From UVIL ZAJMI
Memorie.al / Born in 1953, with a career that started in childhood, playing with friends from the “Punêtore” neighborhood in the old field of the stone city of Gjirokastra. His talent was recognized in the eighth grade at the “29 November” school, but little Braho had no desire and rejected the interest, even wanting to play basketball more. Meanwhile, the family, not having a sports tradition, did not prevent him from playing sports. Not very tall, thin and with a characteristic physique, were the coaches Zisi Çabeli and Foto Xhai, who project the future. Initially, they activate him with the youth, as a winger, to transfer him to the first team of “Warrior” with coach Xhain. It is the year 1970, he is very young, only 17 years old, and there he will find K. Caron, K. Zilen, Cesk Ndoja, I. Brahon, M. Kurti. This is where his career would begin. Two years with “Luftëtar”, then the transfer to Tirana…! At “Partizani” and the debut against “Warrior” Braho came to the long-awaited “Partizan”, but in reality he wanted to stay in Gjirokastër, near his family. It was the forced military service, which would transfer him to the capital, to the famous club, where as coaches he finds Kolec Kraja, Ilia Shuke, but also caliber footballers, with Panajot Panon at the head. He returns to Gjirokastër, but now as a player of “Partizan”, in the first official meeting. It is September 1970 and the opponent would be his team. The result is very deep: “Warrior” – “Partizan”, 0-6. There is no more bitter debut.
Voluntary departure from the “Partizani” Club!
The famous Gjirokastrite, the only one who willingly left “Partizan”, Sefedin Braho, the Albanian “arrow” who refused a million dollars from Sëltik How did one of the fastest players in history escape punishment by the Party…?! Two years and not a day more. This was the two-year time limit of Braho’s stay at the red club. Sefedin Braho is the only footballer who, like no other, came, played and left “Partizani” by his own will. While everyone dreamed of playing and staying with the military club, as a player’s fame and career could very well start from this club, for Braho, the opposite was true.
The connection with the family, not adapting to the environment in the capital, returning to the former club of his hometown where Bahri finds Ishka and Kokalari as coaches, are some of the reasons. When his departure was prepared, it seemed somewhat unbelievable that Braho would leave “Partizan”. But just as he came without a fuss, so he left. No attempt by the major military of that time to keep him with “Partizan”. But this team would not forget him and would call him as reinforcement, in several international meetings, years later.
The first and only red card
Played in Vlora, championship match. Braho is the captain of the Girokastri team. The referee of the match is Tef Prela from Shkodra. The second half is played and the score is 1-1. A serious intervention against Braho was accompanied by his harsh reaction. As rarely. Even though he was a systematic victim of severe interventions by his opponents, he did not react. But, in Vlora, he could not resist and remain silent.
And, from referee Prela’s pocket, the red card immediately came out to him. It was the first, but also the last. The match ended 4-1 for “Flamurtari”, who won against “Luftari” remaining with ten footballers on the field. This was and remains the only punishment he received, as it was a symbol of the game and correct behavior.
In the National from Alla to Konçi
Nine games and one goal with the National Team. This is the balance of Braho, with the red and black jersey. He played when he was with “Partizan”, but also when he played with “Warrior”. Taken by Myslym Alla in the match of May 6, 1973 in Tirana, against Romania, 1-4. Then with Ilia Shuke, in the two following meetings: with Finland 1-0 and the German Democratic Republic, 1-4 and, after seven years, together with the return of Albanian football to European competitions, Braho also returns to the representative team.
Four meetings with coach Zyber Konçi, even in Tirana against Finland in 1980, he scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory. And, the last meeting was in 1980, in Tirana against Austria 0-1. With the clubs, he was one of the football players taken as reinforcement in several meetings. Those of “Partizan”, “Sëltik”, “Rijeka” and “Malmo” stand out. However, “Dinamo” of Tirana also received it when they played against “Aberdeen”, at the time when Bahri Ishka was the coach.
The “Kuper” test, what a problem for Braho?!
The tests have been a big problem for Braho, as he has never completed them. On the eve of every football season, the AFL organized physical tests for every team participating in the First Category. They included speed races, some technical norms and at the end, the “Kuper” test was programmed: 12 minutes of running and the rate of completion was at least 3,200 meters. There were footballers who made up to 4,200 meters, but in general, everyone suffered in this test. Braho was one of them.
He only did the first lap, or even the second, and didn’t continue. A psychological issue held him back and he left the race. According to a rule of the AFL, the one who did not complete the tests, did not play in the championship, until a second test. Only for Braho, an exception has been made. For him, the AFL, the sports community, tolerated. An athlete like him could not be punished for such a test. For others, no privilege has been made, in any case.
The fastest footballer in Albania
Sefedin Braho can be the fastest football player of the Albanian championships over the years. With such a start and sprint, they have rarely seen football tracks and fields. A natural speed, a skill that has amazed everyone. Speed combined with the ball in motion, dribbling, were the qualities that characterized him in his individuality. In physical tests, he achieved record times in short distance races, ideal and admirable for a high-level athlete. And when you consider that the measurements were made with a wristwatch, maybe the time would be different.
Braho and Hitaj, when the Party tried to punish them
November of 1981. It was played at the “Subi Bakiri” stadium, in Gjirokastra, where 8,000 spectators were present, divided into two parts: half of the stadium, fans of “Luftar” and the rest of “Partizan”. Great tension and rivalry on the field, but also on the ladder. The first half, the score 0-0, Braho has been covered harshly and has not had the expected performance, even in some cases, he has been insulted by the local fans. During the break, climbing the stairs to the dressing room, revolted, he asks coach Hitaj to replace him.
