February 2019 Angel Orellana February 2019 9th (Clausura 2019)

Apertura

Personnel and sponsoring
Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Kit sponsors
ART Municipal Jalapa Leonidas Rodríguez Victor Zavala Joma Agrotris
Chinandega Reyna Espinoza Lester Espinoza Nil Nil
Diriangén FC Mauricio Cruz Jason Coronel Joma Claro, Ocal, Victoria frost
Juventus Managua Roberto Chanampe Darwin Guity TBD TBD
Managua Emilio Aburto Erling Méndez Nil Nil
Ocotal Jorge Luis Vanegas Guillermo Espino Nil Alcadia Ocotal
Real Estelí Washington Fernando Araújo Jason Casco Kappa Beco, Movi star, La Curacao, Banpro, Vitalsis
Real Madriz Carlos Matamoros x Alvaro Bermúdez TBD Alcadia Somoto
UNAN Managua Luis Vega Marvin Fletes Joma Nil
Walter Ferretti Henry Urbina René Huete Umbro Claro, Iniser, Disnorte Dissur

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Managua 18 14 2 2 40 17 +23 44 Advance to Playoffs
(Semifinals)
2 Real Estelí 18 10 6 2 33 12 +21 36
3 Walter Ferretti 18 7 7 4 21 18 +3 28 Advance to Playoffs
(Quarterfinals)
4 Real Madriz 18 7 6 5 25 29 −4 27
5 Diriangén 18 7 5 6 23 19 +4 26
6 Juventus Managua 18 7 3 8 25 20 +5 24
7 ART Jalapa 18 5 4 9 15 30 −15 19
8 Chinandega 18 4 6 8 24 33 −9 18
9 Ocotal 18 3 6 9 17 32 −15 15
10 UNAN Managua 18 2 3 13 19 32 −13 9
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Results
Home \ Away ART CHI DIR JUV MAN OCO RES RMA UNA WAL
ART Jalapa — 2–0 0–3 1–3 0–3 1–2 1–0 1–1 1–0 0–0
Chinandega 4–1 — 1–3 0–1 1–3 0–0 3–3 3–0 2–2 2–2
Diriangén 0–2 1–2 — 0–0 1–0 3–1 0–0 1–1 3–1 0–0
Juventus Managua 0–1 3–0 2–1 — 1–2 1–0 1–2 2–3 2–1 4–0
Managua 5–1 1–2 2–0 3–2 — 2–0 2–1 4–2 1–0 1–0
Ocotal 1–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 2–5 — 1–1 2–2 0–0 1–2
Real Estelí 1–1 6–1 1–0 2–1 1–1 3–0 — 4–0 1–0 0–0
Real Madriz 1–1 3–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 3–2 0–2 — 2–1 1–2
UNAN Managua 4–0 2–1 1–2 2–2 2–3 2–3 0–4 0–2 — 0–1
Walter Ferretti 2–1 0–0 2–2 1–0 1–2 5–1 0–1 1–1 2–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on completed. Source: Soccerway
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Records

Top goalscorers
No. Player Club Goals
1 Lucas Dos Santos Managua 15
2 Luis Coronel Diriangén 11
3 Yeiner Vivas Chinandega 10
4 Luis Galeano Real Esteli 8
5 Bruno De Morais Walter Ferretti 7
6 Marcos Rivera TBD 5
7 Isaac Sequeira TBD 5
8 Edward Morillo Managua 5
9 Ulises Rayo TBD 5
10 Marlon Barrios Real Madriz 5

Playoffs

Quarterfinals
Walter Ferretti1 – 2Juventus Managua
Bruno de Morais  77' Junior Arteaga  36'
David Castrillón  93'
Estadio Nacional, Managua

Juventus Managua progressed.

Real Madriz0 – 1Diriangén
None Erick Tellez  45'
Estadio Solidaridad, Somoto

Diriangén progressed.

Semifinals
Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Real Esteli 7 – 3 Juventus Managua 2 – 1 5 – 2
Managua F.C. 4 – 1 Diriangén 2 – 1 2 – 0

^ TBD wins on away goals

First leg
Juventus Managua1 – 2Real Esteli
Nasser Valverde  84' Jorge Betancur  3'
Luis Galeano  79'
Estadio Nacional, Managua
Referee: Miller Lopez
Diriangén1 – 2Managua F.C.
Jorge Garcia  9' Lucas dos Santos 13'
Agenor Báez  72'
Estadio Cacique, Diriangén
Referee: Rodolfo Paiz
Second leg
Real Esteli5 – 2Juventus Managua
Luis Galeano  3'  38'
Nasser Valverde own  45'
Vinicius de Souza  59'
Alexis Somarriba  85'		 Nasser Valverde  15'
Brandon Ayerdis  86'
Estadio Independencia, Esteli

Real Esteli won 7-3 on aggregate.

