KF Feronikeli

KF Feronikeli (Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Feronikeli), commonly known as Feronikeli is a professional football club based in Glogovac, Kosovo. The club play in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the top tier of football in the country.

Feronikeli
Full nameKlubi Futbollistik Feronikeli
Nickname(s)Tigrat e Zi (The Black Tigers)
Founded8 April 1974 (1974-04-08) as Nikeli
GroundRexhep Rexhepi Stadium
Capacity6,000
PresidentNaser Ramaj
ManagerAfrim Tovërlani
LeagueFootball Superleague of Kosovo
2018–19Football Superleague of Kosovo, 1st
WebsiteClub website

History
The old club logo, until 2018

In 1974, the club was founded as Nikeli. During the spring and summer of 1974, an intense activity took place in all aspects for the formation of the football club, its registration and inclusion in the Inter-Municipal Football League level, namely, at the District League of Pristina. At the top of this activity was the physical education teacher, Hashim Mala.[1]

On 8 April 1974, the Founding Assembly of the Football Club was held in the Glogovac Municipal Assembly Hall. In this assembly was founded the club, which was named Nikeli with headquarters in Glogovac. Then, the headship of the club was elected, the 11-member presidency with Tahir Ajazi as president, vice-president Murtes Zogu, secretary Jusuf Dobra, treasurer Habib Kukiqi and board members were Fetah Elshani, Ismail Bajraktari, Mehdi Bardhi, Nazif Sejda, Rade Jevremović, Remzi Heta and Sylejman Kastrati. This assembly elected Mehdi Bardhi as technical director, while coach was Hashim Mala.[1]

The club has historically closely been associated with NewCo Feronikeli, the nearby ore mining and metallurgical complex, ever since the plant was built in 1984.[2] In the 2014–15 season they were crowned champions for the first time in the club's history.[3] They won the 2018–19 championship as well, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds for the first time in their history.

Stadium

The club has played its home games at the Rexhep Rexhepi Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi Rexhep Rexhepi) is a multi-purpose stadium in Glogovac, Kosovo. The stadium has a capacity of 6,000 people all seater and is named after the club's former player and captain Rexhep Rexhepi, who fought for the Kosovo Liberation Army and was killed on 12 February 1999 by Serb forces during KLA insurgency right before the start of the Kosovo War.[4]

Supporters
Tigrat e Zi
Founded2014 (2014)
TypeSupporters' group
LocationGlogovac, Kosovo
ArenaRexhep Rexhepi Stadium
StandWest

Tigrat e Zi are the clubs' supporters. The supporters stand in the West part of the stadium.

Honours
KF Feronikeli honours
Type Competition Titles Seasons/Years
Domestic Football Superleague of Kosovo 3 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19
Kosovar Cup 3 2013–14, 2014–15, 2018–19
Kosovar Supercup 2 2015, 2019
International Albania Independence Cup 1 2014

Players

Current squad
As of 1 February 2020[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
4 MF Albert Dabiqaj
5 DF Lapidar Lladrovci (captain)
6 DF Astrit Thaqi
7 FW Mendurim Hoti
8 MF Drilon Lladrovci
9 FW Mevlan Zeka
10 MF Medjon Hoxha
11 MF Jean Carioca
12 GK Florian Smakiqi
14 MF Nicholas Andrews
15 MF Argjend Malaj
16 FW Van-Dave Harmon
18 DF Keith Groeneveld
19 DF Simon Loshi
No. Position Player
20 MF Besmir Bojku (on loan from Shkëndija)
21 DF Përparim Islami
24 DF Ilir Berisha
26 MF Rilind Lladrovci
27 MF Met Millaku
29 MF Ardi Qorri
31 MF Arbër Ahmeti
33 MF Kristi Kullaj
39 GK Festim Krasniqi
61 DF Prince Balde
77 MF Dorent Hajdari
93 GK Jacek Deniz Troshupa
97 GK Gentrit Hasi
99 DF Yll Hoxha

Other players under contract

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
— DF Lorent Shala
— MF Riza Zhdrella
No. Position Player
— FW Riza Hoti

Personnel

KF Feronikeli in Europe

Feronikeli will compete in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the 2019–20 season, entering at the preliminary round. On 11 June 2019, in Nyon, the draw was held and Feronikeli were drawn against the Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps.[20][21] On 25 June 2019, Feronikeli beat the Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina.[22]

After being eliminated from The New Saints, Feronikeli continued to play in the second qualifying round of UEFA Europa League. On 17 July 2019, Feronikeli learns the upcoming rival which was the champion of 2018–19 Slovak First Football League, Slovan Bratislava.[23]

