In the seventh round of the Misli Premier League, Kəpəz secured a 2-0 away victory against Araz-Nakhchivan, not only earning three crucial points but also sending important signals about their future direction this season. The Ganja representative's win was notable for several reasons, both tactically and in terms of squad management.

First Away Victory and Attack Revitalisation

Firstly, the 'yellow-blues' officially recorded their first away win of the season. Additionally, the dynamics of the team's attacking productivity cannot be overlooked. In the previous five matches, the Ganja side had only managed to score a single goal in four of those games (1-0 against Turan Tovuz, 1-4 against Shamakhi, 1-0 against Gabala, and 1-1 against Sumgait), but during the 90 minutes in Nakhchivan, they found the net twice.

Benito's Goal After a Three-Year Hiatus

At the forefront of the positive changes in the squad is head coach Azer Mammadov's decision to include Benito. The Nigerian midfielder, who made his first start of the season, justified the trust placed in him by opening the scoring in the 31st minute. This goal marked his first official match success in nearly three years, having previously played for Dynamo Kyiv. By overcoming psychological pressure, Benito demonstrated that he is capable of regaining his previous form and solidifying his place in the starting eleven under healthy competition.

Trust in Youth: A Strategy in Action

Another noteworthy move by Mammadov is the integration of promising young talents into the first team. In the match against Araz-Nakhchivan, Arzu Atakishiyev made his debut for the 2026/27 season, coming on to replace Adama Fofana. We had also seen a similar bold step when 19-year-old Shakhnur Ismayilov was given a chance in the tense encounter against Turan Tovuz in the second round (1-0).

"No player in our squad will be overlooked, and we are always keeping an eye on young and promising players," is a statement that carries weight. The situation in Nakhchivan indicates that Kəpəz's future strategy will rely on the synthesis of experience and youth, maximising the value of internal resources.