Knowing the temperament well, and while he is making the substitution, a senior party leader enters the room. He turns to Braho and, in a fierce debate between them, tries to convince him to return to the field. Sefedin, revolted, puts his hands on his chest and even pushes him. This moment and this behavior is enough to become a problem in the Party Committee. The next day, in an analysis of the team, leaders and officials of the local government are also present.
An analysis, where football was not talked about, but about the matter in question “about Braho’s behavior towards the official”. On Tuesday, coach Hitaj and Braho are in the corridor of the Party Committee, awaiting the punishment, which would be accompanied by work on the agricultural farm. But, a benevolent order from Tirana canceled everything. It was about Sefed Braho, to whom the Party Committee also stopped and stepped. They should have apologized to him for the insults they gave him, not accuse him or even think about sending him to the farm as a punishment.
Friendship with Xhafa and accusations about the missed penalty!
Rare, but it happened to him. How balanced he was on the field, how much injustice, interference he endured, but he had a very special, explosive moment. In Gjirokastër, great rivalry “Luftëtari” – “Flamurtari”. Braho and Uran Xhafa, once soldiers in “Partizani”, as at that time and today, maintain a valuable friendship. An 11-meter is given, for “Luftëtar”, Braho shoots, the ball ends up outside.
The irritated fans accuse him of losing it on purpose, influenced by his friendship with Xhafa. Braho, tense, endures and waits for the end of the first half, to explode in the second. Irresistible, can only be defeated by the Vlonjats. From 0-1 to 2-1 and the two goals were the product of his game. In Gjirokastra, they had never seen it explode in that way.
Braho-Kalluci-Seiti, the “killers” of the giants
It has been one of the most dangerous offensive lines in the years they have played together. The “warrior” of coach Hito Hitaj, but in particular, the trio; Braho-Kalluci-Seiti, have shocked even the strongest defenses of the time. And, the symbol of that team for those years, was the attacking trio. They played together for more than a decade, from 1975-1988. Kalluci was first in the team, then Braho and the last one who joined them, Seiti. Runner-up in the 1977 season, after the dramatic 0-0 draw, with “Shkëndi” of the Higher Institute of Physical Culture “Vojo Kushi” of Tirana, in “Subi Bakiri”. The referee of the match, Arsen Hoxha, awarded an 11-meter penalty for the traveling team, but Seiti, the “Spark” defender, hit the crossbar without being able to score.
Spectacular goals and memorable injuries
Goals: There are several, but the ones realized in Tirana, against “Dinamo”, when “Luftëtari” won 3-2 and Braho scored the first goal, after dribbling 4 opponents, stand out. But against “Dinamo”, in 1977, “Warrior” wins 5-2, while “Dinamo” was ahead 2-1 in the first half. Braho was the protagonist of the great reversal, when he received an 11-meter awarded by referee Astrit Canaj, giving his team a 3-2 advantage.
Injuries that kept him out of the game for some time
It is the 1978-’79 season and in Gjirokastër, the meeting “Luftëtari” – “Dinamo” is played, 0-1. “Warrior” is at the top of the classification and the second phase has just started. Only 30 seconds of the game were played and a very serious intervention against him caused a fracture, which removed him from football fields for four months. In Lezha, in the 1973-’74 season, “Covenant” – “Partizani” was played. A blow to the jaw, resulting in a severe fracture and immediately to the Military Hospital. 15 days in a difficult condition, unable to move his head, being fed through a dropper.
A life with sports, only an apartment and rejected dollars…!
Just a simple apartment, with two rooms and a kitchen, given by the Executive Committee of the district of Gjirokastra, a pesoria and reduced hours, and that’s it. Very respected and honored by everyone, wherever he played. A long career and an incalculable contribution, but like all that generation, he was punished by the system. Wanted and preferred by many sports clubs, although the offer of “Sëltik” from Glasgow, Scotland remains special.
After the match in Tirana, received as reinforcement by “Partizani”, during the banquet at the hotel “Dajti” after the match, the president of Sëltik asks coach Birçe to talk to Braho. He had identified a very quality footballer and with the idea of taking him to Scotland, he made an offer of 1 million dollars. But it was only an offer, which remained a secret or a dream not told to anyone, for the risk it carried, for him and coach Birçe.
When the politician offered him the job at Kakavija customs and he refused…!
It was election campaign time. It is after the 90s. One of the politicians of the time, a connoisseur and lover of sports, offers Sefedin Brahos a very tempting proposal: For his participation in the electoral campaign with democratic sympathizers, Brahos would be offered a job at the Kakavija customs office. And who would not accept this proposal? A place so desired by all Albanians…! Of course, Braho was not used to such a “conversion”. For those who know him, there is no doubt that Braho has rejected the proposal. He was and remains the Braho of the field, honest, sincere, without seeking to benefit from yesterday’s or today’s politics.
Far and near football
After he broke away from football, he stayed for several years in assistance, but since 1995, Braho has served for many years as an inspector of the “Warrior” Sports Club. He did not prefer to be a coach, but always in the role of administrator, he stayed on the bench with the team. Of the two sons, only the elder continued on his way, attacking, but without being able to achieve his fame.
You could find Brahon every day at the stadium and, of course, he was not absent from any “Warrior” match. He has remained simple, very modest, like when he was playing. He talks a little about himself, but it is up to the opinion, the specialists, to define and evaluate, who say that: “Sefedin Braho, has been and remains one of the great talents of our football”. Memorie.al
