BOV Challenge League MD15 Review: Swieqi emerge victorious in tense encounter against Fgura, St Andrews make it into Top Eight

Photos by Malta FA

BOV CHALLENGE LEAGUE 2025/26
MATCHDAY 15

Marsa 1-4 Balzan
On Sunday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Balzan bounced back from last week’s defeat against Melita with a convincing 4-1 victory over Marsa. Nigerian striker Awosonja Oluwale was undoubtedly the man of the match, scoring a hat-trick. For Marsa, their fight against the drop continues as the team of Ryan Fenech was left without a change against the league leaders. The returning Nicholas Pulis of Balzan appeared in his 200th career game.

Balzan set the tempo from the opening whistle, enjoying sustained pressure and earning no fewer than five corners inside the first 10 minutes. Despite Balzan’s dominance, it was Marsa who fashioned the first clear opportunity, with Klose Azzopardi-Conti firing a low drive narrowly wide. Balzan responded in the 20th minute when Jake Engerer aimed a precise shot towards the right corner, only for Marsa goalkeeper Jake Scicluna to produce a fine fingertip save. Balzan’s breakthrough arrived soon after, as speedster James Scicluna struck a low effort from inside the area to put his side ahead. Balzan doubled their advantage from the penalty spot in the 41st minute after Brazilian defender Gabriel Cruz committed a foul inside the box. Oluwale stepped up and converted in style into the right corner.

After the interval, Balzan continued to dictate proceedings as Oluwale added his second of the afternoon with a composed finish down the middle. Marsa briefly reduced the deficit when substitute Neil Demanuele slotted home into the left corner following an excellent move orchestrated by Davi Versiani. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Oluwale completed his hat-trick with a well-timed header, restoring Balzan’s three-goal cushion and sealing a deserved win. Balzan will now start the second phase with a three-point lead over Melita and four ahead of Birzebbuga, remaining firm favourites for a quick return into the Premiership.

Vittoriosa Stars 0-1 Melita
In Saturday’s early kick-off at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Melita registered a narrow 1-0 win over Vittoriosa Stars, who gave the Amateurs more than a match. The team of Brian Said therefore managed to consolidate their second spot in the standings and are now facing Sirens next Sunday who, with a fourth place in the ranking, are also pushing for promotion. Melita had to do without the services of Kurt Bondin who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

It was Melita who drew first blood on the 20th minute when Eric Mensah had his header from a n ideal position parried by Vittoriosa goalkeeper Jake Farrugia. Melita controlled the game and just after the half-hour mark, Mensah threatened again, producing a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. Vittoriosa, who are still involved in the relegation tussle, made a strong reaction and on 37 minutes, Gosef Mizzi interfered well on a Blessing Brafo attempt. The Stars then missed a huge opportunity only two minutes later when Julius Babatola had his low shot blocked by a Vittoriosa defender near the goal-line.

Melita’s winner was scored on 54 minutes when Farrugia had no reply on Zak Grech’s brilliant scorcher, much to the delight of the clan from St Julian’s. Although there was plenty of time left for the Birgu side to react, Melita administered their lead excellently thanks to their strong defence. In stoppage time, the unmarked Jesus Andres Yepez should have doubled for Melita but his diagonal attempt ended inches wide. Vittoriosa will now meet Marsa and Zurrieq in the next two weeks and can make a giant step into salvation should they get some positive results in these two outings.

Zebbug Rangers 0-3 Birzebbuga St Peter’s
After three negative results, Birzebbuga returned to winning ways thanks to a clinical 3-0 victory over lowly Zebbug Rangers at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday. It was a much-deserved victory for the team of coach Edgar Degabriele, who just obtained one point against Vittoriosa before going down to Balzan and Santa Lucia during the past weeks, but are now hoping to get their promotion bid back on track.

The Rangers threatened a few times during the first half but in general the Saints were the ones who dictated play, with Jamie Sceri coming close after six minutes with a diagonal attempt after a probing run on the right. Five minutes later on the other side, a wonderful free-kick by Gaetano Gesualdi just missed target. On 15 minutes, Miguel Azzopardi’s header from a Zachary Cassar corner sailed inches wide and in the 24th minute, a scorcher by the same Azzopardi went just over the bar, with the Blues pushing for the opener. Zebbug goalkeeper Jean-Claude Debattista was called back into action just after the half-hour mark, tipping a Paul Lapira shot into a corner. Five minutes before the end of the half, debutant Duvan Mosquera (ex-St Andrews) unleashed a powerful drive which was turned into his own goal by Nathan Sultana, giving the Blues a 1-0 lead at the break.

