AF Elbasani

Albanian football club

Not to be confused with KF Elbasani.

Football club

AF Elbasani

Full name| Akademia e Futbollit Elbasani
Nickname(s)| Tigrat
Founded| 2 August 2021; 3 years ago (2021-08-02)
Stadium| Elbasan Arena
Capacity| 12,800
Owner| Bashkia Elbasan
President| Kujtim Llupa
Manager| Roberto Bordin
League| Kategoria Superiore
2023–24| Kategoria e Parë, 1st (promoted)

Home colours

Away colours

|

AF Elbasani (Albanian: Akademia e Futbollit Elbasani), is an Albanian professional football club based in Elbasan. The club competes in the Kategoria Superiore, the top tier of Albanian football. Their home ground is Elbasan Arena.

## History

[edit]

In 2021, the club was formed by the Elbasan Municipality after the disagreements with businessman Arben Laze who was the owner of the first football club KF Elbasani. Due to financial bankruptcy, Elbasani was seized by the Directorate of Taxes in Elbasan. So with the initiative of the fans they found the way and with the cooperation of Elbasan Municipality, AF Elbasani was created.[1] In the 2021–2022 season, they competed in the fourth tier of Albanian football, Kategoria e Tretë. In their first season, they achieved first place, gaining promotion to Kategoria e Dytë.[2] In the 2022–2023 season, AF Elbasani finished first in the Group B of the Kategoria e Dytë, which gained them promotion for the first time to the Kategoria e Parë.[3] In their first season, they finished in 1st place, and were crowned champions and were promoted to the Kategoria Superiore.[4]

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

As of 1 September 2024[5]

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 |  ALB | Klevi Totoshi
2  | DF |  ALB | Rei Zaimi
4  | DF |  ALB | Bruno Lulaj (captain)
5  | DF |  ALB | Harallamb Qaqi
6  | MF |  MDA | Cristian Dros
7  | FW |  ALB | Bedri Greca
8  | FW |  BRA | Léo Melo
9  | FW |  CMR | Blaise Tsague
10  | MF |  ALB | Orgest Gava
11  | MF |  ALB | Klevis Kasa
12  | GK |  ALB | Redon Gega
14  | MF |  ALB | Xhonatan Lajthia
16  | MF |  ALB | Edon Hasani
17  | DF |  ALB | Bruno Telushi
18  | MF |  ALB | Arsen Kasa
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

20  | FW |  POR | Zé Gomes
21  | MF |  KOS | Endi Halili
22  | FW |  ALB | Arsen Lleshi
23  | DF |  ALB | Esin Hakaj
25  | DF |  ALB | Alban Bica
27  | MF |  ALB | Ardit Hila
28  | MF |  KOS | Kron Abdiu
29  | MF |  ALB | Emiljano Musta
31  | MF |  ALB | Glenis Belloj
40  | GK |  GHA | Razak Abalora
42  | MF |  ALB | Kristi Qose
55  | DF |  MNE | Emir Azemović
77  | MF |  ALB | Bledar Lila
99  | FW |  ALB | Amarildo Gjoni

## Staff

[edit]

Name  | Position

|

Roberto Bordin | Head Coach
Hektor Idrizaj | Assistant Coach
Elvis Kotorri | Goalkeeping Coach
Andrea Vezzu | Fitness coach
Mirko Panico | Video Analyst
Denis Asllani | Video Analyst
Orland Kastrati | Physio
Geris Lahi | Physio
Mark Doçi | Physio
Amarildo Hoxha | Doctor
Elton Guranjaku | Sports Director
Marenglen Çoku | Administrator
Armand Memetaj | Team Manager
Kristo Kristo | Marketing Director

## List of managers

[edit]

* Gentian Stojku (2 Aug 2021–11 Apr 2023)
* Eriol Merxha (12 Apr 2023 – 6 Jun 2023)
* Nevil Dede (7 Jun 2023– 1 Jul 2024)
* Roberto Bordin (8 Jul 2024– )

## Honours

[edit]

* Kategoria e Parë
* Champions (1): 2023–24
* Kategoria e Dytë
* Runners-up (1): 2022–23
* Kategoria e Tretë
* Champions (1): 2021-22

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "AF Elbasani, historia e re e futbollit në qytetin traditë! Drejtori i klubit: Tifozët na mirëpritën" [AF Elbasani, a new football history in the city of tradition! The Director of the club: The fans welcomed us] (in Albanian). Shqiptarja. 29 July 2021.
2. ^ "AF Elbasani shpallet kampion i Kategorisë së Tretë" [AF Elbasani become champions of Kategoria e Tretë] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 6 May 2022.
3. ^ Kodra, Fatjon (2023-05-11). "Vora mposht AF Elbasanin në finale & shpallet fituese e Kategorisë së Dytë 2022/2023!". FSHF (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-06-20.
4. ^ Sinani, Renaldo (2024-05-09). "AF Elbasani kurorëzohet ekipi kampion i Kategorisë së Parë për sezonin 2023-2024!". FSHF (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-06-20.
5. ^ "AF Elbasani". Sofascore. 4 May 2022.

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Kategoria Superiore clubs

Current (2024–25)|

* Bylis
* Dinamo City
* Egnatia
* AF Elbasani
* Laçi
* Partizani
* Skënderbeu
* Teuta
* Tirana
* Vllaznia

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
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