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.
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| Full name | Akademia e Futbollit Elbasani | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Tigrat | ||
| Founded | 2 August 2021 | ||
| 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) | ||
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History
editIn 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
editCurrent squad
edit- As of July 2024[5]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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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 |
Media 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- ^ "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.
- ^ "AF Elbasani shpallet kampion i Kategorisë së Tretë" [AF Elbasani become champions of Kategoria e Tretë] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 6 May 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "AF Elbasani". Sofascore. 4 May 2022.