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By:
Faton Polisi
- 21 May 2026 19:35
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Dukagjini has won the Kosovo Cup final in football for the first time in the club's history.
Dukagjini of Klina won its first Cup trophy on the fourth attempt.
The Klina team triumphed 2:1 over Ferizaj in the final that took place on Thursday night at the "Fadil Vokrri" stadium in Prishtina. But the celebration was overshadowed by the incident that occurred at the end of the match. In a sign of revolt, the Ferizaj players, at the request of coach Arsim Abazi, left the field. They returned a few minutes later, but in the end they refused to receive their medals.
Coach Abazi said that it was decided from the beginning that Ferizaj would leave the Super League and lose the Kosovo Cup.
"We were relegated from the league by these referees. It was from the beginning that Ferizaj would leave the Super League and lose the Cup," Abazi declared after the match.
The challenge was very open and there were some great goals scored. There were many situations that were reviewed by the VAR room, while there was also a lot of tension on the field.
Altin Mërlaku scored with a very powerful shot for Dukagjini in the 16th minute, beating goalkeeper McKenzie-Lyle.
Ferizaj also responded with a beautiful goal. After a well-organized action, Kushtrim Shabani scored for 1:1 with a precise shot from the area, in the 23rd minute. The goal was accepted by referee Genc Nuza, after confirmation by VAR.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Ferizaj requested a penalty after claiming that Betim Haxhimusa was illegally stopped by Dukagjini goalkeeper Egzon Lekaj. Referee Nuza saw the situation on VAR and assessed that Lekaj's intervention was not a penalty.
The first half ended with this result.
In the 63rd minute, Dukagjini thought he had won a penalty when referee Genc Nuza saw an illegal tackle in the area. However, VAR intervened again and referee Nuza reversed the decision, awarding only a penalty kick.
Two minutes later, there were tensions on the field between Ferizaj and Dukagjini players.
Meanwhile, in the 70th minute, Dukagjini was left with one player less. Midfielder Erlis Xhemajli was punished with a second yellow card and was expelled from the game after interfering in the middle of the field with Alban Shabani.
When Ferizaj was expected to react and score the winning goal after the numerical superiority of the players, striker Berisha of Dukagjini appeared on the scene.
The 20-year-old shot accurately from half-court in the 75th minute and beat goalkeeper McKenzie, who had gone too far from the goal.
Ferizaj tried to equalize the score and send the game to extra time, but they didn't have the strength. They even requested a penalty in the 93rd minute for a handball by defender Albion Pllana in the area.
Referee Genc Nuza did not award a penalty, which irritated the Ferizaj players. Captain Betim Haxhimusa was sent off due to numerous protests, while coach Arsim Abazi then pulled the team off the field and the players went into the locker room.
After a delay of about 10 minutes, the Ferizaj team returned to the field. However, there was no time to change the score, although Ferizaj had several half-chances.
For Dukagjini coach Arsim Thaqi, it is another Kosovo Cup trophy won. He won the Kosovo Cup with Prishtina last season, while he led the blue team this season as well.
He then left Pristina and took over the management of Dukagjini, with whom he will appear in the Conference League qualifiers.
"Finals are played to be won, not to be played. It is the moment for me as a coach to play and fight for the title after this success," said Dukagjini coach Arsim Thaqi.
Ferizaj does not come out to accept the medals
Ferizaj players and staff did not come out to accept their medals after the 2:1 defeat to Dukagjini in the Kosovo Cup final. The refusal was made as a sign of protest. Ferizaj players expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing.
"Genc Nuza, congratulations on the Kosovo Cup. Shame is no different! We don't get medals," Ferizaj wrote on Facebook.
Ferizaj withdraws from the field
The Ferizaj team has been withdrawn from the field after the scenes in the last minutes.
Coach Arsim Abazi withdrew the team after a penalty was called in the third minute of extra time.
Ferizaj players claimed a handball in the area by defender Albion Pllana.
Referee Genc Nuza did not signal the penalty.
After numerous protests in search of a penalty, Ferizaj captain Betim Haxhimusa was sent off. Ferizaj then went to the locker room.
