In the winter of 1948 the army football club of "Chavdar" (Sofia) united with the sports department of the Central Army Club (TSDV). Soon after that the team united with Septemvri (Sofia) and on May 5 “Septemvri pri TSDV” was established.

The first official match of the team was played on May 19, 1948 at the Yunak Stadium against Slavia. The match ended with a 1:1 draw. During the same year led by its captain Nako Chakmakov the army club reached the final of the football tournament in the country against the champions of Levski. In the first final match Levski won 2: 1, but during the second match at the full to brim stadium of Yunak, which did not have any grass at the time, until the 90th minute of the game the red team was 2:1 ahead of Levski. Fans expected that a third match would be played as the tournament rules then did not include extra time or penalty shoot-out. But In the 90thminuteof the match Nako Chakmakov’s long-distance shot brought the victory and the cup to the Army Men. This triumph of September 9, 1948 gave a solid boost to the development of one of the greatest Bulgarian football teams, which later achieved historic successes against legendary European teams and gave Bulgarian football many of the most successful Bulgarian players.

CSKA has had a number of names. In1949 the team of the Bulgarian Army was renamed TSDNV (Central House of the People's Troops) and then in 1954 the club was called "Central House of the People's Army" (TSDNA). In 1962, the team was called CSKA "Cherveno Zname” (Red Flag). Cups were piling up fast in CSKA’s collection, while its aggressive style of playing and memorable victories against teams such as Nottingham Forest, Ajax and Liverpool brought great joy to the numerous fans.

Years passed before the fall of the socialist regime in Bulgaria would allow football transfers to western countries.After1990many young talents of CSKA started successful careers in European teams, which again showed that CSKA was a true breeding ground for football stars. One of those players is legendary striker of CSKA Hristo Stoichkov. His style impressed Johan Cruyff and Stoichkov started playing in Barcelona, where he wrote history as one of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe and the world.

 In 1994 coach of the national team of Bulgaria was CSKA’s legend Dimitar Penev and stars like Hristo Stoichkov, Emil Kostadinov, Trifon Ivanov played in the team. The career of all of them is linked to CSKA and hopes for success in the World Cup were focused on them, especially after the unique way Bulgaria qualified for USA'94 after two goals by Emil Kostadinov against France.

 The start of the tournament was difficult and Bulgaria lost 0:3 against Nigeria, but then achieved four consecutive victories and reached the fourth place in the world, while Stoichkov became the top scorer of the tournament with six goals. This has been the biggest success of the Bulgarian national team so far. In the golden fund of the Bulgarian National Radio an interview with Hristo Stoichkov after the 4:0 victory of Bulgaria against Greece is preserved. Before this match Bulgaria had no victory in a World Cup tournament, despite its 5 previous participations.

 "All the players knew what they had to do. We were so focused that no one could possibly think we can lose against Greece. That is why we won 4: 0. I am very happy with this first victory of the Bulgarian national team. Critics can say that there were two penalties and a goal from a foul, but anyone can think what they want. I am pleased that the Bulgarian national team has achieved its first and so desired victory after so many World Cups. From here on we look forward to match with Argentina, as this will be the game of truth for us and for them…” 

 
The creation of CSKA in 1948 undoubtedly changed football history of the country and the players of the red team have won a lot of respect for Bulgaria at the stadiums of the world and have brought pride to all Bulgarians during the past 66 years.

English: Alexander Markov