KF Bylis

KF Bylis is an Albanian professional football club based in Ballsh, part of Mallakastër municipality. They compete in the Abissnet Superiore, the top tier of Albanian football. Their home ground is the Adush Muça Stadium.

KF Bylis

Full name	Klubi i Futbollit Bylis
Founded	14 July 1972; 52 years ago (1972-07-14) as U.P.TH.N Unaza e Përpunimit të Thellë të Naftës (1972–80) Ballshi i Ri (1980–91) Ballshi (1991–92) Bylis (1992–present)
Ground	Adush Muça Stadium
Capacity	5,200
President	Besnik Kapllanaj
Manager	Nevil Dede
League	Kategoria Superiore
2023–24	Kategoria e Parë, 2nd (promoted)
Home colours Away colours

History

Early years

The club was formed on 14 July 1972 as Ballshi i Ri, and they played in the Albanian Third Division between 1973 and 1976. But between 1976 and 1981, they were not allowed to participate in Albanian football due to laws restricting a single team from each district. They began playing once again in the Third Division in 1981, which they eventually won in 1986 and were promoted to the Albanian Second Division. The club played in the Second Division for 10 years between 1986 and 1996, where they were promoted following a successful 1995–96 season which saw the club score 124 goals and concede just 21, as the best goal scorer was Agim Metaj, making it a national record which was even noted by the prestigious French magazine France Football. However, despite their record breaking season they only finished as runners-up in the league but still achieved promotion to the Albanian Superliga.^[1]

Golden days

In their debut season in the top flight of Albanian football the club finished in 14th place out of 18 teams.^[2] During the 1998–99 season, the club finished in third place, just 2 points behind the eventual champions KF Tirana^[3] this earned the club a place in the UEFA Cup for the first time. In their first European experience, KF Bylis played Slovakian side Inter Bratislava, whom they lost 5–1 to on aggregate. The following season they would again finish strongly, this time in 5th place, joint on points with 4th-place side Vllaznia Shkodër, who they lost 4–3 to in the play-off for the UEFA Intertoto Cup place.^[4] In the 2000–01 season, they finished 5th once again^[5] and earned a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, where they met Romanian side FC Universitatea Craiova the following season. They lost 4–3 on aggregate, after a memorable 3–3 draw away in Romania^[6] and a 1–0 home loss.^[7]

Recent history

KF Bylis then began to struggle, eventually getting relegated after a poor 2002–03 season, which saw them finish second to last with just 26 points and 3 wins from 26 games.^[8] They were relegated once again to the third tier after the 2004–05 season in which they scored just 13 league goals in total. Between 2007 and 2009 the club achieved consecutive promotions back to the Albanian Superliga for the 2008–09 season.^{[citation needed]}

Besnik Kapllanaj was the club's president between 2006 and 2014 and owned a 75% share in the club, with the remaining 25% owned by the Ballsh Municipality.^[9]

On 15 March 2014 in a home tie against KF Laçi,^[10] the club's president was involved in an altercation with the FSHS head of competitions, Besnik Çela. Kapllanaj hit the FSHF delegate Çela in the head with a baton which required him to be rushed to hospital due to the injury. Cela refused to start the game due to overcrowding inside the Adush Muça Stadium. Once some of the fans had left they began to throw rock into the stadium in disapproval of the FSHF's decision to not let them watch the match, which kicked off 20 minutes later than scheduled. Kapllanaj then allegedly caused a power cut so that SuperSport Albania cameras could not transmit the game live as was planned. In the closing stages of the game KF Laçi were awarded a penalty which caused crowd trouble, as they began to throw rocks onto the pitch. KF Laçi's president Pashk Laska instructed captain and penalty taker Erjon Vuçaj to miss the penalty intentionally to avoid further trouble and danger for his teammates. Following the final whistle, Kapllanaj physically abused KF Laçi's players by hitting them with a baton, as well as Besnik Çela, who later filed a police report against Kapllanaj once he left the hospital.^[11] On 19 March, the club's president Besnik Kapllanaj resigned from his post hours before the verdict from the FSHF disciplinary commission, who punished him with a lifetime ban from sporting activities in Albania. The commission also expelled the club from the Albanian Superliga with 9 remaining games of the 2013–14 season, relegating the club to the Albanian First Division for the 2014–15 season as well as handing KF Laçi a 3–0 victory in the game which originally ended 0–0.^[12] The following day, Kapllanaj turned himself in to the Fier police authorities after being charged for assault.^[13]

