Shkendija in crisis after draw at Čair; title lead erodes
Arachinovo draw leaves Artim Polozani’s team with 5 of 12 points in four rounds and a reduced advantage on the table.
12.10.2026 — Shkendija's stumble continued after the draw at Čair against Arachinovo, leaving Artim Polozani's side in clear trouble both results‑wise and on the pitch.
The campaign began explosively: Shkendija won five from five early in the season, beating Vardar, Sileks and Struga TL among others and building a lead that unsettled their rivals.
Rapid decline in form
Since that run, the team has dropped sharply. In the last four rounds Shkendija have taken just 5 of a possible 12 points: one win, two draws and a defeat. The sequence includes the home loss to Tikvesh (1:3), draws with Arsimi and Shkendija (A) away (2:2 and 1:1) and the solitary win over Bashkimi (4:1).
Those results erased the cushion at the top. Vardar is now only three points behind, Struga TL are likely level on 20 points, and Tikvesh sit four points adrift — figures that make the title race far tighter than it looked a month ago.
The club must urgently identify the causes of the drop — tactical issues, personnel form or other problems — because Shkendija do not compete in the national cup and the championship remains their only route to silverware this season.
It is still early in the campaign — this was just the first of four phases — but unless form improves quickly, this could become another season without the title for the Tetovo club.
Photo: press material from the event
