2025–26 Gabala FK season

Gabala
2025–26 season
PresidentFariz Najafov
ManagerKakhaber Tskhadadze
StadiumCity Stadium
Premier League10th
Azerbaijan CupLast 16
Top goalscorerLeague: Three Players (2)
All: Prince Owusu (6)
Highest home attendance1,000
(vs Zira,
25 August 2025)
Lowest home attendance150
(vs Kapaz,
20 September 2025)
Average home league attendance525

The 2025–26 season is Gabala FK's 21st season, and their 1st season back in the Azerbaijan Premier League, after being relegated to the Azerbaijan First Division at the end of the 2023–24 season.

Season overview

On 3 July, Gabala announced that Ghanaian left winger Prince Owusu had been promoted from Gabala's U19 team, signing a three-year contract.[1]

On 4 July, Gabala announced the signing of Isaac Amoah from Atlético Sanluqueño, to a one-year contract with the option of a second.[2]

On 5 July, Gabala announced the signing of Paulo Guimbila from Al Ahli, to a three-year contract.[3]

On 12 July, Gabala announced the signing of Adriel Ba Loua from Caen, to a one-year contract.[4]

On 30 July, Gabala announced that Urfan Ismayilov had left the club after his contract was ended by mutual agreement.[5]

On 4 August, Gabala announced the signing of Eduardo Kunde, who'd most recently played for Persis Solo, to a one-year contract with the option of an additional year. Later the same day, Gabala announced the signing of Ibrahim Sangaré from Hapoel Hadera, to a one-year contract.[6][7]

On 5 August, Gabala announced that Abdullahi Shuaibu had left the club after the optional year on his contract was not taken up by the club.[8]

On 10 August, Gabala announced the signing of Jaime Sierra from NK Varaždin, to a two-year contract.[9]

On 11 August, Gabala announced the signing of Salihu Nasiru from El-Kanemi Warriors, to a three-year contract.[10]

On 10 September, Gabala announced the signing of Jeando Fuchs to a one-year contract after he'd left Bnei Sakhni, and the year-long loan signing of Rufat Ahmadov from Turan Tovuz.[11][12]

