2016–17 KF Tirana season

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The 2016–17 season was KF Tirana’s 78th competitive season and their 78th straight in Albania’s top flight, the Kategoria Superiore, as well as the club’s 96th year of existence. The club was led by President Refik Halili. Ilir Daja started the season as head coach, staying until November 2, 2016, after which Mirel Josa took over as head coach.

Home games were played at the Selman Stërmasi Stadium. Tirana finished 9th in the Kategoria Superiore, but won the Albanian Cup that season. The top scorer for Tirana was Afrim Taku, with 9 league goals and 13 in all competitions.

Key events and changes (highlights):
- June: Gentian Muça’s disciplinary sentence was reduced to the first four league matches; Elis Bakaj left for RNK Split in Croatia; Ilir Daja returned to Tirana and a new season plan was unveiled with club president Refik Halili.
- Mid-June: Ilir Avdyli left; Allush Gavazaj left after loans; Ilion Lika rejoined the club.
- June–July: Gentian Muça was loaned to Kukësi for European competition; Argjend Malaj left to Skënderbeu Korçë; Dritan Smajli departed.
- July: Ansi Nika signed on a two-year deal; Afrim Taku returned to Tirana; Marvin Turtulli joined; Asion Daja joined; Dorian Kërçiku extended to 2019; Edvan Bakaj renewed for two years; Erion Hoxhallari extended; David Domgjoni returned on a three-year contract.
- July 17–25: The squad trained in Zlatibor, Serbia; Nigerian striker Emeka Emerun joined on trial but left the team.
- August: Four new players—Romuald Ntsitsigui, Ifeanyi Edeh, Moise Nkounkou, and Merveille Ndockyt—signed two-year deals; Ronald Gërçaliu left by mutual consent; Flamur Bajrami joined as a young striker.
- September opening: Tirana began the league with a 0–0 draw against Teuta Durrës, followed by another goalless draw at Laçi. The third match was a 2–2 home draw with Kukësi, with Afrim Taku and Merveille Ndockyt scoring. The Tirana derby against Partizani also ended in a 0–0 draw, marking one of the club’s worst starts in decades. In the Albanian Cup, Tirana faced Sopoti Librazhd in the first leg; Gilman Lika scored but Sopoti equalized late via a Mirel Çota penalty.

Season end: The season ran through May 2017 with Tirana securing the Albanian Cup title, while finishing 9th in the league, a less successful league campaign than hoped. Afrim Taku finished as the club’s top scorer, with 9 league goals and 13 in all competitions.