Samsunspor Soars into UEFA Conference League Last 16
Samsunspor continued their remarkable European journey, defeating Shkendija 4-0 in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie on February 26, 2026. This victory secured a 5-0 aggregate win and propelled the Turkish side into the last 16 of the competition.
Dominant Performance Seals Qualification
The match, played at the Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadium, saw Samsunspor build on their 1-0 first-leg advantage. While the first half remained goalless, the home side exploded into action after the break.
Olivier Ntcham opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a penalty, followed by a goal from Cherif Ndiaye in the 71st minute, assisted by Assoumou. Mouandilmadji then added two more goals, in the 79th and 90+2nd minutes, completing the rout.
Path to the Last 16: A Historic Run
This qualification marks a significant achievement for Samsunspor, representing a historic run in European competition. They overcame Shkendija with a convincing performance, demonstrating their growing strength on the continental stage.
Who Could Samsunspor Face?
Samsunspor will now face either Shakhtar Donetsk or Rayo Vallecano in the last 16. The draw is scheduled for February 27th. The first leg matches will be played on March 12th, with the return legs on March 19th.
Key Moments from the Match
Early in the game, Ndzengue Moubeti had a shot go narrowly wide for Shkendija. Samsunspor’s Okan made crucial saves from Meliqi and Holse during the match. A goal from Mouandilmadji was initially awarded but later disallowed after a VAR review.
Team Lineups
Samsunspor: Okan, Zeki, Satka, Van Drongelen, Tomasson, Makoumbou, Ntcham, Holse, Assoumou, Ndiaye, Mouandilmadji.
Shkendija: Gaye, Trumçi, Fetai, Meliqi, Webster, Islami, Zejnullai, Spahiu, Tamba, Latifi, Ndzengue Moubeti.
UEFA Conference League: Rising Competition
The UEFA Conference League, established in 2021, provides a pathway for clubs from smaller UEFA member associations to compete in European football. The league has quickly gained popularity, offering exciting matches and opportunities for emerging teams.
Recent Results from February 26, 2026
Several other matches were played on February 26th, including:
- Celje 3 – 2 Drita (Celje win 6-4 on aggregate)
- Fiorentina 2 – 4 Jagiellonia Białystok (Fiorentina win 5-4 on aggregate)
- Rijeka 3 – 1 Omonia Nicosia (Rijeka win 4-1 on aggregate)
- AZ 4 – 0 Noah (AZ win 4-1 on aggregate)
- Crystal Palace 2 – 0 Zrinjski (Crystal Palace win 3-1 on aggregate)
- Lausanne-Sport 1 – 2 Sigma Olomouc (Sigma Olomouc win 3-2 on aggregate)
- Lech Poznań 1 – 0 KuPS (Lech Poznań win 3-0 on aggregate)
FAQ
Q: What is the UEFA Conference League?
A: It’s a third-tier European club football competition organized by UEFA.
Q: When will the last 16 draw take place?
A: February 27th.
Q: Who could Samsunspor potentially play in the next round?
A: Shakhtar Donetsk or Rayo Vallecano.
Q: When are the last 16 matches scheduled?
A: March 12th (first leg) and March 19th (return leg).
Did you understand? Samsunspor’s victory marks a significant milestone for Turkish football, showcasing the growing competitiveness of clubs from the nation.
Stay tuned for further updates on Samsunspor’s journey in the UEFA Conference League. Explore more articles on European football and team analysis on our website.
