Khujand have won the 2026 Tajikistan Cup after defeating Sardor of Tursunzoda 2-1 in the final. The team is coached by Serbian specialist Milan Milanović.
The final was played on October 18 at the Central Stadium in Istaravshan.
Khujand opened the scoring in the 39th minute through Jovan Anđelković. Emanuel Garuba doubled the lead in the 76th minute, before Anushervon Dzheboev pulled one back for Sardor in the 90+2nd minute.
The victory gave Milanović his first trophy since taking charge of Khujand at the end of December 2025.
The Serbian coach significantly reshaped the squad ahead of the new season. At the end of January, Khujand signed four Serbian players — Petar Gigić, Nikola Eskić, Jovan Anđelković and Darko Isailović. Milanović previously told Eurasia Football that he had been personally involved in selecting the players brought to the club.
The Serbian contingent changed during the summer transfer window. Gigić left, while goalkeeper Stefan Ilić arrived from Radnik Surdulica and central defender Nikola Milanović, the head coach’s son, also joined the team.
Khujand currently have five Serbian players in their squad: Ilić, Nikola Milanović, Isailović, Eskić and Anđelković.
There was also a Serbian football connection behind Khujand’s second goal in the final. Nigerian forward Emanuel Garuba joined the Tajik club on loan from Serbian side FAP Priboj during the summer.
Milanović became the second Serbian coach to win the Tajikistan Cup. Nikola Lazarević was the first, leading Istiklol to a domestic league and cup double in 2016. Ten years later, another Serbian coach has lifted the trophy.
The triumph carries additional significance for Khujand, who celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1976, the club have now won the Tajikistan Cup six times.
Their previous cup victories came in 1997/98, 2002, 2008, 2017 and 2021, making this their first triumph in the competition for five years.
In the semi-finals, Milanović’s side defeated Ravshan Kulob in both legs, winning 3-1 and 3-2.
Khujand received 200,000 somoni, approximately $21,700, in prize money for winning the tournament.
More importantly, the cup victory secured Khujand a place in the 2027/28 AFC Challenge League, giving the club a return to continental competition in the season following its 50th anniversary celebrations.