2023 Venezuelan Primera División season

The 2023 Primera División season, officially Liga de Fútbol Profesional Venezolano or Liga FUTVE, was the 67th season of the Venezuelan Primera División, the top-flight football league in Venezuela, and the 42nd season since the start of the professional era. The season began on 3 February and ended on 25 November 2023.[1]

Liga FUTVE
Season2023
Dates3 February – 25 November 2023
ChampionsDeportivo Táchira (10th title)
RelegatedMineros de Guayana
Copa LibertadoresDeportivo Táchira
Caracas
Portuguesa
Academia Puerto Cabello
Copa SudamericanaCarabobo
Deportivo La Guaira
Metropolitanos
Rayo Zuliano
Matches played223
Goals scored545 (2.44 per match)
Top goalscorerLuifer Hernández (18 goals)
Biggest home winDep. Táchira 5–0 Rayo Zuliano
(4 March)
Est. Mérida 5–0 Angostura
(6 July)
UCV 5–0 Zamora
(14 July)
Carabobo 6–1 Mineros
(22 July)
Biggest away winZamora 1–5 Est. Mérida
(19 February)
Mineros 0–4 Dep. Táchira
(6 May)
Highest scoringRayo Zuliano 4–4 Mineros
(26 February)
La Guaira 5–3 Rayo Zuliano
(6 May)
2022
2024

Deportivo Táchira won their tenth title at the end of the season, defeating Caracas on penalty kicks following a 1–1 draw after extra time in the final.[2] Metropolitanos were the defending champions.

Format

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The competition format for this season was announced by the Liga FUTVE on 31 January 2023. Similar to the previous season, the 15 participating clubs took part in a double round-robin first stage in which they played each other twice (once at home and once away) for a total of 28 games. The top four clubs, which qualified for the 2024 Copa Libertadores, also advanced to a final stage where they played each other twice with the top two teams playing a single-match final to decide the league champions. However, and unlike the previous season, no final stage to decide the teams qualified for the 2024 Copa Sudamericana was played, with the four berths to that competition instead being awarded to the teams placing 5th to 8th in the first stage.[3] The team placing last in the first stage was relegated to Segunda División for the following season.

Teams

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16 teams were expected to compete in the 2023 season, subject to the fulfillment of club licensing requirements: the top 15 teams in the first stage of the 2022 season as well as the 2022 Segunda División champions Angostura, who defeated Academia Anzoátegui in the Segunda División final on 16 October 2022.[4] They replaced Aragua, who were relegated to Segunda División at the end of the previous season after finishing in bottom place.

On 12 December 2022, it was announced that Zulia and Segunda División side Rayo Zuliano would merge, with the latter taking the former's place in the league.[5] The merger was officially confirmed on 28 January 2023, with which Rayo Zuliano competed in the top flight for the first time ever in this season.[6] Furthermore, two days later it was confirmed that Deportivo Lara would not take part in the season, ultimately bringing the number of participating teams down to 15.[7][8]

Locations of the 2023 Primera División teams
Locations of the 2023 Primera División teams – Barinas state
Locations of the 2023 Primera División teams – Caracas
Relegated to 2023 Segunda División
16 Aragua
Failed club licensing process
Deportivo Lara
Promoted to 2023 Primera División
1 Angostura

Stadia and locations

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Team City Stadium Capacity
Academia Puerto Cabello Puerto Cabello La Bombonerita 7,500
Angostura Ciudad Bolívar Ricardo Tulio Maya 2,500
Carabobo Valencia Misael Delgado 10,400
Caracas Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Deportivo La Guaira Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Deportivo Táchira San Cristóbal Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo 38,755
Estudiantes de Mérida Mérida Metropolitano de Mérida 42,200
Hermanos Colmenarez Barinas Agustín Tovar 29,800
Metropolitanos Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Mineros de Guayana Ciudad Guayana Polideportivo Cachamay 41,600
Monagas Maturín Monumental de Maturín 51,796
Portuguesa Acarigua General José Antonio Páez 18,000
Rayo Zuliano Maracaibo José Pachencho Romero 40,800
Universidad Central Caracas Olímpico de la UCV 23,940
Zamora Barinas Agustín Tovar 29,800