Berisha extraordinary, scores from half the field
Hekuran Berisha scored a super goal from half the field and put Dukagjin of Klina ahead 2:1.
Berisha shot miraculously in the 75th minute and beat goalkeeper McKenzie, who had gone too far from the goal.
Dukagjini is one player short on the field.
Dukagjini remains with one less player
Dukagjini i Klina is left with one less player on the field.
In the 70th minute, midfielder Erlis Xhemajli was shown a second yellow card and sent off after a challenge on Alban Shabani in midfield.
The situation at "Fadil Vokrri" is tense
There were tensions in the 65th minute between Ferizaj and Dukagjini players.
Both teams are trying to score the lead.
A penalty was awarded to Dukagjini in the 63rd minute by referee Genc Nuza.
But then, Nuza received confirmation from VAR that the illegal interference was outside the area and reversed the decision, awarding a free kick to the Klina team.
The fiery first half of the Cup final ends in a draw
The first half of the Kosovo Cup final in football between Ferizaj and Dukagjini ended in a 1:1 draw.
There were goals and scoring chances and it was a hard fought game.
Altin Mërlaku scored for 1:0 in favor of Dukagjini in the 16th minute with a super goal from distance, beating goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle.
Immediately in the 23rd minute, Ferizaj responded, with a beautiful goal.
Kushtrim Shabani scored with a precise shot from the area, after a well-constructed action.
His goal was accepted by referee Genc Nuza, after VAR confirmation.
In the 30th minute, Dukagjini's Hekuran Berisha was unlucky when he only hit the post after shooting from the area. He ran a lot until entering the area and then attempted with his left foot.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Ferizaj requested a penalty after claiming that Betim Haxhimusa was obstructed in the area by Dukagjini's goalkeeper, Egzon Lekaj.
Judge Nuza saw the situation on VAR and assessed that Lekaj's intervention did not exist.
Fiery final, Dukagjini hits the post
Dukagjini from Klina hit the post and came close to scoring the second goal.
In the 30th minute, after a long run, Hekuran Berisha finally hit the post. He entered the area and shot with his left foot, but was unlucky in the end.
Ferizaj responds with a beautiful goal
Ferizaj responded in the Kosovo Cup final against Dukagjini with a beautiful goal as well.
After a well-organized action, Kushtrim Shabani scored for 1:1 with a precise shot from the area.
Shabani scored in the 23rd minute, sending the ball behind goalkeeper Egzon Lekaj's back.
The goal was accepted by referee Genc Nuza, after VAR confirmation.
Merlaku puts Dukagjin in the lead with a super goal
Altin Mërlaku put Dukagjini of Klina ahead with a super goal in the 16th minute of the match.
The striker fired a powerful shot from distance and beat goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle.
10 minutes of play in the Cup final
10 minutes of play have been played in the Kosovo Cup final between Ferizaj and Dukagjini.
The result is still goalless.
The teams are being very cautious at the start of the match.
Official lineups for the Kosovo Cup final are published
The Kosovo Cup final will start at 20:00 and will be played at the "Fadil Vokrri" stadium in Pristina.
Ferizaj faces Dukagjini. Neither of these teams has won the Kosovo Cup trophy, although they have previously appeared in the final.
Ferizaj has played in the final twice, while Dukagjini has played four times.
Ferizaj, on their way to the Cup final, eliminated Tefik Çanga, Drenica, Vushtrri and Llapi in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, coach Arsim Thaqi's Dukagjini eliminated Ramiz Sadiku, Prishtina e Re, Feronikeli 74 and Balkan in the semifinals.
Ferizaj, led by coach Arsim Abazi, was relegated from the Kosovo Super League last weekend after a 3:3 draw with Pristina, while Dukagjini i Klina still does not have a secure position in the Kosovo football elite, with two rounds remaining.
