Muharem Bajrami was among the goalscorers as FK Renova secured a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League with a 3-1 win over Rabotnicki in the Macedonian Cup Final.
Despite this being their maiden appearance in the cup final, Renova showed no sign of nerves and took the lead on 12 minutes through Muharem Bajrami, who headed in Argjent Gafuri’s corner from close range. Rabotnicki levelled the score on 53 minutes, but Renova regained the lead through Dusan Simovski. Gafuri put the seal on his side’s maiden cup triumph with a solo effort deep into added time.
Renova’s victory earns them a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League, while 2008 and 2009 Cup winners Rabotnicki will miss out on UEFA competition for the first time in eight years.
Bajrami moved to Renova in 2009 and his time at the club over the last three seasons has coincided with the most successful period in the club’s history. In 2009-2010 the club became League Champion and played in the UEFA Champions’ League eliminated by Omonia Nicosia. The following season the team finished third and qualified for the Europa League. Winning the Cup this season crowns a very successful season for Muharem Bajrami. He is once again among the league’s top goalscorers with 15 goals in 34 league and cup games including his goal in the UEFA Europa League earlier in the season. This is an outstanding goalscoring ratio especially as he has been used mainly as a midfielder this season. There are five more league games still to be played so Bajrami has the opportunity to add to his tally.
The 26-year-old will have a big decision to make this summer when he will be a free agent and there has already been interest from clubs in other countries. Will he extend his stay at Renova or will he be snapped-up by another club? There is also the question of whether his performances will earn him a recall to the national team where the competition for places under former Real Madrid Manager, John Toshack, is fierce.