Shkëndija Begin the League Season With Convincing 3–0 Victory Over Skopje

Shkëndija began the new season in the best possible way, defeating Skopje 3–0 in the opening round of the Macedonian First Football League.

Due to the renovation of the stadium in Tetovo and a two-match ban requiring the club to play behind closed doors, the Red and Blacks hosted the match at the FFM complex in Skopje.

Artim Pollozhani’s side dominated from the opening minutes and created several goalscoring opportunities.

Zejnullai found the net early in the match, but his goal was disallowed following a VAR review.

Shkëndija took the lead in the 17th minute. Goalkeeper Naumovski initially saved Tamba’s header, but Ndzengue reacted quickest and converted the rebound to make it 1–0.

Skopje threatened Shkëndija’s goal only once during the first half. Nikollovski’s 31st-minute free kick went wide.

The Red and Blacks continued to control the game and dictate the tempo after the break.

The second goal arrived in the 65th minute. Tamba’s effort struck the post before rebounding off goalkeeper Naumovski’s back and crossing the line. The goal was officially recorded as an own goal by the Skopje goalkeeper.

In the 75th minute, Spahiu produced an excellent run down the flank and provided the assist for Brazilian midfielder Rafa, who scored his first goal in a Shkëndija shirt to complete the 3–0 victory.

The Red and Blacks had an opportunity to add a fourth goal late in the match, but Besart Ibraimi failed to convert from the penalty spot.

Shkëndija therefore begin their domestic campaign with three thoroughly deserved points. Their attention now turns to the European match against NK Bravo.

Artim Pollozhani: “An Important Victory, but We Must Improve Our Tempo”

After the match, head coach Artim Pollozhani praised the result and his team’s performance but stressed that several areas still require improvement.

“It was the first league match, and it is always important to begin the season with a victory. I am pleased that we won 3–0, but there were moments when we did not play at the level or tempo we expect.”

Pollozhani admitted that Shkëndija’s European commitments had left his coaching staff with limited time to study their opponents.

“We faced some difficulties because we did not have much time to analyze Skopje. Friendly matches do not always allow you to draw accurate conclusions about how an opponent will approach a competitive game.”

The Shkëndija coach demanded greater precision from his players in the final third.

“We must continue working on our attacking play, our off-the-ball movement and the way we convert our opportunities. Against stronger teams, every missed chance can prove costly.”

Pollozhani also connected this issue to the 2–1 first-leg defeat against NK Bravo, when Shkëndija created opportunities but failed to make the most of them.

“We created several chances in the first game against Bravo, but we did not convert them, and that cost us. Fortunately, we scored three times today. It is a positive sign, but we must work to become even more clinical and efficient.”

Attention Turns to NK Bravo

Shkëndija must now put domestic competition aside and focus fully on the return match against NK Bravo in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

The Red and Blacks must overturn a 2–1 first-leg defeat in Slovenia.

Next match

Shkëndija vs. NK Bravo Skopje | July 30, 2026 | 8:00 p.m.

Shkëndija 3–0 Skopje (1–0)

Stadium: FFM Complex, Skopje Referee: Dimitar Pileshkov, Shtip Goals: Ndzengue 17’, Naumovski 65’ (own goal), Rafa 75’

Shkëndija: Amzai, Trumçi, Fetai, Meliqi, Dimoski, Rafa, Zejnullai (captain; Gjeorgjievski 77’), Krasniqi (Islami 73’), Tamba (Kërstevski 73’), Kryeziu (Spahiu 61’), Ndzengue (Ibraimi 61’).

Head coach: Artim Pollozhani

Skopje: Naumovski (captain), Gjurkovski, Angelov (Papaliski 71’), Cvetkovski (Daci 82’), Sekovski (Slavkov 82’), Ramadani, Nikollovski, Trajçevski, Mlladenovski, Poposki, Bozhinovski (Beroviq 71’).

Head coach: Muarem Muarem