Personnel and kits

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Team Manager Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor(s)
Academia Puerto Cabello   Noel Sanvicente Givova CLX Samsung
Angostura   Osmar Castillo RS Genpar
Carabobo   Juan Tolisano New Arrival Fospuca, El Maizal, Juega En Línea
Caracas   Leonardo González RS Maltín Polar, SellaTuParley, Pepsi, Canguro Venezuela[9]
Deportivo La Guaira   Enrique García Fila Traki, Furia Energy, Pepsi
Deportivo Táchira   Eduardo Saragó Attle Juega En Línea, Grupo JHS, VenApp
Estudiantes de Mérida   Franklin Lucena New Arrival Petro, Oriente, Visite Mérida, VenApp, Vnet
Hermanos Colmenarez   Leonel Vielma Attle Corporation CSA
Metropolitanos   José María Morr RS Aerolíneas Estelar
Mineros de Guayana   Jesús Alonso Cabello RS
Monagas   Tony Franco RS Banplus
Portuguesa   Jesús Ortiz RS Alimentos Fina Ideal
Rayo Zuliano   Elvis Martínez Attle PDVSA, Javitour
Universidad Central   Daniel Sasso RS Avanti, Bancamiga
Zamora   Enrique Maggiolo RS Thundernet

Managerial changes

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Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
First stage
Rayo Zuliano   Alex García King Change of role 2 October 2022[10] Pre-season   Elvis Martínez 29 September 2022[11]
Caracas   Henry Meléndez End of caretaker spell 21 October 2022   Leonardo González 1 November 2022[12]
Carabobo   Enrique Maggiolo End of contract 22 October 2022   Juan Tolisano 17 November 2022[13]
Estudiantes de Mérida   Leonardo González Resigned 29 October 2022[14]   Alí Cañas 27 January 2023[15]
Zamora   Noel Sanvicente 31 October 2022[16]   Francesco Stifano 5 January 2023[17]
Academia Puerto Cabello   Juan Tolisano Mutual agreement 1 November 2022[18]   Noel Sanvicente 2 November 2022[19]
Deportivo La Guaira   Daniel Farías End of contract 9 November 2022[20]   Enrique García 20 November 2022[21]
Mineros de Guayana   Elías Emmons End of caretaker spell 27 January 2023   Tony Franco 27 January 2023[22]
Portuguesa   Martín Brignani Sacked 1 March 2023[23] 15th   Jesús Ortiz 1 March 2023[23]
Hermanos Colmenarez   Horacio Matuszyczk 25 March 2023[24] 6th   Leonel Vielma 29 March 2023[25]
Mineros de Guayana   Tony Franco Mutual agreement 13 April 2023[26] 14th   Jesús Alonso Cabello[i] 14 April 2023[26]
Universidad Central   Edson Rodríguez Sacked 21 April 2023[27] 15th   Luis De Oliveira[i] 21 April 2023[27]
  Luis De Oliveira End of caretaker spell 4 May 2023   Daniel Sasso 4 May 2023[28]
Mineros de Guayana   Jesús Alonso Cabello 6 May 2023   Jorge Luis Bernal 6 May 2023[29]
  Jorge Luis Bernal Resigned 22 May 2023[30]   Jesús Alonso Cabello[i] 22 May 2023[30]
Estudiantes de Mérida   Alí Cañas 30 May 2023[31] 10th   Franklin Lucena 31 May 2023[32]
Mineros de Guayana   Jesús Alonso Cabello End of caretaker spell 24 June 2023 15th   Matías Mazmud 24 June 2023[33]
Monagas   Jhonny Ferreira Promoted to sporting director 10 July 2023[34] 10th   Tony Franco 10 July 2023[34]
Zamora   Francesco Stifano Resigned 16 July 2023[35] 12th   Alí Alvarado[i] 21 July 2023[36]
Mineros de Guayana   Matías Mazmud Sacked 26 July 2023[37] 15th   Jesús Alonso Cabello 26 July 2023[37]
Zamora   Alí Alvarado End of caretaker spell 1 August 2023 12th   Enrique Maggiolo 1 August 2023[38]
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d Caretaker manager.