After the change of ends, close to the hour, Zebbug defender Joshua Gaku headed into his own goal, in an attempt to clear from a Birzebbuga corner. Zebbug threw the towel as it was all Birzebbuga now in search for a third goal, with Mosquera coming close with two goal attempts on 67 and 72 minutes, the first one a long-distance drive that went wide while Debattista did well to turn the Colombian’s second opportunity into a corner. Two minutes later, Debattista did again well to turn a Scerri attempt into a corner, who was sent in the clear moments before. Two minutes before the end of regular time, Olalekan Opajobi’s free-kick for Zebbug was blocked by veteran Blues goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi while deep into stoppage time, Alex Bruno sealed the Birzebbuga win with a third goal with a fierce header.

Mtarfa 0-8 Sirens
On Sunday, Mtarfa’s struggles deepened as they suffered a crushing 8-0 defeat at the hands of Sirens at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, while Sirens continued their impressive surge up the table. Fresh from last week’s victory over Zurrieq, Sirens registered another emphatic win to move onto 29 points, drawing level with Swieqi United. For Mtarfa however, still on minus two points, it was another painful afternoon to forget.

The opening chance arrived after six minutes and was for Mtarfa when Kalilou Trawally fired well over the bar. Sirens soon took control and opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Trezeguet Zammit tapping in from close range. Moments later, Thiago Nonato doubled the lead after a fine solo run, finishing confidently through the middle. Sirens continued to dominate proceedings and Zammit struck again, placing his shot neatly into the right corner to make it 3–0 before the interval.

The second half resumed in the same vein. Just two minutes after the restart, Zammit completed his hat-trick already with a powerful drive into the left corner. Minutes later, the scoreline worsened for Mtarfa when Luke Camilleri inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net. Thiago Nonato then grabbed his second of the match, beating goalkeeper Jacob Mangion with another composed finish down the middle. Zammit’s remarkable performance continued as he netted his fourth goal of the game, underlining Sirens’ total dominance. Ten minutes from time, substitute Joel Quist rose highest to head home the eighth goal.

Mtarfa had a late chance to claim a consolation, but Trawally failed to convert from the penalty spot in the dying minutes. It was a comprehensive and ruthless display from Sirens, who look increasingly confident as the season reaches its decisive stages, while Mtarfa are left searching for answers after another heavy setback.

Swieqi United 2-1 Fgura United
On Sunday afternoon at the Centenary Stadium, Swieqi United left Ta’ Qali with their fourth consecutive victory, a hard-earned odd goal in three victory over Fgura. An important victory for the team of Liam Mangion, who remain in fourth position in the standings, shared with Sirens, within reach of Melita and Birzebbuga. With 1-0 up, Fgura should have finished off the match after the red-card incident for Swieqi, but instead, Swieqi quite incredibly turned the game around despite being a man down.

Swieqi United 2-1 Fgura United - 15.02.2026 - Photo by Malta FA

Fgura had the best possible start by taking an early eight minute lead through Timmy Akande, whose close-range header had the better of Timmy Aquilina in the Swieqi goal. Play remained rather balanced but on 28 minutes it was again Fgura who came close through an attempt by Karl Formosa, who missed target by an inch with a ferocious attempt. Not much later on the other side, Fgura goalkeeper Gerson Mifsud came to the rescue on a Kian Leonardi opportunity which could have easily meant the equaliser. In stoppage time, Salam Mawuena was close to an equaliser for Swieqi but shot straight at Mifsud from an acute angle, with Fgura going with a minimal advantage into the dressing rooms.

Swieqi’s task to get an equaliser should have become more difficult when, just after the hour, Akande sent Alan Abdel Rahman in the clear, who was brought down by Daniel Agius just outside the area, a clear red card, with Dylan Caruana blasting the resultant free-kick high. But the Owls looked a refreshed lot and scored twice in quick succession quickly after the sending-off. Zak Barbara punished some weak defending in the Fgura box on 69 minutes, flicking the ball home low with a neat corner finish. Four minutes later, Swieqi turned the match around when Leonardi unleashed a diagonal scorcher which totally deceived Mifsud.

Fgura tried to equalise and threatened from a corner kick on 84 minutes with an Adolphus Marshall header forcing Timmy Aquilina for an excellent save. Barely a minute later, Fgura’s Andrew Xuereb was cautioned a second time and giving his marching orders after a reckless tackle in midfield, restoring numerical equilibrium. The late rally of Fgura did not have the desired effect with Swieqi bagging an important three points before the start of the second phase.

Pieta’ Hotspurs 3-1 Zurrieq
At the Sirens Stadium on Saturday, Pieta’ convincingly sealed their Top Eight spot with a rather easy 3-1 win over Zurrieq, with all their goals scored in the first half which made the second half a non-existing contest. The Blues knew that a victory would seal their place in the top half, which means the Hotspurs are still in the running for a promotion slot, albeit trailing Melita eight points. But anything can happen in the last seven remaining league games.

