Gabala SC

Gabala
Full nameGabala Sports Club
Qəbələ İdman Klubu
Nickname(s)Radarlar (The Radars)
Qırmızı-qaralar (The Red-blacks)
Founded4 May 2005 (2005-05-04), as Qabala
GroundGabala City Stadium
Capacity4,500
ChairmanFariz Najafov
ManagerKakhaber Tskhadadze
LeagueAzerbaijan Premier League
2024–25Azerbaijan First Division, 1st of 10 (promoted)
Websitewww.gabalafc.az

Gabala SC (Azerbaijani: Qəbələ İK, pronounced [ɡæbæˈlæ]),[1][2] also spelled Qabala, is an Azerbaijani professional football club based in Qabala, which have competed in the Azerbaijan Premier League since 2006. They will be set to play in Azerbaijan Premier League from 2025–26 season following their promotion from the Azerbaijan First Division in 2024–25. Gabala has been the runner up in the Premier League three times and has won the national cup twice, in 2019 and 2023. Gabala is one of the 2 teams that started the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League for 2 seasons and managed to move on to the group stage.[3][4]

History

The club was founded under the name of Goy Gol on 3 July 1995, based in Goy Gol. On 1 September 2005, Goy Gol was registered in Gabala by the Ministry of Justice, before the AFFA registered the team as professional on 5 September of the same year. In the summer of 2006, the team moved from Goygol to Qabala, before the club changed its name to Gilan PFK. Later, the club changed its name to Qəbələ PFK on 31 August 2007.[5][6]

On 10 May 2010, former Arsenal defender Tony Adams was appointed as new manager after signing a £1 million per year deal with the club.[7][8] In his first season in charge Gabala finished in 7th place in Azerbaijan Premier League.[9][10] In November 2011, Adams resigned as Gabala's coach due to family problems.[11][12]

Despite the appointment of managers like Fatih Kavlak and Ramiz Mammadov, the club could not reach a satisfactory position in the league and was struggling in the middle of the table for many years.[13][14] On 29 May 2013, Yuri Semin was appointed as the new manager after signing a £1 million per year deal with the club.[15][16] In the same year, the club qualified for European cups for the first time in their history but lost to Neftchi Baku on penalties in the final of the Azerbaijan Cup.[17][18]

In the 2015–16 season of the Europa League, they became the 3rd club from Azerbaijan to qualify for the group stage after Qarabağ FK and Neftçi Baku. They eliminated Dinamo Tbilisi, Čukarički, Apollon Limassol and surprisingly Panathinaikos. They came 4th in their tough group of Borussia Dortmund, PAOK and FC Krasnodar. They got two points both from 0–0 draws against PAOK.

Following their defeat to Keşla in the 2017–18 Azerbaijan Cup Final, Roman Hryhorchuk left Gabala after his contract was not extended.[19] On 30 May 2018, Gabala announced that Sanan Gurbanov had been appointed as the club's new manager on a two-year contract.[20] On 31 August 2019, Gurbanov resigned as manager following Gabala's 4–0 defeat at home to Keşla.[21] On 2 September 2019, Elmar Bakhshiyev was appointed as Gabala's manager.[22]

On 24 February 2024, Elmar Bakhshiyev resigned as Head Coach, with Kakhaber Tskhadadze being appointed the following day.[23][24] On 27 May 2024, at the end of the 2023-24 season, Gabala extended their contract with Tskhadadze for an additional three-seasons.[25]

Following their 5–0 victory over Baku Sporting on 4 April, Gabala secured promotion back to the Azerbaijan Premier League at their first attempt.[26]

