Karaganda’s Shakhter Returns to the Kazakhstan Premier League

Turkestan’s Turan also secured promotion to the top flight

On October 22, Karaganda football club Shakhter was awarded the trophy and gold medals for winning Kazakhstan’s First League. One of the country’s most decorated clubs will return to the Kazakhstan Premier League (KPL) next season.

The award ceremony took place on October 22 following the team’s final match of the season against Kairat-Zhasstar. Shakhter suffered a 3-2 home defeat but still finished top of the standings with 65 points. Kairat-Zhasstar placed second with 63 points but, as a reserve team, is ineligible for promotion to the Premier League. The other promotion spot went to Turan from Turkestan.

Shakhter striker Artem LITOSH finished as the First League’s top scorer with 24 goals. The forward also received his first call-up to the Kazakhstan national team.

Shakhter returns to the top division after a two-season absence. In 2024, the Karaganda side finished 13th and last in the KPL, suffering relegation from the top flight for the first time since the championship of independent Kazakhstan was established. Prior to that, the club had competed in the highest division continuously since 1992. The following season, Shakhter finished fourth in the First League and failed to secure an immediate return.

The Karaganda club won the Kazakhstan championship twice, in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Shakhter claimed both the Kazakhstan Cup and the Kazakhstan Super Cup. The club has also earned three bronze medals in the national championship, finishing third in 1995, 2007 and 2009.

Shakhter’s greatest international achievement also came in 2013. In the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Viktor KUMYKOV’S team eliminated BATE Borisov and Albania’s Skenderbeu. In the playoff round, Shakhter defeated Celtic2-0 at home but lost the return leg in Glasgow 3-0. The club then competed in the UEFA Europa League group stage, becoming the first Kazakhstani team to reach the group phase of a European club competition.

The latest success marks Shakhter’s first title since the club came under private ownership. In November 2025, it was acquired by a company affiliated with Freedom Holding Corp., owned by prominent businessman Timur TURLOV.

Photo: FC Shakhter.

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