Managua F.C.2 – 0Diriangén
Edward Murillo  28'
Jeffery Araica  62'		 Nil
Estadio Nacional, Managua

Managua won 4-1 on aggregate.

Final
First leg
Real Esteli0 – 0Managua F.C.
Nil Nil
Estadio Independencia, Esteli
Referee: Erick Lezama
Second leg
Managua F.C.1 – 0Real Esteli
Lucas dos Santos 118' Nil
Estadio Nacional, Managua
Referee: Nitzar Sandoval

Managua won 1-0 on aggregate.

 Apertura 2018 Champions 
Managua F.C.
1st title

Clausura

Personnel and sponsoring
Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Kit Sponsors
ART Jalapa Leonidas Rodríguez TBD TBD Agrotris
Chinandega Reyna Espinoza Lester Espinoza Nil Nil
Diriangén FC Mauricio Cruz Carlos Torres Joma Claro, Victoria Frost, Babysec, Sinsa, OCAL, Kelloggs, Flor de Cana
Juventus Managua Roberto Chanampe Alexis Somarriba Nil Nil
Managua Emilio Aburto Christiano Fernández Nil Managua FC
Ocotal Mario Alfaro Marcos Rivera Nil Alcadia de Ocotal
Real Estelí Sergio Ivan Rodríguez Manuel Rosas Kappa Movistar, La Curaco, Beco, Vitalsis Health, Banco de la Producción
Real Madriz Sindulio Castellanos Alvaro Bermúdez Nil Alcadia de Madriz
UNAN Managua Daniel García Diedrich Téllez Joma Nil
Walter Ferretti Henry Urbina Denis Espinoza Umbro Claro, Iniser, Disnorte Dissur, Flor de Cana

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Real Estelí 18 14 3 1 44 13 +31 45 Advance to Playoffs
(Semifinals)
2 Managua 18 13 1 4 51 24 +27 40
3 Walter Ferretti 18 11 3 4 31 15 +16 36 Advance to Playoffs
(Quarterfinals)
4 Juventus Managua 18 8 2 8 40 40 0 26
5 Diriangén 18 7 4 7 36 29 +7 25
6 Ocotal 18 6 5 7 27 25 +2 23
7 UNAN Managua 18 5 3 10 25 38 −13 18
8 Real Madriz 18 3 6 9 16 31 −15 15
9 ART Jalapa 18 4 3 11 22 54 −32 15
10 Chinandega 18 3 2 13 15 38 −23 11
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Results
Home \ Away ART CHI DIR JUV MAN OCO RES RMA UNA WAL
ART Jalapa — 1–0 2–4 4–1 2–2 1–1 0–10 0–2 0–0 1–2
Chinandega 2–3 — 1–2 2–4 0–4 0–1 0–3 2–0 1–1 0–3
Diriangén 6–2 5–0 — 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–3 2–2 1–0 1–1
Juventus Managua 6–1 5–0 2–1 — 2–3 3–0 2–2 3–3 3–2 2–1
Managua 3–0 3–1 5–3 6–1 — 4–2 0–1 5–1 3–1 1–2
Ocotal 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–2 1–2 — 1–2 3–2 2–2 1–2
Real Estelí 6–2 1–0 1–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 — 4–0 3–0 1–0
Real Madriz 0–1 0–0 0–0 3–0 0–3 0–0 0–1 — 2–1 0–3
UNAN Managua 4–1 3–2 2–1 4–2 1–3 0–5 0–3 3–1 — 2–3
Walter Ferretti 3–0 4–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 —
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2019. Source: Soccerway
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Records

Top goalscorers
No. Player Club Goals
1 Edward Morillo Managua F.C. 17
2 Lucas Oliveira Managua F.C. 16
3 Douglas Caé Real Esteli 12
4 Robinson Luiz Juventus Managua 10
5 Yeison Esquivel Diriangén FC 8
6 Ervin Aguirre Deportivo Ocotal 7
7 Luis Coronel Diriangén FC 7
8 Jafett Del Portillo ART Municipal Jalapa 7
9 Aaron Chavez UNAN Managua 6
10 Junior Arteaga Juventus Managua 5

Playoffs
  First Round     Semifinals     Final
                                   
      1 Real Estelí 0 3 3  
  4 Juventus Managua 1     5 Diriangén 1 0 1    
  5 Diriangén 2         1 Real Estelí 3 0 3 (a)
      2 Managua 3 0 3
      2 Managua 1 0 1 (a)    
  3 Walter Ferretti 1     3 Walter Ferretti 1 0 1  
  6 Ocotal 0  

Quarterfinals
Walter Ferretti1 – 0Ocotal
Rafael De Almeida  69' Nil
Estadio Nacional de Fútbol, Managua

Walter Ferretti progressed.

