KF Shkëndija

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Klubi i Futbollit Shkëndija (Template:Langx), commonly known as Shkëndija, is a professional football club based in Tetovo, North Macedonia. Founded in 1979 by Macedonian Albanians, the club is widely recognized for its strong community identity and passionate support from its ultras group, the Ballistët.

After being disbanded in the early 1980s, Shkëndija was re-established in 1992 and rose through the ranks of the Macedonian football system. The club won its first national championship in the 2010–11 season and has since become a regular competitor in domestic and European competitions. Since then, Shkëndija has added four more league titles, winning the championship again in 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, and 2024–25.

The club has won multiple league titles, experienced significant growth under Ecolog International ownership, and plays its home matches at the modern Ecolog Arena in Tetovo.

History

Establishment

KF Shkëndija was founded on 27 August 1979 in Tetovo by ethnic Albanians and initially competed in the local municipal league. The club quickly earned back-to-back promotions and by 1981 had reached the second division of the Yugoslav league system. However, due to the growing popularity of the club among the Albanian population, the authorities at the time perceived Shkëndija as a nationalist movement. Consequently, the club was disbanded in the early 1980s and remained inactive for the rest of the decade.[1][2] Starting at the lowest division, the Municipal League, Shkëndija played their first match against FK Kosmos, winning 4–0.[3]

Re-establishment and rise (1992–2010)

Following Macedonian independence in 1991, Shkëndija was re-established in 1992 and began competing in the fourth tier. The club progressed rapidly through the divisions, earning promotion to the Macedonian First League by 1995. Over the next fifteen years, the club oscillated between the top two divisions. During this period, the Ballistët ultras group was founded and became a defining element of the club’s identity.

First championship and European debut (2010–2013)

In the 2010–11 season, KF Shkëndija won the Macedonian First League in their debut season after promotion. Led by captain Ferhan Hasani, the team finished unbeaten in 16 consecutive games and claimed the club’s first national title. This success qualified Shkëndija for their first appearance in UEFA competitions, where they participated in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. Despite continued strong domestic performances, financial difficulties in the 2012–13 season led to instability within the club and the departure of several players.

Ecolog era and domestic success (2013–2020)

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.[4] Albanian international, Lorik Cana and Swiss international, Xherdan Shaqiri also joined the campaign with the supporters.[4] On 31 July 2013, Lazim Destani, father of Ecolog founder and chairman, Nazif Destani, announced Ecolog International will take charge of Shkëndija.[4][5]

With increased investment, Shkëndija rebuilt its squad and cycled through several managers in the following years. Shpëtim Duro took over in December 2015 and led the club until December 2016.[6][7] After a brief return by Jeton Bekjiri and a short stint by Bruno Akrapović, Thomas Brdarić was appointed in January 2017. He was succeeded by Qatip Osmani, with Osmani eventually leading the team to its most dominant period. Under Osmani, Shkëndija won back-to-back league titles in 2017–18 and 2018–19, and completed the domestic double in 2018.

The club also had its most notable European campaigns in this period. Shkëndija reached the UEFA Europa League play-offs twice (2016–17, 2017–18) and participated in the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League qualifiers, reaching the third round before being eliminated by Red Bull Salzburg.

In October 2019, Albanian coach Ernest Gjoka took over and guided Shkëndija to their fourth league title in the 2020–21 season. Gjoka departed in August 2021 and was succeeded by Bruno Akrapović, who led the club until April 2022. Artim Šakiri briefly managed the club before Qatip Osmani returned in September 2022 and remained until May 2023.

In June 2023, former Macedonian international Ardian Nuhiu was appointed as manager. He led the team through the first half of the 2023–24 season before departing in December 2023. On 13 May 2025, Shkëndija secured the Macedonian First League title for the fifth time in the club’s history following a 2–1 home victory over FK Rabotnicki. The Tetovo-based club was declared champion with two rounds remaining in the season.[8][9]

Supporters

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The main supporters group of KF Shkëndija are called the Ballistët (Albanian: Ballistët), an ultras group based in Tetovo, North Macedonia. They were officially established in 1992 and are known for their passionate and politically charged support, representing the Albanian identity in the region. The name Ballistët is inspired by the World War II Albanian nationalist group Balli Kombëtar.

The Ballistët are based in the North stand of the Ecolog Arena and have a long-standing reputation for creating an intense atmosphere during home and away matches. Their colors are red and black, matching both the club’s and Albania’s national colors.

Over the years, the group has been involved in several high-profile incidents. These include politically themed chants, clashes with rival fans, and displays of nationalist banners. In 2014, during a match against FK Vardar, Ballistët displayed a banner reading: "They are cancer of Europe – UEFA do you need more?!", referencing tensions with Serbian and Macedonian clubs.

In April 2015, KF Shkëndija were fined and supporters banned from matches due to chants and violent conduct related to regional tensions. Ballistët have also had altercations with supporters of clubs such as FK Teteks, Buducnost Podgorica, and Varvari Podgorica.

Despite controversies, Ballistët remain an integral part of Shkëndija's identity, symbolizing pride and resilience for many ethnic Albanians in North Macedonia.