League and cup history

Season League Azerbaijan Cup Top goalscorer Managers
Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League
2005–06 2nd 1st 30 22 6 2 72 14 72 Last 16 R.Ahmadov 18 Faig Jabbarov
2006–07 1st 11th 24 4 4 16 17 47 16 Last 16 Vusal Garaev 4 Ramiz Mammadov
2007–08 1st 6th 26 11 3 12 33 36 36 Semi-finals Vitali Balamestny 8
2008–09 1st 10th 26 9 6 11 28 21 33 Semi-finals Kanan Karimov 6
2009–10 1st 6th 42 15 14 14 42 48 56 1st round Tomasz Stolpa 7
2010–11 1st 7th 32 13 12 7 31 18 51 Quarter-finals Deon Burton 9 Tony Adams
2011–12 1st 5th 32 15 7 10 43 32 52 Quarter-finals Dodô
Yannick Kamanan
9 Tony Adams
Fatih Kavlak
2012–13 1st 6th 32 10 8 14 32 40 38 Quarter-finals Victor Mendy
Assis
6 Fatih Kavlak
Ramiz Mammadov
Luis Aragón
2013–14 1st 3rd 36 18 7 11 48 36 61 Runners-up Danijel Subotić 12 Yuri Semin
2014–15 1st 3rd 32 15 9 8 46 35 54 Quarter-finals Javid Huseynov 11 Dorinel Munteanu
Roman Hryhorchuk
2015–16 1st 3rd 36 16 11 9 44 28 59 Semi-finals Oleksiy Gai 10 Roman Hryhorchuk
2016–17 1st 2nd 28 14 10 4 48 21 52 Runners-up Filip Ozobić 11
2017–18 1st 2nd 28 14 7 7 43 26 49 Runners-up Bagaliy Dabo 13
2018–19 1st 4th 28 9 9 10 31 33 36 Champions James Adeniyi 10 Sanan Gurbanov
2019–20 1st 8th 20 5 4 11 25 35 19 Semi-finals Davit Volkovi 5 Sanan Gurbanov
Elmar Bakhshiyev
2020–21 1st 7th 28 5 11 12 23 44 26 Quarter-finals Raphael Utzig 5 Elmar Bakhshiyev
2021–22 1st 4th 28 12 9 7 38 34 45 Semi-finals Isnik Alimi 8
2022–23 1st 4th 36 13 11 12 47 47 50 Champions Isnik Alimi 9
2023–24 1st 10th 36 7 5 24 30 64 26 Semi-finals Osama Khalaila 9 Elmar Bakhshiyev
Kakhaber Tskhadadze
2024–25 2nd 1st 27 21 4 2 56 8 67 Last 16 Domi Massoumou 16 Kakhaber Tskhadadze

European record

As of match played 3 August 2023
Competition Pld W D L GF GA
UEFA Europa League 38 10 7 21 36 55
UEFA Europa Conference League 4 1 0 3 6 12
Total 42 11 7 24 42 67
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1Q Široki Brijeg 0–2 0–3 0–5
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1Q Dinamo Tbilisi 2–0 1–2 3–2
2Q Čukarički 2–0 0–1 2–1
3Q Apollon Limassol 1–0 1–1 2–1
PO Panathinaikos 0–0 2–2 2–2 (a)
Group C Borussia Dortmund 1–3 0–4 4th
PAOK 0–0 0–0
Krasnodar 0–3 1–2
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1Q Samtredia 5–1 1–2 6–3
2Q MTK Budapest 2–0 2–1 4–1
3Q Lille 1–0 1–1 2–1
PO Maribor 3–1 0–1 3–2
Group C Anderlecht 1–3 1–3 4th
Saint-Étienne 1–2 0–1
Mainz 05 2–3 0–2
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 2Q Jagiellonia Białystok 1–1 2–0 3–1
3Q Panathinaikos 1–2 0–1 1–3
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1Q Progrès Niederkorn 0–2 1–0 1–2
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 2Q Dinamo Tbilisi 0–2 0–3 0–5
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Fehérvár 2–1 1–4 3–5
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Omonia 2–3 1–4 3–7
Notes
  • 1Q: First qualifying round
  • 2Q: Second qualifying round
  • 3Q: Third qualifying round
  • PO: Play-off round
  • Group: Group stage

Crest and colours

The club's crest includes Caucasus Mountains with a black crescent and red eight-pointed star, similar to Azerbaijani flag. It also includes 2005 which signifies the club's formation year.

