Sefedin Braho (1953 – 2024) | “The Thunderbolt-Lightning” of Albanian Football!

Sefedin Braho (18 August 1953 – 6 October 2024)
Played forward, striker for Luftëtari and Partizani!
Lightning-fast, explosive, rapid, blistering, whirlwind, quick, agile, high-speed, electrifying, rapid-fire; These are just some of the epithets that can be attached to this high-class player!

He was undoubtedly the fastest player in Albanian football. In the sprint with the ball, Sefedin Braho looked like rocket, explosive, skilled in maneuvering and like a whirlwind with his dizzying technique. Although not tall, he was characterized as an attacker equipped not only with speed, but also technically dangerous and with scoring ability.

Born in Gjirokaster on August 18, 1953, from a family that has nothing to do with sports. Although it is noticeable that at school age, appearing as a talent, he ignores it and has no plans to enter the career of a football player until the age of 15-16 years when, with the persistence of the coaches at the time, Cabeli and Xhai , is activated with the youth of Luftetari, as a wing attacker.

The number 9, Sefedin Braho, the 17-year-old boy becomes part of the first team, Luftetari, in the offensive line, with the characteristic blue and black stripes jersey. At the end of the 1969-1970 season, he will be activated in the first starting formation of Luftetari, becoming not only one of the main players of the team but also the most talented player of the Albanian championship.

We must point out that in Albania at the time, being part of the eastern bloc countries, military service was mandatory for everyone from the age of +17, regardless of any reason, with the exception of university students, the others need it for two or more years to be used for the defense of the homeland!

For most of the football players, the destination of military service is K.S Partizani (born as a representative of the People’s Army).

Thus, in 1970, the 17-year-old Braho, in opposition to leaving his “Luftetari” team, wears the red shirts of the great Partisan in whose ranks he will find the goalkeeper, Bashkim Muhedini, the high stature defender Safet Berisha, the midfielders, Sabah Bizi, Lin Shllaku, Gjergji Thaka, Uran Xhafa, Dhori Kalluci, attackers Agim Janku and the football virtuoso, 34-year-old Panajot Pano. The Coach is the great Loro Borici. Braho is an added strength of the red team who has 3-4 Shkodra players in his squad, include the famous Borici as a coach who has played for this team many years. 

Ironically, Braho will make his debut with Partizani in September 1970, precisely in Gjirokaster against “Luftetari”. Partizan gets a heavy win, 6-0, and for the 17-year-old boy it is a bitter meeting, even though he played in the ranks of the winners. At the end of the 1970-1971 season, Partizan will win the title of Champion and Braho, who has given his contribution, is in the ranks of the team as an Albanian Champion.

Many players from the other Albanian Clubs dreamed of becoming part of the Partizan team, who even wanted to stay where they could be given the opportunity to make a career with this great club, but this makes an exception for the striker Braho, who will leave at his will of immediately after two years of military service. His close relationship with family, but also his incompatibility with Tirana, made him return to Gjirokaster. And that’s how it happened, without any attempt by a ny of major military to keep it with “Partizani”.
However, S. Braho will return to “Partizani” as a reinforcement in several international matches at the beginning of the 80-s, in one of them precisely against Celtic of Glasgow in Tirana where Partizan would win that match 1-0, with Murati’s goal. Apparently, Braho’s excellent performance caught the eye in that match and it is even said that the management staff of the Scottish team offered a staggering amount for the fast Girokastrian striker to make him part of their club.

This is not the unique case. There were often offers from foreigners for our players, but in Albania of the Socialist era it was forbidden by law to have any type of sportsman, or footballer in our case, contract with foreign clubs. Therefore, in this case, we cannot surely say about the rejection of the player, but rather the penalty offered by time.

Then from 1972 to 1988, S. Braho will wear the Luftetari shirt without interruption, standing out for his excellent form with the team of his city. One of our best players who stood out in the National Championship and Cups. Although with a small stature, he stands out as a player equipped with speed and technique, making Sefedin Braho to be called several times with the representative teams.

Albanian National Team against DDR in a Qualifying`s Match.

Thus, from 1972-1976, he will play 4 matches for “Shpresat” U23.

In the years 1983-1984, he will play 2 matches with “Shpresat” U21.

Meanwhile, with the National Team (Kombetarja) from 1973 to 1983, he will play 9 matches, even scoring a goal.

Specifically, in 1973, he played 3 matches; in 1980, which was more or less the most successful year for him, he played in 4 matches where he scored a goal, while in 1981 and 1983 he played a single match.

Braho will make his debut on May 6, 1973, in the Qualifying’s for the World Cup against Romania in Tirana. Albania lost that match 1-4. (The only goal was scored by Bizi in min. 87`). Our team, under the direction of coach Myslym Alla, took to the field with this formation: Rama (Muhedini), Gjika, Berisha, Sejdini, Ibershimi, Xhafa, Rragami, Pernaska (Xhafa), Bizi, Pano, Braho.

Meanwhile, the last match with the National Team, for the Eliminators of the European Championship, took place on June 8, 1983, against Austria, a match that Albania lost 1-2. Both coaches, Sh. Rreli and R. Rragami presented on the field for this game the 11 team as follow : P. Musta, P. Ruci, M. Targaj, A. Hametaj, A. Bimo, F. Rragami, L. Vukatana, I. Lame, P. Xhaho (A. Marko 69), A. Minga (M. Kercici 54), S. Braho!

The only goal that Braho scored with the National team will be the one in the 2nd minute against Finland, a match won 2-0, valid for the World Championship Eliminators, held in Tirana on September 3, 1980.
Our team that scored the two goals victory for the first 18′ (2′ Braho; 18′ Baci), under the direction of coach Zyber Konci played with these players: Kaci Jani, Baci Millan, Berisha Safet, Hysi Kastriot, Targaj Muhedin, Rragami Ferit, Lleshi Ferdinand, Marko Andrea, Braho Sefedin, Zeri Vasillaq, Minga Arben (70` Bajaziti).

After retiring from football, Sefedin Braho became responsible and administrator of Luftetari Club, refused any other role or offer, remaining a simple and good man until he passed away on June 6, 2024.

By Pjerin Bj – September 2024
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