NK Celje have qualified for the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League after eliminating Kosovo champions FC Drita. It marks the second consecutive season that the Slovenian club has reached this stage of Europe’s third tier competition.
Following the recent departure of coach Albert Riera, Celje first secured a 3-2 away victory in Prishtina before repeating the same scoreline at home on 27 February in front of around 4200 fans. Svit Sešlar opened the scoring in the 19th minute, while Darko Hrka quickly doubled the advantage. Drita responded through Blerim Krasniqi, but Sešlar added his second from the penalty spot before halftime to give the hosts control.
The visitors reduced the deficit early in the second half through Albert Dabiqaj, yet Celje held firm to complete a 6-4 aggregate triumph. Head coach Ivan Mayewski praised his team’s attacking display and said the club remains on track for another historic European campaign.
NK Celje will face Greece’s AEK Athens in the next round. The first leg will be played in Slovenia on 12 March, while the return match is scheduled for 19 March in Athens, where the Slovenian club will look to secure a historic place in the quarter finals.