First stage

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The first stage started on 3 February and ended on 8 October 2023.

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Deportivo Táchira 28 19 7 2 47 17 +30 64 Advance to Final stage and qualification for Copa Libertadores
2 Academia Puerto Cabello 28 19 3 6 49 19 +30 60
3 Portuguesa 28 13 7 8 32 26 +6 46
4 Caracas 28 10 15 3 44 27 +17 45
5 Carabobo 28 11 12 5 35 21 +14 45 Qualification for Copa Sudamericana first stage
6 Deportivo La Guaira 28 9 12 7 37 33 +4 39
7 Metropolitanos 28 11 6 11 37 37 0 39
8 Rayo Zuliano 28 8 12 8 33 39 −6 36
9 Estudiantes de Mérida 28 9 6 13 39 41 −2 33
10 Angostura 28 8 6 14 32 41 −9 30
11 Monagas 28 8 6 14 29 41 −12 30
12 Zamora 28 8 6 14 31 50 −19 30
13 Universidad Central 28 6 9 13 27 36 −9 27
14 Hermanos Colmenarez 28 5 9 14 25 37 −12 24
15 Mineros de Guayana (R) 28 4 8 16 25 57 −32 20 Relegation to Segunda División
Source: Liga FUTVE, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Drawing of lots.
(R) Relegated

Results

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Home \ Away APC ANG CBO CAR DLG TAC ESM HCO MET MIN MON POR RAY UCV ZAM
Academia Puerto Cabello 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 3–0 4–0 2–0
Angostura 2–2 0–1 2–0 1–2 0–1 2–3 0–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–1
Carabobo 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–3 2–0 1–0 2–2 6–1 3–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 3–0
Caracas 2–1 4–1 0–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 0–0 4–0
Deportivo La Guaira 2–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–0 2–2 5–3 0–0 3–0
Deportivo Táchira 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 4–1 1–0 1–1 5–0 1–1 1–1
Estudiantes de Mérida 1–3 5–0 1–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 1–0 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–0 2–2
Hermanos Colmenarez 0–1 2–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 3–1 1–0 0–1 1–2 2–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2
Metropolitanos 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–1 2–3 3–0 3–2 0–1 2–1 1–1 1–2
Mineros de Guayana 0–3 1–2 0–1 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–0 1–2
Monagas 3–2 1–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–0 2–1
Portuguesa 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 2–0 1–0 0–1 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–0 2–1
Rayo Zuliano 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 0–1 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 4–4 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–1
Universidad Central 2–3 1–2 0–0 0–2 1–1 1–2 3–2 2–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 0–1 2–0 5–0
Zamora 1–3 3–2 0–2 1–2 2–1 0–1 1–5 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 0–0 1–0
Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Final stage

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The top four teams in the first stage contested the competition's final stage, playing each other twice. The top two teams advanced to the final and also qualified for the group stage of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, whilst the third- and fourth-placed teams qualified for the preliminary stages of the same competition.

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Deportivo Táchira 6 3 3 0 8 3 +5 12 Advance to Final and qualification for Copa Libertadores group stage
2 Caracas 6 2 3 1 5 4 +1 9
3 Portuguesa 6 1 3 2 6 9 −3 6 Qualification for Copa Libertadores second stage
4 Academia Puerto Cabello 6 0 3 3 3 6 −3 3 Qualification for Copa Libertadores first stage
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Drawing of lots.

Results

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Home \ Away APC CAR TAC POR
Academia Puerto Cabello 0–0 0–1 1–1
Caracas 1–0 0–0 2–0
Deportivo Táchira 2–1 1–1 3–0
Portuguesa 1–1 3–1 1–1
Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Final

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The final match was hosted by the finalist with the best performance in the first stage of the season.

