BOV Challenge League MD14 Review: Zebbug claim shock win over St Andrews, Melita stun Balzan

Photos by Malta FA

BOV CHALLENGE LEAGUE 2025/26
MATCHDAY 14

Melita 2-0 Balzan
Two former Premier Division teams were in action against each other in Sunday afternoon’s second kick-off at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, with Melita beating leaders Balzan 2-0 thanks to a Jesus Andres Yepez brace. A highly deserved victory for Melita whose tactical plan worked out well with the St Julian’s-based side being most definitely the most clinical of the two. Thanks to this victory, Melita have now leapfrogged Birzebbuga, who lost unexpectedly to Santa Lucia, into second-place.

Melita had a setback early on as Quadri Allionida, good for seven league goals this season, limped off injured with Eric Mensah replacing the Nigerian after just 10 minutes. But two minutes later, Yepez made a wonderful move down the left flank to kick home the opener for Melita with a fierce grounder. Not much later on the other side, Gosef Mizzi blocked a Jake Engerer shot from point-blank, which could have meant the equaliser for Balzan. But Melita were the better team in the opening phase with Mensah coming close on 25 minutes, hitting the woodwork after an opportunistic close-range effort from a corner action. Balzan came back strongly towards the end of the half by pushing Brian Said’s team back into their own half but without the desired effect with Melita reaching half-time with a 1-0 advantage.

On 57 minutes, Yepez was in the thick of the action again when heading a through-ball towards Mensah, who did well to outpace his direct marker before shooting in the hands of Dylan Ciappara. Four minutes later, Ciappara pulled off a great save from a Nick Cutajar attempt which the Balzan custodian turned into a corner to keep his side into the match. Four minutes later it was Mizzi’s turn to perform an excellent save on a Samir Arab grounder from about 20-meters distance. With 15 minutes regular time left, Brazilian centre-back Negueba brought down Yepez in the box with the official in charge awarding a penalty. Yepez stepped up himself and made no mistake to give his side a healthy 2-0 lead. A late Balzan rally proved to be futile with Melita bagging an important three points in their promotion bid.

Birzebbuga St Peter’s 0-1 Santa Lucia
In Saturday’s early kick-off at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Santa Lucia produced the surprise of the weekend by beating high flyers Birzebbuga thanks to a solitary late second half goal by former Rabat Ajax winger Jake Cordina. The Lucians, now in the hands of Macedonian coach Emil Grnev, already held Melita to a 2-2 draw last weekend and where the most clinical on the day as the game was largely dominated by the seasiders.

From the very beginning, the Saints were in control of the game, creating some opportunities but Paul Lapira, Leo Agius and newcomer Charles Chibuike (ex-Mosta) but were rather sloppy in their finishing or found excellent Santa Lucia goalkeeper Christoper Farrugia on their way, who denied the Blues on various occasions.

The team of coach Edgar Degabriele increased their efforts to break the deadlock after the change of ends but were left frustrated as the tactical plan of Grnev worked well, keeping the Saints at bay who were unable to convert their chances into goals. The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Cordina, who had entered the field just four minutes earlier, struck a powerful shot to give St. Lucia the lead.

Birzebbuga’s frustrations were compounded when Agius was sent off for misconduct after directing abusive language towards a match official, leaving Degabriele’s men to finish the game with 10 men. Therefore, Birzebbuga dropped important points and with Melita beating Balzan, are now ranked third in the ranking.

Sirens 1-0 Zurrieq
After already scoring four of the five Sirens goals last week against Fgura (5-1), it was again centre-forward Thiago Nonato who proved to be the match winner for Sirens in their minimal 1-0 victory over Zurrieq last Saturday at the Centenary Stadium. The early strike of the Brazilian proved decisive in a match they managed with maturity despite late pressure from the visitors.

Zurrieq began brightly and threatened inside the opening six minutes. Jonathan Monney rose highest to meet a corner and beat goalkeeper Ryan Caruana with a firm header, only to see the ball drift narrowly over the crossbar. It was perhaps the early warning Sirens needed as, three minutes later, Sirens delivered the game’s defining moment. Thiago Nonato broke clear in a one-on-one situation, showed composure with an excellent first touch to round advancing goalkeeper Jurgen Borg to calmly slot home. From there, Sirens settled into a measured rhythm. Content to control space and close central channels, they limited Zurrieq largely to set-piece opportunities.

While Zurrieq struggled to fashion clear openings, Sirens looked dangerous on the break. On 59 minutes, Hafiz Akadom led a swift counterattack, driving the length of the pitch with options to either side, but decided to go for goal himself, firing over the crossbar from a promising position. During the second half, Sirens dropped deeper, inviting more possession from Zurrieq in advanced areas. However, the visitors were unable to convert that territorial advantage into clear-cut chances. The Sirens defensive unit remained compact and disciplined, forcing hopeful deliveries rather than allowing incisive combinations through the middle.

