KF Shkëndija

Klubi i Futbollit Shkëndija (), 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. Starting at the lowest division, the Municipal League, Shkëndija played their first match against FK Kosmos, winning 4–0.

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

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. 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 2 018–19 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.

Supporters

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

Youth players

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

Personnel

Current technical staff

Management

Honours

League

* 1. MFL:
**Champions (5): 2010–11, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2024–25
**Runners-up: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2023–24,
* 2. MFL:
**Winners (3): 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2009–10
* 3. MFL:
**Winners (1): 1993–94

Cups

*Macedonian Cup:
**Winners (2): 2016, 2018
**Runners-up: 2005–06, 2012–13, 2016–17
*Macedonian Football Supercup:
**Winners (1): 2011

Statistics

Results of League and Cup Competitions by Season

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

European competitions record

Overview

Matches

;Notes
* 1QR: First qualifying round
* 2QR: Second qualifying round
* 3QR: Third qualifying round
* PO: Play-off round

UEFA club coefficient ranking

References

External links

*
Fan Website

*
Club info at MacedonianFootball

Supporters Website

Football Federation of Macedonia

{{Authority control

1979 establishments in the Socialist Republic of Macedonia
Association football clubs established in 1979
Football clubs in North Macedonia
Shkëndija