The number of players who played an important role in the history of Neftchi during the independence period is not so great. But Gurban Gurbanov's name is among the first in this list. In general, one of Gurbanov's brothers, Musa, introduced himself to the world of football faster, which is due to the fact that he is older than Gurban. After returning from military service, Musa started playing football for the first time at the age of 21 at the age of 21. In 1989, he had the honor of wearing the uniform of Neftchi. The great Gurbanov, who did not stay long in Baku during those difficult years of our team, returned here with his brother. At that time, no one could have imagined that despite the fact that Musa was 18 years old, his brother, whom no one knew as a footballer, would "play a horse" in Azerbaijani football in a few years. Specialists watching the duel of the brothers for the first time in the national championship in the staff of the native "Flood" felt the "footsteps" of the new striker. After the scandalous suspension of the Zagatala representative in 1993, all the ambitious teams "rolled up their sleeves" to get them. But the Gurbanovs were lucky for Turan and did not regret the peacocks. In the same year, Turan won the first and only championship in its history. This was the first victory for Gurban and Musa, but it was not the last. The victories of the brothers, especially Gurban, were still ahead.

In 1996, a team with a super staff at the level of Azerbaijan needed a striker who could form a duet with Samir Alakbarov. It was at this time that Gurban and his brother were invited to the team of their dreams - "Neftchi". Both head coach Kazbek Tuayev and Gurban Gurbanov won this election: both won their second championship in their careers, and Gurban also scored 34 goals in 29 games to bomb the national championship. Gurbanov Jr. had already been heard of in neighboring Russia, and he turned to the proposals.

In the 2001/02 season, Neftchi needed Gurbanov again. But tired of the scandals in our football, the future captain chose to play in Russia again. However, the separation of the duo did not last as long as before. Only a year later, he again wore the captain's armband of "Neftchi", which he considered a native. This time the team needed his experience more. There is a difficult struggle for the championship with "Garabagh-Azersun", Aghdam team was ahead of the flagship. The first match after the break was between these two rivals. Experts always say that it is in the decisive games that the leading players show their qualities. Gurban also proved that he did not return to Baku in vain in the match with "Garabagh-Azersun", which decided the fate of the championship. He first sent Zaur Tagizadeh's pass, and then a penalty for a foul on him in the penalty area. The third goal was scored by Eltay Aslanov after Gurban's pass.

These qualities were formed in Gurban by his brother Musa, or rather, by his hard trainings. When Musa came to his home in Ashagi Tala, where Gurban started his football career while still in high school, his younger brother's "black" days began. During that time, Gurban was able to come home almost asleep. The whole day was spent training hard in the stadium. The love of work in the family instilled this character in Gurban, so he did not sit idle even in the absence of Moses, and increased the intensity of training every day. He became a leader on the field with his tirelessness, fearlessness and courage. The injury he suffered in the match against OMIK in the 2003/04 season was the result of that fearlessness and courage. If there was someone else, he might not have entered the ball, but Gurban tries to make the most of it, even if he has little chance to win the fight. Therefore, he started to fight with the goalkeeper, and after the injury he suffered as a result of the collision, it is good that with the help of the players he got rid of the folding of the tongue.

Gurban, who was even ready to risk his life for the team, had a big share in the last two championships of "Neftchi". Unfortunately, he could not make his debut as a coach with the championship, but it was very close ...