KF Shkëndija

KF Shkëndija (Macedonian: ФК Шкендија) is a football club based in Tetovo, North Macedonia. Their home stadium is Ecolog Arena and they currently play in the Macedonian First League. In the 2010–11 season of the Macedonian First Football League, the club won its first major championship.

For the Albanian football club, see KF Shkëndija Tiranë.

KF Shkëndija
Full nameKlubi Futbollistik Shkëndija
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zi (The Red and Blacks)
Founded27 August 1979 (1979-08-27)
GroundEcolog Arena
Capacity15,000
PresidentBesnik Ibraimi
ManagerArtim Shaqiri
LeagueMacedonian First League
2020–211st (Champions)
WebsiteClub website

History

SFRY Period
The original senior Shkëndija team

KF Shkëndija was formed on 27 August 1979 by ethnic Albanians from Tetovo.[1][2] The purpose of forming the club was so that the Albanians throughout Yugoslavia could unite in supporting a club for Albanians. FK Shkëndija was frowned upon by Yugoslav officials as it was thought the club would awaken nationalist feelings among the Albanians of Yugoslavia. Starting at the lowest division in Yugoslavia, the Municipal League, KF Shkëndija played their first match against FK Kosmos, winning 4–0.[3]

Shkëndija won the division in the 1979–1980 season, resulting in Shkëndija being promoted into the Third division.[4] After claiming the third division title in the 1980–1981 season, Shkëndija was then again promoted into the Second division. However, as the popularity of the club began to increase among the Albanian population of Yugoslavia, the ruling socialist government members disbanded the club, worried that the club would stoke ethnic tensions during a fragile period in SFRJ.[4]

Re-establishment

After Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia, KF Shkëndija was re-established into the Macedonian Football League. It started at the Fourth division, eventually being promoted each season to the third, second and finally, to the First division.[4] In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship with an unbeaten run of 16 games.[5] On 20 May 2012, Shkëndija handed FK Vardar its first loss of the season with a 1–0 victory.[6]

The Ecolog era
City Stadium in 2008 prior to 2015-2017 renovations

During the 2012–13 season, Shkëndija was embroiled in financial difficulties and as a result, many of its players left the club earlier in the summer. The Shkëndija supporters, the Ballistët, began a social media campaign requesting Ecolog to take over Shkëndija.[7] Albanian international, Lorik Cana and Swiss international, Xherdan Shaqiri also joined the campaign with the supporters.[7] On 31 July 2013, Lazim Destani, father of Ecolog founder and chairman, Nazif Destani, announced Ecolog International will take charge of Shkëndija.[7][8] Under the new administration, Shkëndija bought in over five new players to the squad, four days before the transfer season ended, as well as balancing the financial state of the club. The new season started averagely for Shkëndija, amassing five draws in a row. However, on 21 September 2013, Shkëndija comfortably defeated rivals FK Vardar in a 3–1 home game during the derby, displaying improvement of the club under Ecolog. However, for the next eight fixtures, Shkëndija were very inconsistent, drawing once, winning three and losing four. After losing 5–0 to FK Rabotnički, manager Gjore Jovanovski was relieved of his duties. Shpëtim Duro was named the manager Shkëndija just 15 hours after the sacking of Jovanovski. He was first hired as a temporary caretaker manager for the club's the remaining 3 games before the long winter break, but signed a contract with the club to be the manager for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.[9][10]

During the winter break, Shkëndija was the most active team in the Prva Liga during the transfer period, bringing in 9 new players, further revamping the football club in preparation for the second half of the season. The second half of the season saw drastic improvement for Shkëndija under Shpëtim Duro, moving them from 8th position near the relegation zone, to 4th position at the end of the season, winning their final seven games in a row.[11] Shkendija earned a spot in the 2014–15 first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Supporters
Main article: Ballistët

The supporters of Shkëndija are called the Ballistët, named after the World War II Balli Kombëtar. When the club was formed in 1979, use of nationalism was strictly prohibited by the Yugoslav government. The supporting firm of Shkëndija called themselves BAL, using the first three letters of Balli Kombëtar. When Shkëndija was reinstated into the Macedonian Football League, the supporting firm was re-established as the Ballistët in 1992. When kick-off commences, the Ballistët always sing the national anthem of Albania. The ultras of Shkëndija are notorious for their hardline nationalist rhetoric and pride in their Albanian heritage.