Zurrieq’s best opportunity arrived deep into stoppage time when a long ball caused brief uncertainty in a crowded penalty area, with the ball falling nicely in front of substitute Anton Camilleri, whose effort drifted wide of the post. It was the victory Sirens needed to seal their Top Eight participation.

Gudja United 0-2 Swieqi United
The match between Gudja and Swieqi at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday was of upmost importance for the Top Eight chances for both sides, with eventually Swieqi reaching the elite group by beating the Blues quite comfortably thanks to two first half goals. Gudja were expected to make a second-half comeback but disappointed, with Swieqi’s lead never really in danger. The team of coach Liam Mangion, who paraded former Valletta goalkeeper Timothy Aquilina between the sticks, are now sure of Top Eight participation.

Swieqi took the lead on 20 minutes when the Gudja defence failed to clear the ball from an Augusto Caseres attempt with Kian Leonardi being at the right place to blast the ball top corner. Gudja threatened towards the half hour mark, with Enzo Ruiz having attempt on goal from a corner action but Aquilina saved comfortably. In stoppage time, Donys Quintero felled Lucas Okeke with a clumsy push in the box and consequently, the referee in charge pointing at the spot. Leonardi made no mistake from 11-meters to record a 2-0 half-time score in favour of Swieqi.

Gudja needed a quick goal after the break but failed to threaten with Aquilina having a rather quiet second half as the Blues proved to be rather toothless up front. In fact, there was rarely any goalmouth action with Swieqi clinically defending their advantage towards the end. Tempers flared with two minutes regular time left when Gudja centre-back Nicholas Gauci was red-carded for a bad foul on Salam Mawuena not far from the Gudja bench, a just decision. Gudja can still reach the Top Eight by beating Mgarr United in the last fixture of the opening phase next weekend.

Mgarr United 2-4 Fgura United
On Saturday, Fgura United safeguarded their Top Eight spot after a recent slump in form with an emphatic victory over Mgarr at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. The team of coach Kevin Vella properly replied to their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Sirens last week as they built up a 3-0 lead before Mgarr scored two at the very end of the match before Abdulbasit Kolawole scored the 4-2, deciding the match deep into stoppage time.

Fgura set the tone early, pressing high and creating the first real chance of the match when Samuel Buhagiar’s free-kick narrowly missed the target in the opening minutes. Fgura’s pressure eventually paid off on the half-hour mark as they took a deserved lead. Karl Formosa’s corner caused problems in the Mgarr area, and Lee Pisani was on hand to tap home from close range. Mgarr responded positively and came close to an equaliser on a couple of occasions through Ndoye Abdou, whose efforts flew just wide. Fgura nearly doubled their advantage just before the interval, but Formosa surprisingly mistimed his finish from point-blank range, allowing the visitors to escape further punishment.

The second half again saw Fgura on the front foot. Alan Abdel Rahman went close with an impressive solo run, beating two defenders before firing just wide of the left post. Redemption soon followed as the same player made no mistake moments later, placing a composed finish into the right corner to extend Fgura’s lead. Dylan Caruana made it 3–0 in the 61st minute with a powerful drive into the left corner, beating goalkeeper Miguel Chetcuti for the third time. Despite the scoreline, Mgarr showed commendable resilience and pulled one back through veteran Terence Vella, who scored a superb goal into the right corner to briefly reignite the contest.

The visitors continued to push and were rewarded in stoppage time when Wisdom Igiebor added a second with a well-timed strike. Any hopes of a late comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as young Nigerian substitute Kolawole sealed the win with a well-executed counter-attack, calmly slotting home in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. A convincing and much-needed victory for Fgura, who showed attacking intent, composure, and character to get back on track.

Mtarfa 0-6 Pieta’ Hotspurs
With three goals in each half, as expected, Pieta’ Hotspurs proved too strong for Mtarfa in a match played on Sunday night at the Centenary Stadium. The Blues now need to beat Zurrieq this Saturday to secure a place in the Top Eight. Mtarfa on the other hand, are still rock bottom on -2 points after starting the season with a six-point penalty, having already conceded 59 goals.

It was Mtarfa who drew first blood in the 10th minute when Ognjen Ilic missed an incredible scoring opportunity when he had his volley from an ideal position ending wide. But it was Pieta who opened the score on the 17th minute when Arthur Felippe hit home elegantly with a back-heel. The Blues continued dominating matters and on the 34th minute they doubled the score from another goal by Arthur Felippe who from close range, placed the ball at the back of the net. On the 42 minutes, Jeremy Micallef had his shot from the edge of the area parried well by Mtarfa goalie Jacob Mangion, but Micallef was not to be denied, scoring the third Pieta’ goal on the stroke of half-time.