Juventus Managua1 – 2Diriangén
Allan Mercado  82' Luis Coronel  57'
Yeison Esquivel  62'
Estadio Nacional, Managua

Diriangén progressed.

Semifinals
First leg
Diriangén1 – 0Real Esteli
Luis Coronel  7' Nil
Referee: Nitzar Sandoval
Walter Ferretti1 – 1Managua F.C.
Rodrigo Hernandez  62' Christiano Fernandez  73'
Referee: Ricardo Mendoza
Second leg
Real Esteli3 – 0Diriangén
Oscar López  11'
Henry García  64'
Luis Lopez  76'		 Nil
Referee: Ricardo Mendoza

Real Esteli progressed 3-1 on aggregate.

Managua F.C.0 – 0Walter Ferretti
Nil Nil
Referee: Odanel Velez

Managua F.C. advances 1-0 on away goals.

Final
First leg
Managua F.C.3 – 3Real Esteli
Kevin Serpio  74'
Lucas Dos Santos  42'  66'		 Cristian Gutierrez  45'
Ricardo Rivas  39'
Vinicius da Souza  90'
Estadio Nacional, Managua
Referee: Oscar Davila
Second leg
Real Esteli0 – 0Managua F.C.
Estadio Independencia, Esteli
Referee: Nitzar Sandoval

3-3, Real Esteli won on away goal.

 Clausura 2019 Champions 
Real Esteli
15th title

Aggregate table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Managua (Q) 36 27 3 6 91 41 +50 84 CONCACAF League round of 16[lower-alpha 1]
2 Real Estelí (Q) 36 24 9 3 77 25 +52 81 CONCACAF League preliminary round[lower-alpha 2]
3 Walter Ferretti 36 18 10 8 52 33 +19 64
4 Diriangén 36 14 9 13 59 48 +11 51
5 Juventus Managua 36 15 5 16 65 60 +5 50
6 Real Madriz 36 10 12 14 41 60 −19 42
7 Ocotal 36 9 11 16 44 57 −13 38
8 ART Jalapa 36 9 7 20 37 84 −47 34
9 Chinandega (Q) 36 7 8 21 39 71 −32 29 Relegation playoffs
10 UNAN Managua (R) 36 7 6 23 44 70 −26 27 Relegated to Segunda División
Source: Soccerway Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. As Apertura champions (NCA1)
  2. As Clausura champions (NCA2)

List of foreign players in the league

This is a list of foreign players in the 2018–19 season. The following players:

  1. Have played at least one game for the respective club.
  2. Have not been capped for the Nicaragua national football team on any level, independently from the birthplace

A new rule was introduced this season, that clubs can have four foreign players per club and can only add a new player if there is an injury or a player/s is released and it is before the close of the season transfer window.

ART Jalapa
  • Cristhian Cabria
  • Evaristo González
  • Erwin Cabrera
  • Alexis Hernández
  • Jafet Del Portillo
Chinandega
  • Johan Hurtado
  • Brayan Cañate
  • Richard Charris
  • Yeiner Vivas
  • José Mendoza
Diriangén
  • Pedro Dos Santos
  • Carlos Tórres
  • Yeison Esquivel
  • Juan Pablo Fernández
  • Jesús Cervantes
  • Dahan Virgen
Juventus Managua
  • Darwin Guity
  • Herbert Cabrera
  • David Castrillón
  • Robinson Luiz
  • Yeison Díaz
  • Ezequiel Góngora
Managua
  • Marel Álvarez
  • Lucas Dos Santos
  • Cristiano Fernández da Lima
  • Edward Morillo
Ocotal
  • Aldair Niño
  • Jafet Del Portillo
  • Edgard Hernández
  • Lancelott Devenish
  • Nelson Maldonado
  • Gerson Díaz
  • Cristopher Aguilar
  • Kevin Meraz
Real Estelí
  • Richard Rodríguez
  • Maycon Santana
  • Vinicius da Souza
  • Jorge Betancur
  • Eder Chaux
  • Douglas Caé
  • Roninho De Souza
Real Madriz
  • Erlyn Ruiz
  • Jose Estrada
  • Edder Mondragón
  • Marlon Barrios
  • Cristhian Cabria
  • Nahun Martínez
UNAN
  • Jesus Guerrero
  • Allan Gutiérrez
Walter Ferretti
  • Rafael De Almeida
  • Bruno de Morais
  • Rodrigo Hernández
  • Johan Bonilla
  • Paulo Cézar

(player released during the Apertura season) (player released between the Apertura and Clausura seasons) (player released during the Clausura season)

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