Squad

As of match played 14 December 2025
No. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (Age) Signed from Signed in Contract ends Apps. Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Səlahət Ağayev GK (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 Sabail 2024[13] 75 0
94 Habib Hushanov GK (2007-10-16) 16 October 2007 Academy 2023 4 0
Defenders
3 Eduardo Kunde DF (1997-09-17) 17 September 1997 Unattached 2025[6] 2026(+1)[6] 13 0
7 Rufat Ahmadov DF (2002-09-22) 22 September 2002 on loan from Turan Tovuz 2025[12] 2026[12] 34 0
13 Nicat Aliyev DF (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 Sumgayit 2022 66 5
16 Isaac Amoah DF (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 Atlético Sanluqueño 2025[2] 2026 (+1)[2] 15 0
26 Elnur Mustafayev DF (2006-03-11) 11 March 2006 Academy 2024 3 0
28 Murad Musayev DF (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 Zira 2019 172 7
44 Salman Alasgarov DF (2001-06-09) 9 June 2001 Shamakhi 2024[14] 2026[14] 9 2
66 Nuqay Rashidov DF (2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 Unattached 2023 36 2
74 Suleyman Damadayev DF (2003-03-01) 1 March 2003 Shamakhi 2024 41 0
Midfielders
6 Jaime Sierra MF (1998-03-18) 18 March 1998 NK Varaždin 2025[9] 2027[9] 16 0
10 Shahin Shahniyarov MF (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 Academy 2023 53 3
11 Asif Mammadov MF (1986-08-05) 5 August 1986 Inter Baku 2015 263 17
17 Qadir Ramazanov MF (2006-04-25) 25 April 2006 Academy 2025 1 0
21 Ziya Shakarkhanov MF (2007-07-26) 26 July 2007 Academy 2024 9 0
27 Eshqin Ahmadov MF (2005-11-06) 6 November 2005 Academy 2023 24 1
42 Jeando Fuchs MF (1997-10-11) 11 October 1997 Unattached 2025[11] 2026[11] 4 0
50 Adriel Ba Loua MF (1996-07-25) 25 July 1996 Caen 2025[4] 2026[4] 16 3
77 Okan Tahmazli MF (2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 Academy 2023 2 0
Salihu Nasiru MF (2006-10-01) 1 October 2006 El-Kanemi Warriors 2025[10] 2028[10] 0 0
Forwards
12 Ibrahim Sangaré FW (1994-03-15) 15 March 1994 Hapoel Hadera 2025[7] 2026[7] 13 3
14 Domi Massoumou FW (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 CSMD Diables Noirs 2024[15] 2026[15] 45 21
22 Farid Isgandarov FW (2001-03-16) 16 March 2001 Neftçi 2023 34 1
30 Prince Owusu FW (2006-01-27) 27 January 2006 Academy 2025[1] 2028[1] 14 6
70 Paulo Guimbila FW (2005-10-09) 9 October 2005 Al Ahli 2025[3] 2028[3] 9 0
97 Elshad Taghiyev FW (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 Shamakhi 2024[16] 2025 (+1)[16] 38 9
Out on loan
6 Emil Süleymanov MF (2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 Academy 2023 27 0
23 Mehrac Bakhshali FW (2003-06-11) 11 June 2003 Academy 2022 22 1
71 Senan Ağalarov FW (2005-05-12) 12 May 2005 Academy 2023 1 0
Left during the season
8 Urfan Ismayilov MF (1996-05-17) 17 May 1996 Qaradağ Lökbatan 2024[17] 2026[17] 27 1
19 Abdullahi Shuaibu FW (2002-01-22) 22 January 2002 Unattached 2024[18] 2025 (+1)[18] 29 8

Transfers

In

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
3 July 2025 FW Prince Owusu Gabala U19 Promoted [1]
4 July 2025 DF Isaac Amoah Atlético Sanluqueño Undisclosed [2]
5 July 2025 FW Paulo Guimbila Al Ahli Undisclosed [3]
12 July 2025 MF Adriel Ba Loua Caen Undisclosed [4]
4 August 2025 DF Eduardo Kunde Unattached Free [6]
4 August 2025 FW Ibrahim Sangaré Hapoel Hadera Undisclosed [7]
10 August 2025 MF Jaime Sierra NK Varaždin Undisclosed [9]
11 August 2025 MF Salihu Nasiru El-Kanemi Warriors Undisclosed [10]
10 September 2025 MF Jeando Fuchs Unattached Free [11]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
10 September 2025 DF Rufat Ahmadov Turan Tovuz End of season [12]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
31 January 2025 FW Mehrac Bakhshali Mingəçevir 30 June 2026 [19]
28 July 2025 FW Senan Ağalarov Baku Sporting 30 June 2026 [20]

Released

Date Position Nationality Name Joined Date Ref
27 June 2025 DF Elvin Yunuszade Karvan 25 July 2025 [21][22]
30 July 2025 MF Urfan Ismayilov Safa [5]
5 August 2025 FW Abdullahi Shuaibu Shamakhi [8]

Friendlies

14 July 2025 Gabala 2–1 Shamakhi Qabala
18:00 AZT (UTC+4) Shakarkhanov
Alasgarov
Report Stadium: City Stadium
21 July 2025 Gabala 2–0 Kapaz Qabala
18:00 AZT (UTC+4) Guimbila 72'
Massoumou 82'
Report Stadium: City Stadium
27 July 2025 Gabala 1–0 Sumgayit Qabala
18:00 AZT (UTC+4) Massoumou 70' Report Stadium: City Stadium
7 August 2025 Gabala 2–2 Sumgayit Qabala
18:00 AZT (UTC+4) Musayev
Sangaré
Report
Stadium: City Stadium
21 August 2025 Gabala 3–0 MOIK Baku Qabala
AZT (UTC+4) Amoah
Massoumou
Taghiyev
Report Stadium: City Stadium

