Hibernian hurt in Conference League bid by Kosovan club Malisheva
Hibernian FC faces a difficult path in the Conference League qualifiers after a 2-0 defeat to Kosovan club Malisheva. The Scottish side struggled to convert chances and conceded a late second goal, leaving them with a significant deficit for the second leg.
Why it matters
The result is a major setback for Scottish football's European ambitions and highlights the competitive nature of early-stage continental tournaments.
Ronnie Esplin, Press Association Thu, 23 July 2026 at 4:42 pm UTC · 2 min read Hibernian’s quest for Conference League football is in jeopardy after a 2-0 humbling by unfancied Kosovan outfit Malisheva.
Kreshnik Uka stunned David Gray’s side in the first leg of the second qualifying tie at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina when he opened the scoring in the 21st minute from close range.
Hibs stepped up the pressure after the break and new signing Nathan Lowe missed a couple of chances as they stepped up the pressure but home substitute Valjmir Nafiu added a second in the 90th minute on the break to leave the Scots with a rescue mission in the second leg at Easter Road next week.
It was another abject night for Scottish football in Europe as the Leith side came up short against a club that is only a decade old.
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