In the opening period of the second half, Pieta’ continued with the same pace of the first half with James Brincat scoring goal number four on 47 minutes. With the Hotspurs home and dry, they reversed a gear but still found time to add two more goals. On 73 minutes, Arthur Felippe recorded his hat-trick by kicking home a penalty while three minutes later, substitute Jake Borg added the sixth and last goal for Pieta’. Mtarfa defender Redeemer Muscat got sent off with a straight red card after passing some remarks towards the referee, but by then, the match was already over for some time.

Zebbug Rangers 2-1 St Andrews
On Saturday, St Andrews did not do themselves any favours, being beaten surprisingly by lowly Zebbug Rangers, who boosted their survival hopes with a vital 2-1 victory in a match that burst into life after the interval. It was another giant boost for Zebbug’s survival bid, after beating Marsa already last weekend. For the Saints, things get complicated as, with 20 points and Santa Lucia up next, they do not have a possible Top Eight place in their own hands anymore.

It was a slow-burning contest, with clear-cut chances at a premium in the opening half. Luxol threatened first on 24 minutes when Dale Camilleri picked out Caua Costa inside the area. The Brazilian laid the ball off to Kurt Briffa, whose right-footed effort sailed over the bar. Jack Camilleri tried his luck from distance five minutes later, but again the target was missed. The best opportunity of the half for the Rangers arrived on the stroke of half-time. Dylan Agius delivered a free-kick from the left towards the back post, where Christian Grech rose highest but headed wide. Despite both sides struggling to carve out openings, Luxol looked the more likely to break the deadlock before the break.

The second half began in similar fashion with Zebbug coming close in the 51st minute, when Joseph Willy’s cross was parried by Jake Pisani into the path of Nathan Sultana, who failed to keep his follow-up under the bar. Luxol continued to press and went close again when Caua broke down the right and squared for Mattia Galliano, whose left-footed attempt drifted wide of the far post. The deadlock was finally broken in spectacular and somewhat fortuitous fashion on 66 minutes. Olalekan Opajobi whipped in a left-footed corner from the right that, aided by the wind, curled directly into the top-left corner.

Zebbug’s lead, however, lasted barely a minute when Caua was brought down inside the area and won the resulting penalty, calmly dispatched the ball into the bottom-left corner, sending Pisani the wrong way. As the clock ticked down, both sides pushed for a winner. Agius tested the goalkeeper from range in the 77th minute, while Elizeu fired over from inside the box late on. Zebbuh squandered a golden chance in the 89th minute when Sultana capitalised on a defensive error to spark a two-on-one break, but hesitation and a slip from Shedrack Thomas allowed Luxol to escape.

The drama continued into stoppage time however when Luxol were reduced to 10 men when Elizeu received his second yellow card. Moments later, Zebbug made their advantage count. Thomas teed up Isaac Chetcuti on the right side of the area, and he drilled a low shot into the bottom-right corner to seal the win and spark jubilant celebrations among the Zebbug faithful.

Zebbug Rangers FC 2-1 St Andrews FC - 07.02.2026 - Photo by Malta FA

Vittoriosa Stars 1-1 Marsa
The relegation clash between Vittoriosa Stars and Marsa on Sunday afternoon at the Centenary Stadium ended in a one-all draw, a result which was did not favour either side. Perhaps, Marsa where the happier side as Vittoriosa missed a few good chances throughout the game although Marsa created a late rally in which they could have scored the winner just the same.

It was Marsa who opened the score in their first goal-scoring opportunity when from a corner, Brazilian centre back Gabriel Cruz was at the right place to kick Marsa in front after just four minutes. Vittoriosa made a strong reaction and on 13 minutes the Cottonera side were awarded a penalty when Marsa goalie Amara Sylla tripped Godfed Sakyi inside the box. Renan Bigode stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to level matters. Marsa threatened again on the 37th minute when Davi Versiani advanced into the penalty area and had his shot directed towards goal deviated into a corner by a Vittoriosa defender.

More goalmouth action after the change of ends as Vittoriosa went close to re-gaining the lead on the 56th minute when Nigerian Julius Babatola had his scissor-kick from an ideal position ending just wide. Seconds later, the Birgu team missed another great scoring opportunity but were very unlucky when Luca Mallia had his shot from 30-meter yards hitting the crossbar. They continued dominating matters and just before the hour mark, the same Mallia had his shot parried well by Sylla. Marsa replied on the hour when Klose Azzopardi Conti came face-to face with Vittoriosa goalie Jake Farrugia, with the latter making a decisive save to deny the former Valletta FC player.

Vittoriosa reacted well and on 79 minutes, Mallia hit a fierce shot from an insidious freekick which was deviated into a corner by the Marsa wall. Marsa had another goal-scoring opportunity on the 83rd minute when Azzopardi Conti had his good shot from an ideal position ending wide. With the Stars slowly running out of energy, Marsa smelled a winner and continued pressing forward, with substitute Neil Demanuele’s effort ending just wide on the stroke of full-time. It proved to be the last match action with both teams settling for a point each.