BOV Challenge League MD19 Review: Balzan fall to shock defeat, Zurrieq and Zebbug play out six-goal thriller

Zurrieq FC 3-3 Zebbug Rangers FC - 15.03.2026 - Photos by Malta FA

BOV CHALLENGE LEAGUE 2025/26
MATCHDAY 19

Top Eight
Balzan 1-2 Swieqi United
In the top game of the weekend at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday, Balzan failed to increase their lead at the top with Swieqi United beating the league leaders 2-1 in an entertaining game. The Owls scored the winner late in match and therefore bolstered their promotion credentials.

Swieqi created their first opportunity early on when Salam Mawuena smashed his shot over the bar from just inside the box. Balzan replied on nine minutes when Gabriel Chiemezi had a shot that also went over the bar after a quick move. The team of coach Andrew Cohen had another good chance on 21 minutes when James Scicluna was alone in the box, but his effort was weak and easily blocked.

However, it was Swieqi who took the lead on 33 minutes when Isaac Davey made some space and shot an excellent guided effort into the corner of the net.
Right at the start of the second half, an excellent free kick by  Awosanya Oluwale ended up just wide. Balzan managed to equalise on 71 minutes when a free kick by Oluwale found captain Samir Arab who manged to conclude from close range. Swieqi, realising nothing but a victory counted, scored the decisive goal six minutes from time when they won a penalty which was converted with style by Zak Barbara. A priceless three points for Swieqi who, like last season, are in the race for the honours, just two points behind Balzan with three games to go.

Birzebbuga St Peter’s 2-2 Pietà Hotspurs
In Saturday’s late encounter at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Birzebbuga St Peter’s failed to profit from the latest slipup by leaders Balzan as they were held to a two-all draw by Pietà Hotspurs. Another unexpected setback by the seasiders as they also lost an important two points last week with a similar result against Swieqi.

The Hotspurs started strongly and were the first team to create a chance after just five minutes when Gabriel Xuereb saw his effort end up just over the bar. Birzebbuga replied on 11 minutes when Charles Chibuike had an effort that ended up just over the bar.

Pietà had another good chance on 33 minutes but Arthur Felippe could only drag his shot wide. But it was Birzebbuga who took the lead four minutes later when a cross from the right was bundled into the net by Chibuike after a goalmouth melee’.

The Saints had a glorious chance to make it two at the start of the second half but Paul Lapira, who was in the clear, steered his shot well wide. That miss proved costly as just before the hour, the team of coach Manuel Caruana equalised a James Brincat attempt had a last touch of Birzebbuga defender Juan Andres Bolanos.

Five minutes later, Pietà overturned the result when substitute Shaun Xiberras had a piledriver of a shot that went in after Xuereb saw his effort saved by Julian Azzopardi. The match continued in see saw fashion when on 74 minutes, Birzebbuga pegged back on level terms with a superb effort by Chibuike.

Matters turned worse for Pieta’ on 79 minutes when goalkeeper Reeves Cini was sent off for denying the seasiders an obvious scoring opportunity. Birzebbuga had more chances as they pressed for a winner but in the end Pieta’ held out for an excellent point.

The Saints are still on a runners-up spot, albeit on equal points with Swieqi and with Melita, and even Sirens, back in the fray for promotion, the Challenge League will go into an exciting decisive period after the international break.

Melita 3-0 St Andrews
In last Saturday’s late kick-off at the Centenary Stadium, Melita bounced back from consecutive defeats against Birzebbuga and Pieta’ to return to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 victory over neighbours St Andrews, keeping their promotion hopes firmly alive.

St Andrews signalled their intentions early and came close to opening the scoring after just two minutes. Liam Scicluna found himself in an ideal position, but his effort was dramatically cleared almost off the line by the Melita defence. The Amateurs responded immediately and were unlucky not to take the lead in the fourth minute when Jesus Andres Yepez struck the post.

The team of coach Brian Said continued to dictate proceedings and finally broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. A freekick struck the upright and the rebound fell kindly to Kevin Moreno, who reacted quickest to slot home from close range. Melita doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when, following an inviting cross from Alan Borg Olivier, Moreno rose high to head past goalkeeper Sebastian Mifsud from close range, completing his unusual brace within 17 minutes.

Melita maintained their attacking momentum after the break and sealed the victory in the 49th minute when Kurt Bondin produced a superb free-kick that left Mifsud with no chance, wrapping up a convincing win for Melita.

