Qol.az
Khachmaz's "Shimal" football team successfully performed in the Azerbaijan 2nd League, securing bronze medals with 3 rounds remaining. With this, the club has earned the right to participate in the 1st League next season.
"Shimal", which started preparations for the new league, has also strengthened its coaching staff. Zaur Ramazanov, who once played for "Bakili", "Karvan", "Khazar-Lankaran", "Qarabag" clubs, and also played for the Azerbaijan national team, has been appointed to the post of head coach. Another noteworthy appointment is related to the main team's goalkeeping coach. Thus, for the first time in Azerbaijan, a woman coach has been appointed to a men's football team. This position in the "Shimal" team has been entrusted to 28-year-old young specialist Zulfiyya Bayramova.
QOL.az reports that Zulfiyya Bayramova stated in an interview with the AZERTAC agency regarding her appointment as a coach in the "Shimal" team that she has had a "C" category coaching certificate since 2018. She obtained this category by participating in coaching trainings conducted by AFFA.
"I have been playing football for more than thirteen years in various teams. I play as a goalkeeper. In addition, I have completed coaching courses. I have previously had coaching experience in children's teams. I received an offer from the "Shimal" football club, which represents my hometown, to become the main team's goalkeeping coach. This team is not foreign to me. Fazil Salahov, who contributed to my development as a football player, is also in the club's coaching staff. He played a big role in my transfer to the club. We have signed a contract with the club until the end of the 2025-2026 season. Currently, "Shimal" is playing its last games in the 2nd League. From next season, we will play in the 1st League. I will start actively working in the team as part of the preparations for the 1st League. I am ready to provide all possible assistance to the team of my hometown," said Zulfiyya Bayramova.
Zulfiyya was born on April 4, 1997, in the village of Arzu in Khachmaz. From childhood, she played football with boys in the neighborhood. Since 2012, she has started playing at the amateur level in a club in Khachmaz. During her talented goalkeeping career, she played for "SKGB" (Khachmaz), "Gusar", "Bina" (Baku), "Sumgayit", "Gabala", "Inter" (Khachmaz) teams. She became the champion and silver medalist of Azerbaijan with "Gabala". Since last year, she has been a member of the "Baku Juniors" women's football team.
Our interlocutor also defended the honor of the Azerbaijan women's national team. The young Khachmaz woman, who mostly served as a reserve goalkeeper in the national team, has also participated in a number of international competitions.
"Working in a men's team does not scare me. They say, "A lion has no male or female." I have always worked in men's teams in my football career. I hope that this appointment will lead to an increase in my career," said Zulfiyya Bayramova.
