Nikola Bogdanovski injury deepens Sileks' results crisis

Published 16.09.2026 13:15 — Sileks arrive at Friday's home game against Tikves with a serious selection problem after the hamstring injury to Nikola Bogdanovski, a player who had been decisive in the club's positive start to the season.

The team from Kratovo had a promising first half against Vardar in Skopje — the score was 1:1 and Sileks carved out three opportunities to make it 1:2 — but that was followed by a "collapse" and a 4:1 defeat. Since then the results have worsened: a 0:2 loss to Shkendija, a 1:0 defeat by Struga and last weekend's 2:2 home draw with Bregalnica, when Aleksandar Vasovski's side salvaged a point.

Bogdanovski, perhaps the only genuine summer reinforcement to arrive in Kratovo from Serbia, has a troublesome hamstring injury. He is doubtful for the upcoming home match against Tikves on Friday, September 18, 2026 — a game Sileks must win if they want to remain in the running with the leading teams on the table.

How much difference does he make?

Without Bogdanovski, Sileks struggle to produce the decisive moments. He was the attacking midfielder who regularly made the difference in the early rounds, the player who could "link" the forwards and create chances. The defense has shown it can perform, but it cannot carry the team to wins on its own; goals are missing.

The gap at the top is real — Shkendija hold an eight-point advantage — but other clubs such as Vardar, Tikves and Shkendija from Arachinovo remain within reach if Sileks can put together a run of two or three victories. Until Bogdanovski returns — and while Esmir Hasukuq is still far from matching last season's Alic — finding goals will be Sileks' biggest headache.

Photo: press material from the event