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Premier League 15 August 2025 2026 Matchday 1 14 2 2 10 10 19 −9 014.29
Azerbaijan Cup 29 October 2025 Second Round 2 2 0 0 7 2 +5 100.00
Total 16 4 2 10 17 21 −4 025.00

Last updated: 14 December 2025
Source: Competitions

Premier League

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
8 Shamakhi 15 5 5 5 18 16 +2 20
9 Imishli 16 5 5 6 15 16 −1 20
10 Kapaz 16 3 0 13 11 39 −28 9
11 Gabala 14 2 2 10 10 19 −9 8 Qualification to Relegation Play-off
12 Karvan 16 1 3 12 12 34 −22 6 Relegation to Azerbaijan First Division
Updated to match(es) played on 20 December 2025. Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Head-to-head points; 6) Head-to-head goal difference; 7) Lower number of points based on yellow and red cards; 8) Draw.[23]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
14 2 2 10 10 19  −9 8 2 0 4 6 8  −2 0 2 6 4 11  −7

Last updated: 14 December 2025.
Source: See Results

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415
GroundAHAAHAHAHAHAHHA
ResultDLLLWLLDLLLLWPL
Position4811111011111010101011101011
Updated to match(es) played on 14 December 2025. Source: See Results
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Results

15 August 2025 1 Karvan 1–1 Gabala Shamakhi
17:00 AZT (UTC+4) Musayev 78' (o.g.) Report Owusu  40'
Massoumou 54'
Amoah  74'
Sangaré  77'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev
25 August 2025 2 Gabala 1–2 Zira Qabala
19:00 AZT (UTC+4) Aliyev 17'
Shahniyarov  46'
Rashidov  90+2'
Sierra  90+5'
Report Renato  22'
Nuriyev 32', 45+1'
Papunashvili  70'
Gomis  90+5'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: İnqilab Məmmədov
30 August 2025 3 Araz-Naxçıvan 2–1 Gabala Baku
20:30 AZT (UTC+4) Simakala 30'
Santos 33'
Andrade  45'
Report Rashidov  4'
Ba Loua 9'
Sangaré  12'
Damadayev  21'
Stadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 100
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev
13 September 2025 4 Turan Tovuz 1–0 Gabala Tovuz
19:00 AZT (UTC+4) Souza 54' Report Kunde  64' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Cavid Cəlilov
20 September 2025 5 Gabala 3–0 Kapaz Qabala
17:00 AZT (UTC+4) Kunde  28'
Ba Loua 44'
Owusu 59', 67'  82'
Report Abilov  90+1' Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 150
Referee: Kamal Umudlu
26 September 2025 6 Qarabağ 2–0 Gabala Baku
19:00 AZT (UTC+4) Zoubir 16'
Silva  43'
Qurbanlı 90+3'
Report Owusu  1'
Massoumou  42'
Stadium: Azersun Arena
Attendance: 860
Referee: Rauf Cabarov
5 October 2025 7 Gabala 0–1 Şamaxı Qabala
17:30 AZT (UTC+4) Aliyev  32'
Musayev  90+3'
Amoah  90+3'
Report Apolinario 8' (pen.)
Balau  11'
Mammadov  74'
Agjabayov  90+1'
Rossi  90+1'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 400
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev
18 October 2025 8 İmişli 2–2 Gabala Baku
14:30 AZT (UTC+4) Ronaldo  14' 74'
Almeida 80'
Report Musayev  31'
Massoumou 44'
Sangaré 47'
Kunde  61'
Aliyev  73'
Ağayev  86'
Stadium: Lökbatan Olympic Sport Complex Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: İnqilab Məmmədov
26 October 2025 9 Gabala 0–2 Neftçi Qabala
16:00 AZT (UTC+4) Report Kuč  40'
Camalov  42'
Mathew 72'
Aboubakar 81'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 600
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev
3 November 2025 10 Sabah 1–0 Gabala Masazir
19:30 AZT (UTC+4) Seydiyev  19'
Solvet 28'
Rakhmonaliev  73'
Report Mammadov  HT' Stadium: Bank Respublika Arena
Attendance: 600
Referee: Fərid Hacıyev
7 November 2025 11 Gabala 0–2 Sumgayit Qabala
16:44 AZT (UTC+4) Ba Loua  6'
Sierra  65'
Report Moumini  9'
Vásquez  13'
Ramalingom 55' 82'
Akhmedzade 55'
Ninković  65'
Pinto  85'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 300
Referee: Rəşad Əhmədov
22 November 2025 12 Zira 1–0 Gabala Zirə
17:30 AZT (UTC+4) Júnior  42'
Renato 45+3' (pen.)
Alıyev  53'
Acka  69'
Report Mammadov  18'
Sangaré 29'
Ba Loua  63'
Amoah  72'
Stadium: Zira Olympic Sport Complex Stadium
Attendance: 800
Referee: Elvin Bayramov
30 November 2025 13 Gabala 2–1 Araz-Naxçıvan Qabala
16:30 AZT (UTC+4) Owusu 15'
Musayev  39'  90+4'
Ba Loua 59'
Ağayev  78'
Report Hasanalizade  28' 34'
Andrade  57'
Simakala  73'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 700
Referee: Kamal Umudlu
8 December 2025 14 Gabala Turan Tovuz Qabala
17:00 AZT (UTC+4) Stadium: City Stadium
Note: Match was abandoned in the 24th minute due to heavy fog.[24]
14 December 2025 15 Kapaz 1–0 Gabala Yevlakh
14:00 AZT (UTC+4) Onanuga  34'
Ohori 54'
Pachu  56'
Seyidov  71'
Samadov  77'
Report Sangaré  36'
Sierra  70'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 700
Referee: Rəvan Həmzəzadə
21 December 2025 16 Gabala Qarabağ Qabala
15:00 AZT (UTC+4) Stadium: City Stadium