Ferizaj's lineup:
McKenzie, Neziri, Iljazi, Gligorov, Sadiki, A. Shabani, K. Shabani, Haxhimusa (C), Berisha, Silva, Oguns
Dukagjini Formation:
Lekaj, Basriu (C), Pllana, Iseni, Vitor Hugo, Bardhoku, Morina, Xhemajli, Merlaku, Isufi, Berisha
Ferizaj captain Betim Haxhimusa reacts
Ferizaj captain, Betim Haxhiumusa, has reacted after losing the Kosovo Cup final in football to Dukagjini.
He said that the decisions of the judge, Genc Nuza, influenced the final result.
Haxhimusa was sent off with a red card at the end of the match. He was sent off due to the protests.
In a sign of revolt, the Ferizaj players, at the request of coach Arsim Abazi, left the field. They returned a few minutes later, but in the end refused to receive their medals.
"Today we lost the final, but the pride for this team does not disappear. There were also moments that left us with a very bitter taste - two penalties that, in our opinion, were denied and the decisions affected the game. However, we fought until the end with heart. Heads up, because this does not erase our work and sacrifice. Shame, shame Genc", wrote Haxhimusa on "facebook".
Merlaku talks about his emotions after winning his first trophy with Dukagjini
Altin Mërlaku grew up with the Dukagjini team and found the Kosovo Cup triumph extremely exciting.
He scored a beautiful goal for 1:0 against Ferizaj.
"It was a good, emotional game, especially for me. There is no greater achievement than winning the Cup with the team you grew up with. I owed a cup to this club. I was happy for the goal, it was a beautiful goal, just like Hekurani's. For me it was important to lift the trophy. Now we will play in Europe, it is a great pleasure", emphasized Merlaku.
Berisha reveals whether the goal from half the field was accidental
Photo: Taulant Ahmeti
Striker Hekuran Berisha scored the winning goal 2:1 from half the field. He said that he had followed the Ferizaj goalkeeper in several matches, and saw that he had frequent exits away from the goal.
"I scored a goal from a very long distance but I saw the goalkeeper who was far away like in some other matches. I saw him come out and I hit the ball and scored. I helped my city's team to the first trophy and I am very happy that I brought it to my city. It was difficult. There is no easy opponent in the final, it was 50-50. We were one player less but we did it. We will need reinforcements and represent the team in Europe as best as possible", declared Berisha.
Thaqi very happy after triumph, aims for good performance in Europe
Dukagjinit Klina coach, Arsim Thaqi, expressed his happiness over the Kosovo Cup triumph in football.
Dukagjini defeated Ferizaj, 2:1.
"We scored a goal that is rarely seen on our fields and in the international arena. I thank the fans for their support, we will try to represent our football in the best way. Dukagjini has lost the final three times, it is understandable that when it comes to another final, normally it has nothing to do with football. Finals are played to be won, not to be played. I have put pressure on because we have also lost energy, we have played three games a week. Playing the final after all these games, with many players without experience in the final, is difficult. But, commitment is always needed, the players wanted the victory and I congratulate them for that. It is the moment for me as a coach to play and fight for the title after this success. After this championship we need time to bring quality players, to organize with new elements and I hope that the club will be ready. We will try to represent Kosovo in the best way", declared Thaqi after the match.
Abbas faces serious charges
Ferizaj coach, Arsim Abazi, has severely accused the referees of this edition of Kosovo football, and in particular, Genc Nuza, the main referee of the Kosovo Cup final.
Coach Abazi said that it was decided from the beginning that Ferizaj would leave the Super League and lose the Kosovo Cup.
"First of all, I congratulate Dukagjini on the victory. I'm sorry that these referrals are happening, we had a referee with a FIFA emblem in front of us. Nuza told me that it wasn't a penalty for him in the first half, and in the second half he said that he wouldn't look at the VAR. It was a penalty because the opponent took the ball away with his hand and he didn't look at the VAR. I'm sorry that in the final we see these things, I'm sorry that they see us with this kind of nonsense. I can't decide to withdraw the team, there is a president and a director, and the players didn't want to continue the game. In talks with the president and director, it was decided that the team would return to the field. In four extra minutes, VAR took five minutes. Eight substitutions were made and there were only four extra minutes. We were relegated from the league by these referees. It was from the beginning that Ferizaj would leave the Super League and lose the Cup", Abazi declared after the match.