Rivalry

Being a club with a strong Albanian nationalist background, Shkëndija has rivalry with most of the Macedonian football clubs. However, the biggest rivalry are with FK Vardar and FK Teteks. The Shkëndija-Teteks rivalry is one of the biggest and most heated in North Macedonia. When Shkëndija play against Teteks, the majority of the Tetovo police are stationed at Ecolog Arena. Shkendija supporters are banned from attending Vardar-Shkendija matches in Skopje.[12]

Players

Current squad
As of 14 January 2022

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  MKD Kostadin Zahov
4 DF  MKD Egzon Bejtulai (captain)
9 FW  MKD Dashmir Elezi
10 MF  MKD Valmir Nafiu
11 FW  ALB Sindrit Guri
14 MF  MKD Ljupcho Doriev
17 MF  KVX Adenis Shala
18 MF  MKD Reshat Ramadani
19 MF  ALB Bruno Dita
20 DF  SVK Ján Krivák
21 MF  MKD Sabit Bilali
22 DF  MKD Zija Merxhani
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 DF  MKD Medjit Neziri
25 GK  MKD Astrit Amzai
27 FW  MKD Kire Markoski
28 DF  ALB Klisman Cake
30 GK  MKD Ferat Ramani
32 DF  MKD Angelche Timovski
33 DF  MKD Mihail Manevski
44 MF  CMR Jessie Guera Djou
77 MF  MKD Florent Ramadani
88 MF  BRA André Mensalão
92 MF  MKD Ferhan Hasani
99 FW  MKD Zeni Nazifi

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
11 FW  MKD Ensar Luma (at Borec until 30 June 2022)
15 DF  KVX Leard Sadriu (at Skënderbeu until 30 June 2022)
16 DF  MKD Mevlan Murati (at Renova until 30 June 2022)
40 GK  MKD Bekim Rexhepi (at Skënderbeu until 30 June 2022)
No. Pos. Nation Player
55 MF  MKD Oktaj Rakipi (at Borec until 30 June 2022)
— DF  MKD Altrim Jakupi (at Korabi until 30 June 2022)
— FW  GAM Pa Omar Jobe (at Struga until 30 June 2022)

Personnel

Current technical staff
As of 18 January 2022
Position Name
Manager Artim Shaqiri
Assistant manager Burhan Emurlai
Goalkeeping coach Kushtrim Abdullai
Fitness coach Metin Dalip
Scout Mensur Jakupi
Juniors coach Berat Imeri
Cadets coach Bekim Osmani
Coordinator Festim Ademi

Management
Position Staff
Owner Lazim Destani
President Besnik Ibraimi
Finance Director Faton Jahja
Operations Director Dritan Musliu
Sporting Director Artim Shaqiri

Honours

League

Macedonian First League:

Macedonian Second League:

Cups

Macedonian Football Cup:

Macedonian Football Supercup:

Recent seasons

Shkëndija in Europe
Accurate as of 29 July 2021

Overview
Competition Pld W D L GF GA GD Win%
UEFA Champions League 12 3 1 8 8 21 −13 025.00
UEFA Europa League 27 10 6 11 32 33 −1 037.04
UEFA Europa Conference League 2 0 0 2 0 3 −3 000.00
Total 41 13 7 21 40 57 −17 031.71

Matches
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2011–12 UEFA Champions League 2QR Partizan 0–1 0–4 0–5
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1QR Portadown 0–0 1–2 1–2
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1QR Zimbru 2–1 0–2 2–3
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1QR Aberdeen 1–1 0–0 1–1 (a)
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1QR Cracovia 2–0 2–1 4–1
2QR Neftçi 1–0 0–0 1–0
3QR Mladá Boleslav 2–0 0–1 2–1
PO Gent 0–4 1–2 1–6
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1QR Dacia 3–0 4–0 7–0
2QR HJK 3–1 1–1 4–2
3QR Trakai 3–0 1–2 4–2
PO Milan 0–1 0–6 0–7
2018–19 UEFA Champions League 1QR The New Saints 5–0 0−4 5–4
2QR Sheriff 1–0 0–0 1–0
3QR Red Bull Salzburg 0−1 0−3 0–4
UEFA Europa League PO Rosenborg 0−2 1−3 1–5
2019–20 UEFA Champions League 1QR Nõmme Kalju 1–2 1–0 2−2 (a)
UEFA Europa League 2QR F91 Dudelange 1–2 1–1 2−3
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 1QR Sumgayit N/A 2–0 N/A
2QR Botoșani N/A 1–0 N/A
3QR Tottenham Hotspur 1–3 N/A N/A
2021–22 UEFA Champions League 1QR Mura 0–1 0−5 0–6
UEFA Europa Conference League 2QR Riga 0−1 0−2 0−3
Notes
  • 1QR: First qualifying round
  • 2QR: Second qualifying round
  • 3QR: Third qualifying round
  • PO: Play-off round

UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 4.09.2021, Source:

RankTeamPoints
113 Dundalk FC9.500
114 Fenerbahçe SK 9.500
115 KF Shkëndija9.000
116 RSC Anderlecht9.000
117 OGC Nice9.000