Azerbaijan Cup

29 October 2025 Second round Gabala 5–1 Mingəçevir Qabala
16:00 AZT (UTC+4) Massoumou 45'
Owusu 49', 54', 63'
Rashidov 66'
Sierra  67'
Amoah  90+2'
Report Cəfərli  56'
Attuquaye 57'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 200
Referee: İslam Məmmədov
4 December 2025 Last 16 Gabala 2–1 Safa Qabala
15:00 AZT (UTC+4) Sangaré 2', 53' Report Zamanov 6'
Mürsəlov  90+2'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Əli Əliyev
2026 Quarter-final 1st leg Sabah Gabala Masazir
AZT (UTC+4) Stadium: Bank Respublika Arena
2026 Quarter-final 2nd leg Gabala
( agg.)
Sabah Qabala
AZT (UTC+4) Stadium: City Stadium

Squad statistics

As of match played 14 December 2025

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player Total Premier League Azerbaijan Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK  AZE Səlahət Ağayev 15 0 14 0 1 0
3 DF  BRA Eduardo Kunde 13 0 10+1 0 2 0
6 MF  ESP Jaime Sierra 16 0 14 0 2 0
7 DF  AZE Rufat Ahmadov 4 0 0+4 0 0 0
10 MF  AZE Shahin Shahniyarov 16 0 13+1 0 1+1 0
12 FW  FRA Ibrahim Sangaré 13 3 7+5 1 1 2
13 DF  AZE Nicat Aliyev 16 1 14 1 2 0
14 FW  CGO Domi Massoumou 16 3 14 2 2 1
16 DF  GHA Isaac Amoah 15 0 12+1 0 2 0
17 MF  AZE Qadir Ramazanov 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
21 MF  AZE Ziya Shakarkhanov 3 0 0+1 0 0+2 0
22 FW  AZE Farid Isgandarov 15 0 0+13 0 0+2 0
27 MF  AZE Eshqin Ahmadov 13 0 9+4 0 0 0
28 DF  AZE Murad Musayev 13 0 10+1 0 2 0
30 FW  GHA Prince Owusu 14 6 7+5 3 2 3
42 MF  CMR Jeando Fuchs 4 0 3 0 1 0
50 FW  CIV Adriel Ba Loua 16 3 14 3 1+1 0
66 DF  AZE Nuqay Rashidov 11 1 3+6 0 2 1
70 FW  ANG Paulo Guimbila 9 0 0+9 0 0 0
74 DF  AZE Suleyman Damadayev 13 0 10+1 0 0+2 0
94 GK  AZE Habib Hushanov 1 0 0 0 1 0
97 FW  AZE Elshad Taghiyev 10 0 0+8 0 0+2 0
Players away on loan:
Players who left Gabala during the season:

Goal scorers

Place Position Nation Number Name Premier League Azerbaijan Cup Total
1 FW 30 Prince Owusu 3 3 6
2 MF 50 Adriel Ba Loua 3 0 3
FW 14 Domi Massoumou 2 1 3
FW 12 Ibrahim Sangaré 1 2 3
5 DF 13 Nicat Aliyev 1 0 1
DF 66 Nuqay Rashidov 0 1 1
TOTALS 10 7 17

Clean sheets

Place Position Nation Number Name Premier League Azerbaijan Cup Total
1 FW 1 Səlahət Ağayev 1 0 1
TOTALS 1 0 1

Disciplinary record

Number Nation Position Name Premier League Azerbaijan Cup Total
1 GK Səlahət Ağayev 2 0 0 0 2 0
3 DF Eduardo Kunde 3 0 0 0 3 0
6 MF Jaime Sierra 3 0 1 0 4 0
10 MF Shahin Shahniyarov 1 0 0 0 1 0
11 MF Asif Mammadov 2 0 0 0 2 0
12 FW Ibrahim Sangaré 2 1 0 0 2 1
13 DF Nicat Aliyev 2 0 0 0 2 0
14 FW Domi Massoumou 1 0 0 0 1 0
16 DF Isaac Amoah 3 0 1 0 4 0
28 DF Murad Musayev 4 1 0 0 4 1
30 FW Prince Owusu 2 1 0 0 2 1
50 MF Adriel Ba Loua 2 0 0 0 2 0
66 DF Nuqay Rashidov 2 0 0 0 2 0
74 DF Suleyman Damadayev 1 0 0 0 1 0
Players away on loan:
Players who left Gabala during the season:
TOTALS 30 3 2 0 32 3

References

  1. ^ a b c d ""Qəbələ"də 3 illik müqavilə". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d ""Qəbələ"də yeni müdafiəçi". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Paulo Quimbila "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Adriel Ba Loua "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC Instagram. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b ""Qəbələ" Urfan İsmayılovla yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
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  9. ^ a b c d "Xayme Syerra "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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  12. ^ a b c d "Rüfət Əhmədov "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Səlahət Ağayev "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Ələsgərov "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Konqo millisinin futbolçusu "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b ""Qəbələ"də yeni hücumçu". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  17. ^ a b "İsmayılov "Qəbələ"də". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  18. ^ a b ""Qəbələ"də yeni müqavilə". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  19. ^ ""Qəbələ" iki futbolçu ilə yollarını ayırdı, birini icarəyə verdi". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  20. ^ "Komandamız hücumçu Sənan Ağalarovla güclənib". instagram.com/bakusporting_fc/?hl=en (in Azerbaijani). Baku Sporting Instagram. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  21. ^ ""Qəbələ" Elvin Yunuszadə ilə yollarını ayırdı". gabalafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Gabala SC. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  22. ^ "Xoş gəldin Elvin Yunuszadə". instagram.com/karvanfkofficial (in Azerbaijani). Karvan FK Instagram. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
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  24. ^ "Information of the Professional Football League". pfl.az. Azərbaycan Peşəkar Liqası. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.