Players

Current squad

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<templatestyles src="Template:Football squad player/styles.css" /> Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF Template:Fba/core Aleksandër Trumçi
4 MF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Reshat Ramadani (on loan from Dynamo Kyiv)
5 DF Template:Fba/core Klisman Cake
6 MF Template:Fba/core Adamu Alhassan
7 FW
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Besart Ibraimi (captain)
8 MF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Florent Ramadani
9 FW
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Fiton Ademi
10 MF Template:Country data KOS Endrit Krasniqi
11 FW Template:Fba/core Ronaldo Webster
15 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Imran Fetai
16 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Mevlan Murati
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Vane Krstevski
22 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Numan Ajetovikj
24 GK Template:Fba/core Baboucarr Gaye
25 GK
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Astrit Amzai
26 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Anes Meliqi
27 FW
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Lorik Kaba
28 MF Template:Fba/core Kamer Qaka
29 FW Template:Fba/core Fabrice Tamba
30 GK
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Ferat Ramani
38 MF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Amir Nuhija
77 FW Template:Fba/core Liridon Latifi

Youth players

Players from the U19 Youth Team that have been summoned with the first team in the current season.

<templatestyles src="Template:Football squad player/styles.css" /> Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Besjan Halimi
13 MF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Altin Murati
14 FW
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Altin Ziberi
15 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Nazif Ceka
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 FW
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Armir Isa
21 MF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Urim Abdiu
23 DF
  1. REDIRECT Template:Country data North Macedonia
 Bljendi Huseini

Personnel

Current technical staff

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Position Name
Manager Jeton Bekjiri
Assistant coach Burhan Emurlai
Goalkeeper coach Saljadin Mustafi
Conditional coach Ivan Jovanovski
Conditional coach Andi Kulli
Video analyst Arvid Bregasi
Team coordinator Festim Ademi
Juniors coach U19 Bekim Osmani
Cadets coach U18 Taxhedin Kasami
Pioneers U17 Agron Memedi
Youth Pioneers U16 Ismail Ismaili

Management

Position Staff
Owner Lazim Destani
President Zamir Dika
Administration director Lulzim Imeri
Operations director Dritan Musliu
Sporting director Ardian Cuculi
Secretary Erblir Luma

Honours

League

Cups

Statistics

Results of League and Cup Competitions by Season

1The 2019–20 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia.[12]

European competitions record

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Overview

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Matches

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2011–12 UEFA Champions League 2QR Template:Flagicon Partizan 0–1 0–4 0–5 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1QR Template:Flagicon Portadown 0–0 1–2 1–2 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1QR Template:Flagicon Zimbru 2–1 0–2 2–3 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1QR Template:Flagicon Aberdeen 1–1 0–0 1–1 (a) File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1QR Template:Flagicon Cracovia 2–0 2–1 4–1 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Template:Flagicon Neftçi 1–0 0–0 1–0 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Template:Flagicon Mladá Boleslav 2–0 0–1 2–1 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
PO Template:Flagicon Gent 0–4 1–2 1–6 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1QR Template:Flagicon Dacia 3–0 4–0 7–0 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Template:Flagicon HJK 3–1 1–1 4–2 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Template:Flagicon Trakai 3–0 1–2 4–2 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
PO Template:Flagicon Milan 0–1 0–6 0–7 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2018–19 UEFA Champions League 1QR Template:Flagicon The New Saints 5–0 0−4 5–4 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Template:Flagicon Sheriff 1–0 0–0 1–0 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Template:Flagicon Red Bull Salzburg 0−1 0−3 0–4 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa League PO Template:Flagicon Rosenborg 0−2 1−3 1–5 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2019–20 UEFA Champions League 1QR Template:Flagicon Nõmme Kalju 1–2 1–0 2−2 (a) File:Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa League 2QR Template:Flagicon F91 Dudelange 1–2 1–1 2−3 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 1QR Template:Flagicon Sumgayit — 2–0 — File:Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Template:Flagicon Botoșani — 1–0 — File:Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Template:Flagicon Tottenham Hotspur 1–3 — — File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2021–22 UEFA Champions League 1QR Template:Flagicon Mura 0–1 0−5 0–6 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
UEFA Europa Conference League 2QR Template:Flagicon Riga 0−1 0−2 0−3 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Template:Flagicon Ararat Yerevan 2–0 2–2 4–2 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
2QR Template:Flagicon Valmiera 3–1 2–1 5–2 File:Symbol keep vote.svg
3QR Template:Flagicon AIK 1–1 Template:Aet 1–1 2–2 Template:Pso File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Template:Flagicon Haverfordwest County 1–0 0–1 Template:Aet 1–1 Template:Pso File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2024–25 UEFA Conference League 1QR Template:Flagicon Noah 1–2 0–2 1–4 File:Symbol delete vote.svg
2025–26 UEFA Champions League 1QR Template:Flagicon The New Saints
Notes
  • 1QR: First qualifying round
  • 2QR: Second qualifying round
  • 3QR: Third qualifying round
  • PO: Play-off round

UEFA club coefficient ranking

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Rank Team Points
203 Template:Flagicon Inter Club d'Escaldes 7.500
204 Template:Flagicon FC Vaduz 7.500
205 Template:Flagicon KF Shkëndija 7.500
206 Template:Flagicon TSV Hartberg 1.500
207 Template:Flagicon Kilmarnock 2.500

References

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External links

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