Recent seasons

Season	Division	Pos.	Pl.	W	D	L	GS	GA	P	Cup	Top Scorer
2010–11	Kategoria Superiore	6th	33	13	4	16	44	48	43	QF	Fjodor Xhafa 10
2011–12	Kategoria Superiore	6th	26	9	8	9	40	37	35	QF	Amarildo Dimo 9
2012–13	Kategoria Superiore	9th	26	9	6	11	32	29	33	RU	Solomonson Izuchukwuka 11
2013–14	Kategoria Superiore	12th	33	5	9	19	20	54	24	QF	Solomonson Izuchukwuka 7
2014–15	Kategoria e Parë	1st	27	17	2	8	46	26	53	SR	Brunild Pepa 10
2015–16	Kategoria Superiore	9th	36	8	8	20	27	53	32	SR	Ardit Hoxhaj 7
2016–17	Kategoria e Parë	2nd	26	17	6	3	40	15	57	SR	Jasmin Raboshta 5 Aldo Mitraj 5
2017–18	Kategoria e Parë	2nd	26	14	7	5	43	24	41	SR	Niko Zisi 9
2018–19	Kategoria e Parë	1st	26	21	3	2	52	10	42	SR	Beji Anthony 6 Dosseh Koffi 6
2019–20	Kategoria Superiore	7th	36	12	15	9	46	38	51	SF	Saliou Guindo 10
2020–21	Kategoria Superiore	9th	36	7	10	19	28	51	31	SR	Beji Anthony 10
2021–22	Kategoria e Parë	1st	30	22	3	5	51	18	69	SR	Eridon Qardaku 20
2022–23	Kategoria Superiore	9th	36	9	11	16	31	42	38	SR	Luis Kaçorri 6
2023–24	Kategoria e Parë	2nd	33	22	5	6	55	31	71	R16	Kibe
2024–25	Kategoria Superiore

KF Bylis in Europe

As of December, 2008.

Season	Competition	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1999–00	UEFA Cup	QR		Inter Bratislava	0–2	1–3	1–5
2001	UEFA Intertoto Cup	1R		Universitatea Craiova	0–1	3–3	3–4

• QR = Qualifying Round
• 1R = 1st Round

Players

Current squad

As of 1 September 2024^[14]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ALB Renato Beqaj 3 DF  BRA Bruno Nascimento 4 DF  BRA Gabriel Recife 5 DF  ALB Kristo Miçi 6 DF  GER Eduart Mahmuti 8 MF  ALB Xhoeli Macolli 9 FW  ALB Mario Gjata 11 FW  ALB Patrik Treni 13 DF  ALB Fabjan Përndreca 14 DF  BRA Igor Almeida 16 MF  BRA Wendel Nery 17 FW  CIV Aboubacar Camara 18 MF  ALB Flamur Ruçi 19 FW  ALB Endri Çelaj 20 FW  NGA Malomo Ayodeji

No. Pos. Nation Player 21 MF  ALB Henri Sulovari 22 MF  ALB Ervis Kasaj 23 DF  GHA McCarthy Ofori 29 FW  AZE Amil Yunanov 33 GK  ALB Klevis Hasanbelli 41 FW  GER Erich Berko 44 DF  ALB Aurel Marku 55 DF  BRA Higor Fellype 69 FW  ALB Laert Papa 70 MF  ECU Alex Peralta 76 MF  ALB Arli Përgjoni 77 MF  ALB Marin Abazaj (captain) 80 FW  BRA Felipe Souza 98 MF  BRA Walisson Nem 99 FW  BRA Laércio Georges

On Loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  BRA Guilherme Buranelli (at Erzeni Shijak)

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  NGA Ibrahim Akibu (at Erzeni Shijak)

U-19 Squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ALB Rejdi Jahaj 2 DF  ALB Kristi Merkaj 3 DF  ALB Kejdi Kaceli 4 FW  ALB Pedro Marku 5 DF  BRA Higor Fellype 6 MF  NGA Rapheal Olawole 7 MF  NGA Chidera Nwaneri 8 MF  ALB Mario Bushi 9 FW  NGA Victor Ojo 10 FW  BRA Laércio Georges 11 MF  ALB Andrea Thanasi

No. Pos. Nation Player 12 GK  ALB Eris Qalliu 13 DF  ALB Fabjan Përndreca 14 MF  ALB Aislin Ahmetaj 15 MF  ALB Eldinjo Alimerkaj 17 FW  ALB Gjergji Shyti 18 DF  ALB Flavio Cypi 19 FW  NGA Ayomide Babajide 21 MF  ALB Aureljo Marku 22 MF  ALB Eriklen Bregasi 23 MF  NGA Olamilekan Adeduro 44 DF  ALB Aurel Marku (captain)

Notable players

Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for Bylis Ballsh.

