Skënderbeu hold nerve to retain Albanian title

KS Skënderbeu secured their second consecutive Albanian title, and the third in their history, after securing a 3-1 derby win at neighbours KS Pogradeci.

Taking a one-point advantage into the final game, two goals from Daniel Xhafa and a penalty from captain Blendi Shkembi ensured the defending champions held off the challenge of KS Teuta, who kept up the pressure all the way with a 2-1 victory at KS Kastrioti.

Skënderbeu claimed their first title in 78 years last season but won their last two games to ensure there was the shortest possible gap between championships on this occasion.

"To win it once is hard, but to repeat the success is even harder," said club president Agim Zeqo. "We had our chances, we didn't execute it well down the final stretch," added Teuta coach Hasan Lika after his side finished runners-up.