KF Naftëtari

KF Naftëtari, also known as Naftëtari Kuçovë, is an Albanian football club based in Kuçovë, Albania. Their home ground is the Bashkim Sulejmani Stadium and they currently compete in the Kategoria e Dytë.[1]

KF Naftëtari
Logo
Full nameKlubi i Futbollit Naftëtari
Founded1926
GroundStadiumi Bashkim Sulejmani
Kuçovë, Albania
Capacity5,000
ManagerFatmir Baçaj
LeagueKategoria e Dytë, Group A
2022–23Kategoria e Dytë, Group A, 5th

Naftëtari means Oilmen, with Kuçovë being the centre of the Albanian oil industry.

History

Founded in 1926, they first participated in the Albanian Superliga in 1946 as Spartak Kuçovë. During the communist era they were first known as Puna Qyteti Stalin, then Spartaku Qyteti Stalin and for most of the time Naftëtari Qyteti Stalin. Naftëtari played their final season in the Albanian Superliga in 1987.

One year suspension

In the 1987/88 season, Naftëtari qualified for a promotion/relegation playoff after finishing runners-up to second tier champions Traktori Lushnja.[2] After losing the first match 1-0 away to Albanian giants and Ministry of Interior club Dinamo Tirana, the second match in Qyteti Stalin on 5 June 1988 ended in riots and burning of the Dinamo team bus partly due to the fact that the game was led by a referee and assistants from Tirana. Dinamo also won the second leg and the riots led to the suspension of Naftëtari from playing football for a year and demotion to the third tier. Coach Pandi Angjeli and players Meta and Makashi were suspended for life and club manager and former goalkeeper Fatmir Ismaili was dismissed.[3]

Stadium

The stadium of Naftëtari Kuçovë is located in Kuçovë, Albania. The name of the stadium is Stadiumi Bashkim Sulejmani. It has a capacity of 5,000 spectators.[4]

Supporters

Rivalries

Naftëtari's biggest rivals are Tomori Berat, with Berat only 20 kilometres down the road and with fans of both clubs working together in the textile industry during the 1970s.[5]

Players

A few of the best players known through their history: Fatmir Ismaili Goalkeeper, Kastriot Haxhija Goalkeeper, Ramadan Gega Defender, Gezim Gega, Mikel Koroveshi Defender, Paskal Gaqe Defender, Mihallaq Bonjako Defender, Enver Hafezi Defender, Vasil Piperoni Goalkeeper, Sofokli Vasili Forward, Bashkim Xheka Midfield, Bashkim Sulejmani Midfielder, Agim Prifti Midfielder, Engjellush Islami Forward, Vladimir Skuro Forward, Agim Metaj, Maxim Halilaj Forward, Ilia Dashi Midfield, Muharrem Doko, Besnik Duli, Edmond Voda, Dashnor Dume Midfield, Emil Xhyberi, Kostandin Lule, Lilo Shau, Arben Iliazi, Astrit Haxhiaj, Ylli Vrusho, Barjam Fraolli, Agim Meta, Aleksander Koci Forward, Romeo Kocani Forward. Daut Hoxha forward, Vasillaq Sotiri forward, Ismaili played once for the national team in 1973.[6]

Current squad

As of 22 November 2017

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 Albania ALB Albano Kora
2 DF Albania ALB Ardit Lleshi
3 DF Albania ALB Sajmir Gega (Captain)
5 DF Albania ALB Florian Daci
6 DF Albania ALB Enea Kajo
7 MF Albania ALB Florian Kopaçi
8 MF Albania ALB Endri Koroveshi
10 MF Albania ALB Ardian Gega
14 MF Albania ALB Redon Behari
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW Albania ALB Romario Alushi
19 FW Albania ALB Gëzim Hyska
4 DF Albania ALB Martin Gucaj
11 FW Albania ALB Klajdi Pepa
12 GK Albania ALB Kristian Gjini
13 DF Albania ALB Gerald Bega
18 MF Albania ALB Azis Pepa
21 MF Albania ALB Anesti Marini
22 DF Albania ALB Ardian Kaloshi

References

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