Shirt sponsors and kit manufacturers

Gabala's traditional kit is composed of red shirts, black shorts and red socks. The club's first kit manufacturer was Erreà, until a two-year deal was agreed with Joma in 2013.[27][28]

In August 2012, Gabala signed a one-year deal with the American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer Pepsi, which will replace Hyundai as the shirt sponsor from the 2013–14 season.[29]

In September 2015, Gabala signed a one-year deal with QafqaZ Hotels and Resorts.[30]

On 31 January 2020, Gabala announced that dairy brand Milla would be the club's new title sponsor until the end of 2021.[31]

On 4 July 2023, Gabala announced Capelli Sport as their new kit supplier on a three-year contract.[32]

Years Manufacturer Sponsor
2009–2010 Adidas Hyundai
2010–2011 Lotto
2011–2012 Erreà
2012–2013 Pepsi
2013–2015 Joma
2015–2020 QafqaZ Hotels
2020–2021 Milla
2021–2022 Jale
2022–2023 Gilan Knauf
2023–present Capelli Sport

Stadium

The club play their home matches at the Gabala City Stadium, an all-seater football stadium situated in Qabala.

As of 2007, predominantly due to UEFA requirements, the club proposed an extensive renovation of the stadium, which has since been in constant process of redevelopment.[33] AFL Architects were appointed to design a new 15,000 capacity stadium and training facility in December 2008 after winning a limited design competition. Accommodation within the stadium will include hotel and conferencing facilities, as well as retail and corporate hospitality space, and a dramatic viewing deck at the top of the entrance tower.[34] It is expected that the stadium was scheduled to open in 2014.[35]

Supporters

Gabala has a large fanbase in relation to its comparative lack of success on the pitch. Gabala's fan base has fluctuated over the years with high crowds coinciding with the club's success in the Premier League so that the club now averages in the top four best home attendances in the country. One of the main supporters group name is Red Black Army.[36]

Honours

Players

Azerbaijani teams are limited to nine players without Azerbaijani citizenship. The squad list includes only the principal nationality of each player, several non-European players on the squad have dual citizenship with an EU country.

Current squad

As of 3 July 2025[37]

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  AZE Səlahət Ağayev
8 MF  AZE Urfan Ismayilov
10 MF  AZE Shahin Shahniyarov
11 MF  AZE Asif Mammadov
13 DF  AZE Nicat Aliyev
14 FW  CGO Domi Jaurès Massoumou
21 MF  AZE Ziya Shakarkhanov
22 FW  AZE Farid Isgandarov
26 DF  AZE Elnur Mustafayev
No. Pos. Nation Player
27 MF  AZE Eshqin Ahmadov
28 DF  AZE Murad Musayev
44 DF  AZE Salman Alasgarov
66 DF  AZE Nuqay Rashidov
74 DF  AZE Suleyman Damadayev
77 MF  AZE Okan Tahmazli
94 GK  AZE Habib Hasanov
97 FW  AZE Elshad Taghiyev
DF  GHA Isaac Amoah
FW  GHA Prince Owusu
FW  ANG Paulo Guimbila

Out 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  AZE Emil Süleymanov (at Shamakhi until 30 June 2026)
FW  AZE Mehrac Bakhshali (at Mingəçevir until 30 June 2026)

Club officials

The Board of Directors

Position Name
President Fariz Najafov
General manager Sabuhi Safiyarli[38]
Team manager Mahammad Azizli
Press secretary Asef Zeynalov

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Kakhaber Tskhadadze[39]
Assistant coach Giorgi Chikhradze
Fitness coach Chaglar Volga[40]
Video analysis coach Rakif Aliyev
Goalkeeper coach Vugar Mammadov
Under-19 head coach Famil Khalilov

Medical staff

Position Name
Doctor Fikrat Nabiyev
Assistant doctor Movsum Huseynov
Assistant doctor Farman Mammadov

Managers

Information correct as of match played 22 May 2025. Only competitive matches are counted.