Deportivo Táchira1–1 (a.e.t.)Caracas
  • Castillo   84'
Report
Penalties
4–1

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Club Goals
1   Luifer Hernández Academia Puerto Cabello 18
2   Richard Blanco Mineros de Guayana / Portuguesa 14
3   Ade Oguns Caracas 12
4   Franklin González Hermanos Colmenarez 9
  Saúl Guarirapa Caracas
  Ervin Zorrilla Estudiantes de Mérida
7   Edder Farías Deportivo Táchira / Deportivo La Guaira 8
  Charlis Ortiz Metropolitanos
  Gonzalo Ritacco Deportivo Táchira
  Anthony Uribe Deportivo Táchira

Source: Soccerway

References

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  1. ^ "Nueva campaña comenzará el 2 de febrero con igual formato" [New campaign will begin on 2 February with the same format] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Deportivo Táchira consigue su décima estrella" [Deportivo Táchira get their tenth star] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 25 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Liga Futve tendrá un nuevo formato de competición" [Liga Futve will have a new competition format] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Angostura FC logró el título de la segunda división y el ascenso" [Angostura FC achieved the second division title and promotion] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Extraoficial: Deportivo Rayo Zuliano y Zulia Fútbol Club conformarían una sola institución" [Unofficial: Deportivo Rayo Zuliano and Zulia Fútbol Club would form a single institution] (in Spanish). Versión Final. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  6. ^ "¡CONFIRMARON FUSIÓN CON EL ZULIA FC! Rayo Zuliano llegó a primera división de la liga Futve" [THEY CONFIRMED MERGER WITH ZULIA FC! Rayo Zuliano reached the Liga Futve's first division] (in Spanish). Red Digital Noticias. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  7. ^ "La Liga FutVe confirma vía Twitter que la temporada 2023 arranca el 3 y que el Dvo Lara no estará" [Liga FutVe confirms via Twitter that the 2023 season kicks off on the 3rd and that Dvo Lara will not be there] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  8. ^ "FVF anuncia listado de clubes que han obtenido su licencia para el 2023" [FVF announces list of clubs that have obtained their license for 2023] (in Spanish). FVF. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Caracas FC sumó a Canguro Venezuela como nuevo patrocinador hasta diciembre del año 2023" [Caracas FC added Canguro Venezuela as new sponsor until December 2023] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  10. ^ Deportivo Rayo Zuliano [@RayoDvo] (2 October 2022). "Por su gran experiencia y trayectoria en las canchas, el profe Alex García King pasa a asumir una nueva responsabilidad de gran importancia para nuestro Club. Gracias por confiar en nosotros. ¡Seguimos profe Alex!" [Due to his great experience and track record on the fields, professor Alex García King is taking on a new responsibility of great importance for our Club. Thanks for trusting us. We continue, prof Alex!] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 January 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Elvis Martínez asume la dirección técnica del Deportivo Rayo Zuliano en la Liga FutVe 2" [Elvis Martínez takes over the technical direction of Deportivo Rayo Zuliano in Liga FutVe 2] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Leonardo González es el nuevo técnico del Caracas FC" [Leonardo González is the new manager of Caracas FC] (in Spanish). El Nacional. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  13. ^ "El entrenador Juan Domingo Tolisano regresa a la conducción técnica del Carabobo Fútbol Club" [Coach Juan Domingo Tolisano returns to the technical management of Carabobo FC]. Balonazos (in Spanish). 17 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  14. ^ "El entrenador Leonardo González se despidió de la dirección técnica de Estudiantes de Mérida" [Manager Leonardo González bidded farewell to the technical direction of Estudiantes de Mérida] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Alí Cañas será el técnico de Estudiantes de Mérida" [Alí Cañas will be the manager of Estudiantes de Mérida] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Noel Sanvicente no seguirá con Zamora" [Noel Sanvicente will not continue with Zamora] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Zamora se encomienda a Stifano" [Zamora entrust themselves to Stifano] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Puerto Cabello anunció la salida de Juan Domingo Tolisano" [Puerto Cabello announced the departure of Juan Domingo Tolisano] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Noel Sanvicente tomó el timón de Academia Puerto Cabello, con la mira puesta en su novena estrella" [Noel Sanvicente took the helm of Academia Puerto Cabello, with the sight set on his ninth star] (in Spanish). Sports Venezuela. