Macedonia GjP started this season with high ambitions. After getting promoted by winning the 2.MFL last season, the club aimed to secure the status of a stable top flight competitor, and had a good start, only for the turbulence in the club to be later reflected in the results, so in the end the Lions went in a completely opposite direction from what was planned.

photo by FFM: coach Bobi Bozhinovski

Bobi Bozhinovski, a native of Gjorche Petrov and legendary player of this club, took over the position of head coach after the departure of Boban Grncharov, and given the circumstances, he completed the task quite solidly.

“For this half season, as an assistant coach, I can say that the club started the season with a clear goal, and that is certainly survival in the first league and, if conditions allow, a fight for a higher ranking. The club’s management provided a solid budget and good working conditions, and several reinforcements were brought in, some of them with a delay. All of this created expectations for better results. The beginning of the season was not in line with expectations, but after a few rounds the team started to win points, especially in the duels with direct rivals. Against the teams from the upper part of the table, the results were more modest.” – Bozhinovski noted talking to FFM.

In the end of the opening half season the team entered a crisis. This is also visible according to the achieved results. In the last eight matches there have been three draws, and the last victory was recorded at the beginning of October.

“This was followed by a period of turbulence in the club, which inevitably affected the team’s form, after which there were changes in the playing staff, as well as the resignation of the head coach. In a very short period of time, I took on the role of head coach. Although the current position in the table is not satisfactory and the team is in the relegation zone, I believe that without the challenges that have arisen, we would have been significantly higher with more points won. In the last three matches, the team played with a limited number of professional players, supplemented by youngsters from the club’s academy. I am sincerely satisfied with the commitment, discipline and attitude shown – both by the players and the coaching staff.” – continued the coach who retired in 2022 at the age of 41.

The Gjorche Petrov based team faces a fierce battle for avoiding relegation for the remainder of the season, and their fans expect to remain part of the top flight in the future.

“As for the second half season, the results will depend on the quality of the team’s additions and the retention of some of the existing staff. The owners and management continue to show willingness to support the club, and we, as the coaching staff, will continue to do our job as professionally as possible, in order to meet the set goals.” – concluded Bozhinovski.

Macedonia GjP will open the second half season away to Brera in Strumica on 6/7 February.