Name Nat. From To P W D L GS GA %W Honours Notes
Faig Jabbarov  Azerbaijan 2005 2006 30 22 6 2 0 0 073.33 Azerbaijan First Division (1) [41]
Ramiz Mammadov  Azerbaijan 2006 May 2010 118 38 27 53 0 0 032.20 [42]
Tony Adams  England 12 May 2010 16 November 2011 44 17 15 12 45 35 038.64 [43]
Fatih Kavlak  Turkey 18 November 2011 27 September 2012 29 14 7 8 43 27 048.28 [42]
Ramiz Mammadov  Azerbaijan 24 September 2012 2 April 2013 21 8 6 7 23 22 038.10 [42]
Luis Aragon (Interim)  Spain 2 April 2013 28 May 2013 8 1 3 4 5 10 012.50 [44]
Yuri Semin  Russia 28 May 2013 23 May 2014 41 21 9 11 56 38 051.22 [45]
Dorinel Munteanu  Romania 16 June 2014 8 December 2014 18 6 5 7 20 26 033.33 [46]
Sanan Gurbanov (Interim)  Azerbaijan 8 December 2014 21 December 2014 3 1 2 0 4 3 033.33 [47]
Roman Hryhorchuk  Ukraine 21 December 2014 29 May 2018[19] 159 75 41 43 238 150 047.17 [48]
Sanan Gurbanov  Azerbaijan 30 May 2018[20] 31 August 2019[21] 40 14 9 17 37 52 035.00 Azerbaijan Cup (1)
Elmar Bakhshiyev  Azerbaijan 2 September 2019[22] 24 February 2024[23] 155 52 41 62 187 228 033.55 Azerbaijan Cup (1)
Kakhaber Tskhadadze  Georgia 25 February 2024[24] 44 25 6 13 75 37 056.82 Azerbaijan First Division (1)
  • Notes:

P – Total of played matches W – Won matches D – Drawn matches L – Lost matches GS – Goal scored GA – Goals against
%W – Percentage of matches won

Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).

Individual records

Urfan Abbasov is Gabala's most capped player, with 305 appearances for the club. Players in bold signifies current Gabala player.

Top goalscorers

As of match played 22 May 2025
Name Years League Azerbaijan Cup Europe Total
1 Victor Mendy 2011–2015 29 (112) 4 (13) 0 (2) 33 (127)
2 Dodô 2011–2016 23 (131) 3 (15) 4 (15) 30 (161)
3 Bagaliy Dabo 2016–2018 20 (43) 4 (6) 3 (13) 27 (62)
4 Filip Ozobić 2016–2018 16 (47) 6 (9) 3 (18) 25 (74)
5 Isnik Alimi 2021–2023 17 (62) 5 (10) 0 (2) 22 (74)
6 Javid Huseynov 2014–2015,
2016–2019,
2020–2021
16 (109) 2 (20) 3 (11) 21 (140)
6 Ulvi Isgandarov 2017–2024 17 (118) 4 (16) 0 (6) 21 (140)
8 Steeven Joseph-Monrose 2017– 2019 15 (47) 3 (9) 2 (6) 20 (62)
9 Danijel Subotić 2013–2014,
2017
15 (40) 4 (8) 0 (0) 19 (48)
10 Kanan Karimov 2008–2010 11 (46) 7 (?) 0 (0) 18 (45+)
10 Oleksiy Gai 2015–2016 14 (51) 4 (6) 0 (14) 18 (71)
10 James Adeniyi 2018–2021 14 (48) 4 (7) 0 (2) 18 (57)
10 Raphael Utzig 2020–2023 15 (81) 2 (11) 1 (2) 18 (94)
10 Domi Massoumou 2024–present 16 (27) 2 (2) 0 (0) 18 (29)

Most appearances

As of match played 22 May 2025
Name Years League Azerbaijan Cup Europe Total
1 Urfan Abbasov 2011–2019,
2021–2024
248 (5) 40 (1) 17 (0) 305 (6)
2 Asif Mammadov 2006–2007,
2015–Present
208 (13) 31 (3) 24 (1) 263+ (17)
3 Dmytro Bezotosnyi 2015–2019 117 (0) 17 (0) 32 (0) 166 (0)
4 Dodô 2011–2016 131 (23) 15 (3) 15 (4) 161 (30)
5 Murad Musayev 2013–2016,
2019–Present
137 (7) 19 (0) 3 (0) 159 (7)
6 Vojislav Stanković 2015–2019 92 (1) 21 (1) 29 (1) 142 (3)
7 Elvin Jamalov 2013–2019 111 (0) 18 (0) 12 (0) 141 (0)
8 Javid Huseynov 2014–2015,
2016–2019,
2020–2021
109 (16) 20 (2) 11 (3) 140 (21)
8 Ulvi Isgandarov 2017–2024 118 (17) 16 (4) 6 (0) 140 (21)
10 Victor Mendy 2011–2015 112 (29) 13 (4) 2 (0) 127 (33)

Presidential history

 
Name Years
Tale Heydarov 2005–2019
Fariz Najafov 2019–

See also

References

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  2. ^ Qəbələ İK
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