Top goalscorers in Europe

As of 29.09.2020, Source: kfshkendija.com

Rank Name Shkëndija Career Goals
1 Besart Ibraimi 2015–2021 16
2 Ferhan Hasani 2007–2012, 2015–2018 5
Stênio Júnior 2014–2019
4 Agim Ibraimi 2005–2006, 2019–2020 4
5 Marjan Radeski 2015–2020 2
6 Armend Alimi 2014–2021 1
Ivan Čeliković 2017
Ardian Cuculi 2006–2014, 2015–2018
Ljupcho Doriev 2020–
Izair Emini 2007–2012, 2017–2019
Hristijan Kirovski 2014–2015
Ivan Mitrov 2014–2015
Valmir Nafiu 2010–2011, 2018–
Bojan Vručina 2014–2016
Arbin Zejnullai 2016–2021

Historical list of coaches
  • Zoran Smileski (Jul 1992 – Jun 1995)
  • Ajet Shosholli (1995 – 1996)
  • Edmond Miha (1999)
  • Zoran Smileski (Jul 1999 – Jun 2000)
  • Idriz Sulejmani (2000 – 2001)
  • Zoran Smileski (2001)
  • Medin Zhega (2002)
  • Buran Beadini (2003 – 2004)
  • Iskender Junuzi (Jul 2004 – Nov 2004)
  • Nexhat Huseini (28 Nov 2004 – Jun 2006)
  • Edmond Miha (2006 – Apr 2007)
  • Ibrahim Ljuma (14 Apr 2007 – Jun 2007)
  • Qatip Osmani (Jul 2007 – Oct 2007)
  • Zoran Smileski (28 Oct 2007 – Mar 2008)
  • Borce Hristov (21 Mar 2008 – 1 May 2008)
  • Ejup Sulejmani (2 May 2008 – )
  • Zoran Stratev (Jan 2009 – Jun 2009)
  • Qatip Osmani (Jul 2009 – Sep 2010)
  • Edmond Miha (16 Sep 2010 – 1 Nov 2010)
  • Qatip Osmani (6 Nov 2010 – 30 Sep 2011)
  • Erhan Salimi (interim) (Oct 2011)
  • Nexat Shabani (11 Oct 2011 – 20 Mar 2012)
  • Qatip Osmani (21 Mar 2012 - 31 Jul 2012)
  • Ibrahim Luma (interim) (Aug 2012)
  • Artim Shaqiri (22 Aug 2012 – 4 Jul 2013)
  • Gjore Jovanovski (1 Aug 2013 - 24 Nov 2013)
  • Shpëtim Duro (24 Nov 2013 – 24 May 2014)
  • Roy Ferenčina (6 Jun 2014 - 31 Aug 2014)
  • Jeton Beqiri (interim) (Sep 2014)
  • Ardian Kozniku (4 Sep 2014 – 27 Mar 2015)
  • Jeton Beqiri (27 Mar 2015 - 25 May 2015)
  • Shpëtim Duro (12 Jun 2015 - 22 Dec 2015)
  • Bruno Akrapović (22 Dec 2015 – 27 Oct 2016)
  • Jeton Beqiri (interim) (28 Oct 2016 - 31 Dec 2016)
  • Thomas Brdarić (7 Jan 2017 - 10 May 2017)
  • Erhan Salimi (interim) (May 2017)
  • Qatip Osmani (Jun 2017 – Sep 2019)
  • Erhan Salimi (interim) (Sep 2019 - Oct 2019)
  • Ernest Gjoka (10 Oct 2019 – Aug 2021)
  • Bruno Akrapović (2 Aug 2021 –

References
  1. D. Nikolić. "Predstavljamo Škendiju, prvog Partizanovog rivala". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  2. "Škendija, šampion Makedonije". Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  3. http://www.kfshkendija.com/history-grid-view-2/
  4. "Official KF Shkendija Thread". Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  5. "Shkendija Tetovo wins the Macedonian First League". Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  6. "Macedonian First League – Round 32". Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  7. "Ecolog takes over Shkendija". Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  8. "Ecolog" shpëton Shkëndijën, tha po" (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  9. Shpëtim Duro to caretake Shkendija
  10. Shpëtim Duro, trajneri i Shkëndijës së Tetovës
  11. "Shpëtim Duro leaves Shkendija". macedonianfootball.com. macedonianfootball. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  12. Filip Zdraveski. "Preview: Macedonian First League – Round 9". Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  13. Emil Gasevski. "Skendija lift Macedonian Super Cup". Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  14. "Вонредна седница на Управен одбор на Фудбалска федерација на Македонија: Прекин на натпреварувачката сезона 2019/2020". Фудбалска Федерација на Македонија. 4 June 2020.
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