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2019–20 UEFA Champions League PR Lincoln Red Imps 1–0
FC Santa Coloma 2–1
1Q The New Saints 0−1 2–2 2–3
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 2Q Slovan Bratislava 0−2 1−2 1−4

References
  1. "Rreth klubit" [About the club] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli.
  2. "NewCo Feronikeli nderohet me medalje dhe mirënjohje nga KF Feronikeli" [NewCo Feronikeli honored with medals and gratitude by KF Feronikeli] (in Albanian). Kosova Press. 17 June 2014.
  3. "Feronikeli për herë të parë kampion (VIDEO)" [Feronikeli for the first time champion (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 7 June 2015.
  4. "Feronikeli përkujtoi Rexhepin" [Feronikeli reminded Rexhepi]. Arkiva Mediatike Shqiptare (in Albanian). 13 February 2011.
  5. "Ekipi" [The team] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli.
  6. "Musa Selimi shkruajti faqen e parë të historisë së Feronikelit, kujton këto dy suksese të mëdha në karrierën e tij!" [Musa Selimi wrote the first page of Feronikeli's history, reminiscent of these two great successes in his career!]. Gazeta Sheshi (in Albanian). 29 May 2019.
  7. "Arbnor Morina jep dorëheqje nga Ferronikeli" [Arbnor Morina resigns from Ferronikeli] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 7 October 2013.
  8. "Ferronikeli do të jetë ndryshe në pranverë" [Ferronikeli will be different in the spring] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 20 October 2013.
  9. "Sejdiu te Feronikeli, largohet Krasniqi" [Sejdiu at Feronikeli, Krasniqi leaves] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 6 July 2014.
  10. "Zyrtare: Tovërlani trajner i Feronikelit" [Official: Tovërlani, Feronikeli's coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 9 December 2015.
  11. "Gani Sejdiu, trajner i Feronikelit, të premten prezantimi" [Gani Sejdiu, Feronikeli's coach, on Friday the presentation] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 July 2017.
  12. "Ramadani fillon stërvitjet te Feronikeli" [Ramadan begins training at Feronikeli] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 1 October 2017.
  13. "Zyrtare: Ismet Munishi merr drejtimin e Feronikelit" [Official: Ismet Munishi takes over the leadership of Feronikeli] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 17 December 2017.
  14. "Zyrtare: Sulejman Starova, trajner i Feronikelit" [Official: Sulejman Starova, Feronikeli's coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 20 March 2018.
  15. "Zyrtare: Feronikeli shkarkon Starovën, emëron Zekirija Ramadanin trajner të ri" [Official: Feronikeli dismiss Starova, appoint Zekirija Ramadani new coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 3 September 2018.
  16. "Zyrtare: Dejan Vukiqeviq trajner i Feronikelit" [Official: Dejan Vukićević, Feronikeli's coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 6 August 2019.
  17. "Zyrtare: Agim Sopi merr drejtimin e FC Feronikelit" [Official: Agim Sopi takes charge of FC Feronikeli] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 1 November 2019.
  18. "Malsor Gjonbalaj, merr drejtimin e Feronikelit" [Malsor Gjonbalaj, takes over the leadership of Feronikeli]. Gazeta Olle (in Albanian). 29 February 2020.
  19. "Zyrtare, Afrim Toverlani merr drejtimin e FC Feronikelit" [Official, Afrim Toverlani takes over the leadership of FC Feronikeli] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 5 March 2020.
  20. "Zyrtare: Lincoln Red Imps, kundërshtari i Feronikelit për Champions" [Official: Lincoln Red Imps, Feronikeli's opponent for the Champions] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 11 June 2019.
  21. "Feronikeli mëson kundërshtarin për fazën parakualifikuese në Ligën e Kampionëve" [Feronikeli teaches the opponent for the pre-qualification stage in the Champions League] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 11 June 2019. Feronikeli në parakualifikimet e Ligës së Kampionëve do të ketë punë me Lincoln Red Imps nga Gjibraltari
  22. "Feronikeli fiton ndaj Lincolnit dhe bën një hap të madh në raundin parakualifikues në LK" [Feronikeli wins against Lincoln and makes a big leap in the pre-qualifying round at CL] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 25 June 2019.
  23. "Zyrtare: Feronikeli luan kundër Slovan Bratislava në Europa Ligë" [Official: Feronikeli plays against Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 17 July 2019.
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