In the eight-minute, Pieta’ were awarded a penalty when Sheldon MacKay brought down Arthur Felippe in the box. The Brazilian stepped up himself and beat Giancarlo Borg in the Zurrieq goal with a classic Panenka. Zurrieq received a further setback when striker Jonathan Monney limped off injured, with young American Wyatt Harding being his replacement. Minutes later, Pieta’ had the same issue with Emmanuel Bio being replaced by Thomas Howland.

Close to the half hour, Sami Abo Assaf found Arthur Felippe with a precise cross from the left flank but the Brazilian concluded his attempt high with Borg already beaten. Pieta’ doubled on 34 minutes thanks to an Owen Magro header, surely one of Pieta’s best players, finishing off neatly from a James Brincat cross. Six minutes later it was 3-0, again through Magro who rose highest, unchallenged, from a Brincat corner-kick. Arthur Felippe should have added a fourth minutes before half-time but his grounder from an ideal angle missed target by an inch.

Seven minutes after the restart, Reeves Cini was called into action for the first time, blocking an attempt by Harding while not much later, Cini did well to save a Leonard Londe attempt. But on 58 minutes, there was nothing Cini could do on a Gabriel Aquilina scorcher from just outside the area, giving Zurrieq a lifeline to get back into the game. With ten minutes regular time left, Magro went close to his hat-trick but his attempt was cleared from the line by Izaak Zammit. By then, the match was already played however, as Zurrieq posed little threat to the Hotspurs rear-guard for the remaining time of the game.

Gudja United 0-0 Mgarr United
With the same kick-off time at the Centenary Stadium, Mgarr United and Gudja United played out a goalless draw in a tightly contested Challenge League encounter, a result which ultimately saw both sides miss out on a place in the Top Eight.

The match produced several notable moments, particularly in the first half as on 14 minutes, Mgarr came close when Brazilian centre-back Lázaro Crescencio rose well to meet a corner, but his header drifted wide of the post. Just two minutes later, Gudja responded through Cesar German Paiber, whose effort struck the upright, denying the visitors the opening goal. Gudja continued to threaten and on 33 minutes they were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Donys Quintero’s attempt was on target, but veteran Mgarr goalkeeper Jonathan Debono reacted well to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The second half maintained a similar tempo, with both sides pushing for the breakthrough. On 50 minutes, Mgarr’s Azriel Borg tested Gudja goalkeeper Glenn Zammit with a low-range shot, but Zammit was equal to the task and made a solid save to keep the score level. As the match entered stoppage time, tempers flared as Mgarr were reduced to ten men when Crescencio was shown a straight red card. Despite being a man down, Mgarr nearly snatched victory late on, but Terence Vella missed a gilt-edged opportunity, shooting wide from close range in front of goal. In the end, neither side was able to score the decisive goal, and the stalemate proved costly as both teams fell short of reaching the Top Eight in the BOV Challenge League standings.

St Andrews 2-1 Santa Lucia
At the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday, St Andrews beat Santa Lucia by the odd goal in three and fully profited from the goalless draw between Gudja and Mgarr United as the team of coach Mauro Delceppo will now take part in the Top Eight competition. A wonderful achievement for the Saints, who are looking to rise a few more places to make it a memorable campaign for them.

It was St Andrews who created the first danger on the fifth minute when veteran Brazilian striker Taylon had his scissor-kick from an ideal position deviated into a corner by Santa Lucia goalkeeper Christopher Farrugia. Luxol kept on looking for that early goal and on 14 minutes, Jack Camilleri had his shot from distance ending high over the bar. Delceppo’s team took the lead on 35 minutes thanks to a wonderful long-distance strike by Michael Zuo which gave Farrugia no chance.

St Andrew gave Santa Lucia simply no chance to equalise as large part of the second half were also dominated by them. They created danger again on the 52nd minute when Taylon fired a wonderful shot from distance which hit the crossbar. They missed another huge opportunity to double the score on the 84th minute when captain Michael Johnson had his shot from close range parried well by Farrugia.

But in added-on time, it was Santa Lucia who almost equalized the score when Rino Ajdini fired a fierce shot, blocked by young St Andrews goalie Sebastian Mifsud. Nonetheless it was St Andrews who doubled the score three minutes into stoppage time when Taylon advanced into the penalty area, firing against the net from close range. Santa Lucia reduced the gap six minutes into stoppage time thanks to Filip Petkovski. But it was too little too late for the Lucians, who however start the Bottom Eight group with a healthy 10 points above the red zone and should be safe from the drop with a couple of victories in their next games.