Past (and present) players who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles can be found

• Agim Metaj
• Julian Ahmataj
• Klodian Asllani
• Engert Bakalli
• Endri Bakiu
• Ferdinand Bilali
• Edmond Dalipi
• Klevis Dalipi
• Bledar Devolli
• Ilir Dibra
• Amarildo Dimo
• Johan Driza
• Anesti Vito
• Dashnor Dume
• Stivi Frashëri
• Alpin Gallo
• Romeo Haxhiaj
• Isli Hidi
• Akil Jakupi
• Maringlen Kule
• Gentian Muça
• Olgert Muka
• Oltion Osmani
• Artion Poçi
• Jetmir Sefa
• Gentian Stojku
• Daniel Xhafa
• Fjodor Xhafa
• Ardit Hoxhaj
• Guy Madjo
• Borjan Pancevski
• Dimitar Kapinkovski
• Kire Ristevski
• Mirza Durakovic
• Miloš Stojanović
• Patrik Bordon
• Marco Morgon
• João Ananias
• Rafael Barbosa
• Birungueta
• Alan Henrique
• Ndubuisi Egbo
• January Ziambo
• Peter Olayinka
• James Adeniyi
• Solomonson Izuchukwuka
• Kehinde Owoeye
• Odirah Ntephe
• Beji Anthony
• Saliou Guindo

List of managers

• Migjen Skënderi (1995–1998)
• Vangjel Capo (1998)
• Hysen Dedja (1999)
• Shpëtim Duro (1999–2000)
• Vasil Bici (2000)
• Vangjel Capo (2001)
• Petraq Bisha (2001)
• Ilir Gjyla (2002)
• Andrea Marko (21 Sep 2002 - 7 Dec 2002)
• Migjen Skënderi (2003)
• Agim Metaj (2003)
• Kristaq Mile (2003–2004)
• Faruk Sejdini (Jul 2007 – 15 Sep 2008)
• Hysen Dedja (15 Sep 2008 – 4 May 2009)
• Gerd Haxhiu (4 May 2009 - Jun 2009)
• Ilir Spahiu (Jul 2009 - 13 Sep 2010)
• Agim Metaj (2010)
• Nikola Ilievski (13 Sep 2010 - 7 Mar 2011)
• Agim Canaj (7 Mar 2011 - Jun 2011)
• Naci Şensoy (Jul 2011 - Jun 2012)
• Agim Canaj (Jul 2012 - 20 Nov 2012)
• Naci Şensoy (20 Nov 2012 - Jun 2013)
• Ndubuisi Egbo (1 Aug 2013 – 30 May 2014)
• Roland Nenaj (1 Jul 2014 - 31 May 2015)
• Agim Canaj (28 Jul 2015 - 8 Oct 2015)
• Mauro De Vecchis (8 Oct 2015 - 23 Oct 2015)
• Marenglen Kule (23 Oct 2015 - 29 Jan 2016)
• Adnan Zildžović (29 Jan 2016 - Jul 2016)
• Julian Ahmataj (Sep 2016 - Oct 2016)
• Eqerem Memushi (14 Oct 2016 - 26 Jan 2017)
• Artan Mërgjyshi (Jan 2017 - Apr 2017)
• Marcello Troisi (Apr 2017 – May 2017)
• Bledar Devolli (5 Aug 2017 - 4 Oct 2017)
• Stavri Nica (Oct 2017 - Nov 2017)
• Marcello Troisi (Jan 2018 – Feb 2018)
• Veljko Dovedan (1 July 2018 – 6 June 2021)
• Jeton Beqiri (7 June 2021 – 15 Aug 2022 )
• Arjan Bellaj (16 Aug 2022 - 22 Jan 2023)
• Naci Şensoy (23 Jan 2023 - 5 Jun 2023)
• Febron Ziu (10 Jul 2023 - 6 Aug 2023)
• Arjan Bellaj (7 Aug 2023 - 23 May 2024)
• Ndubuisi Egbo (4 Jul 2024 - 24 Sep 2024)
• Nevil Dede (25 Sep 2024 - )

References

1. Para viteve ‘90, asnjëherë mes më të mirëve Archived 2014-03-21 at archive.today
2. "Albanian football season 1996–97". Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
3. "Albanian football season 1998–99". Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
4. "Albanian football season 1999-00". Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
5. "Albania football season 2000–01". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
6. Universitatea Craiova 3–3 Bylis
7. Bylis 0 – 1 Universitatea Craiova
8. "Albanian football season 2002–03". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
9. Kapllanaj "Futbollit i kërkoj ndjesë, për 8 vite dhashë edhe shpirtin!" Archived 2014-03-20 at the Wayback Machine
10. "Bylish 0–0 Laçi". Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
11. "Banditizëm në Ballsh, Kapllanaj i godet të gjithë me shkop gome". Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
12. "Disiplina dënon aktet dhunës në futboll". Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
13. Disiplina përjashton Bylisin, ja se si ndryshon Superiorja Archived 2014-03-20 at the Wayback Machine
14. "Bylis Ballsh squad". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.