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Daniel Farías terminó su ciclo en el Deportivo La Guaira" [Daniel Farías ended his spell at Deportivo La Guaira] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Enrique García dirigirá al Deportivo La Guaira" [Enrique García will manage Deportivo La Guaira] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Tony Franco tuvo su primera práctica con Mineros de Guayana" [Tony Franco had his first training session with Mineros de Guayana] (in Spanish). Correo del Caroní. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Jesús Ortiz llegó al Portuguesa en lugar de Brignani" [Jesús Ortiz arrived at Portuguesa in the place of Brignani] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  24. ^ "CD Hermanos Colmenárez anunció que Horacio Matuszyczk y su cuerpo técnico no seguirán" [CD Hermanos Colmenárez announced that Horacio Matuszyczk and his coaching staff will not continue] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  25. ^ "CD Hermanos Colmenárez anunció a Leonel Vielma como su nuevo Director Técnico" [CD Hermanos Colmenarez announced Leonel Vielma as their new manager] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Tony Franco termina su vínculo con Mineros de Guayana" [Tony Franco ends his link with Mineros de Guayana] (in Spanish). Correo del Caroní. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  27. ^ a b "UCV FC despide a Edson Rodríguez como DT y encargó a Luis De Oliveira ante Estudiantes" [UCV sack Edson Rodríguez as manager and put Luis De Oliveira in charge against Estudiantes] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  28. ^ UCV Fútbol Club [@UCVFCOFICIAL] (4 May 2023). "¡Bienvenido a casa nuevamente! Daniel Sasso asume la dirección técnica del equipo tricolor" [Welcome home again! Daniel Sasso takes over the technical direction of the tricolor team.] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 May 2023 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Jorge Luis Bernal confirmado como técnico de Mineros" [Jorge Luis Bernal confirmed as manager of Mineros] (in Spanish). La Vinotinto. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  30. ^ a b "El entrenador colombiano José Luis Bernal se desligó de Mineros de Guayana" [Colombian manager José Luis Bernal left Mineros de Guayana] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  31. ^ "Estudiantes de Mérida se quedó sin director técnico por salida de José Ali Cañas" [Estudiantes de Mérida ended up without a manager due to the departure of José Ali Cañas] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  32. ^ "Franklin Lucena dirigirá a Estudiantes de Mérida" [Franklin Lucena will manage Estudiantes de Mérida] (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Argentino Matías Mazmud asume las riendas de Mineros" [Argentine Matías Mazmud takes the reins of Mineros] (in Spanish). Correo del Caroní. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Monagas SC nombró a Tony Franco como nuevo DT y a Jhonny Ferreira de Director Deportivo" [Monagas SC appointed Tony Franco as new manager and Jhonny Ferreira as Sporting Director] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  35. ^ "DT Francesco Stifano se desvincula del Zamora FC sumergido en una crisis de resultados" [Manager Francesco Stifano leaves Zamora FC immersed in a crisis of results] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 16 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Zamora y Rayo Zuliano igualaron sin goles" [Zamora and Rayo Zuliano tied with no goals] (in Spanish). Liga FUTVE. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  37. ^ a b "Matías Mazmud no sigue como DT de Mineros" [Matías Mazmud does not continue as manager of Mineros] (in Spanish). Primicia. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Zamora FC por fin anunció oficialmente al técnico Enrique Maggiolo como nuevo DT" [Zamora FC finally officially announced coach Enrique Maggiolo as the new manager] (in Spanish). Balonazos. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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