Next up for Melita, after the international break, are Swieqi United, another mouth-watering derby in this decisive phase of the league.

Sirens 3-2 Fgura United
In the Sunday morning kick-off at the Centenary Stadium, Sirens kept their slim promotion hopes alive with an odd goal in five victory over Fgura United in a high-level entertaining game. An important three points for the St Paul’s Bay based side who are now, with just three matches to go, ranked only four points behind a runners-up spot, good for promotion to the Premier League next month.

During the opening half hour, Sirens had a couple of efforts with a Thiago Nonato shot well saved by Fgura custodian Rudy Briffa and a Jean Borg shot sailing over the bar. Fgura had a powerful Adolphus Marshall header going wide. On 35 minutes, Sirens goalkeeper Ryan Caruana made a great save off a Samuel Buhagiar shot and sixty seconds later, Fgura went close again with a Sergio Mosquera header that just missed the crossbar.

Two minutes before the interval, Sirens broke the deadlock with a slick move inside the Fgura penalty area, with Alan Schembri Wismayer finishing off in style.

At the start of the second half Sirens escaped two close shaves, but then almost scored a second one on 51 minutes with a Trezeguet Zammit header. On 56 minutes Sirens doubled the score with a gem of a goal scored by Thiago Nonato direct from a freekick.

Two minutes later, the team of Kevin Vella were back in business when Buhagiar made his way inside the area and fired a great shot that gave Caruana no chance to save. But their joy was short lived as on the hour, Sirens re-established their two-goal cushion with a breath-taking move between Jean Borg and Thiago Nonato, with Zammit finishing off with a grounder for a very good goal.

Much to their credit, Fgura did not throw in the towel and  pulled back two minutes before the end of regular time through Mosquera after a powerful run down the left flank by Timmy Akande. In the remaining minutes Fgura went close again with an Heytham Abdelghani header but Caruana saved well.

Next up for the team of Steve D’Amato, after two free weekends, are Balzan, and with a positive result against the league leaders, Sirens could even enter the promotion tussle.

Play-Out
Mgarr United 1-1 Vittoriosa Stars
On Sunday, Mgarr United drew 1-1 with Vittoriosa Stars at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, two points short for the Cottonera side who may feel disappointed as they created several chances to bag a priceless victory. While Mgarr are safe and sound from the drop, the Stars were in greater need of points, currently lying fourth from bottom in the league table.

The match started at a lively pace, with the first opportunity arriving after just two minutes. Mgarr midfielder Sean Agius tried his luck with a shot from outside the area, but his effort sailed inches wide. Vittoriosa replied shortly afterwards when Luca Mallia fired a close-range shot, but goalkeeper Miguel Chetcuti produced a superb save to turn the ball into a corner.

Just before the break, Mgarr managed to break the deadlock. Matthias Fenech unleashed a powerful screamer from outside the box which found the back of the net. Vittoriosa almost equalised in stoppage time of the first half when Isaiah Micallef met the ball with a header destined for the right corner, but Chetcuti once again produced an excellent save.

After the restart, Vittoriosa came out determined and took control of the match. Blessing Brafo and Julius Babatola both had attempts on goal but failed to hit the target. The pressure continued as Samuel Boakye struck a powerful shot which Chetcuti bravely pushed out for a corner.

Vittoriosa finally found a deserved equaliser when Shaun Carabott scored directly from a corner kick, his effort hitting the post before crossing the line. Shortly afterwards, Brafo had a golden opportunity to give his side the lead but, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, failed to capitalise.

With five points above the red zone, Vittoriosa can prolong their Challenge League stay with another season by beating Mtarfa on Wednesday night 1 April, providing Marsa and Zebbug fail to beat Zurrieq and Gudja respectively.  

Gudja United 3-0 Mtarfa
On Sunday, Gudja returned to winning ways with an easy 3-0 victory over already relegated Mtarfa at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. While Mtarfa’s disappointing run of form continued, eleven games without a win and eight consecutive games without scoring, Gudja coach Orosco Anonam rested several regulars in this match with nothing but pride at stake.

Gudja started the match on the front foot and produced the first shot on target after eight minutes when Andrea Mizzi tried his luck from a direct free kick, but goalkeeper Jacob Mangion saved into a corner. Moments later, Gudja broke the deadlock as Raul Formosa struck a grounded shot from outside the area that found the back of the net.

In the 26th minute Gudja doubled their advantage when Joseph Agbakwuru was brought down inside the area. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Haruna Shola Shodiya made no mistake, converting with a powerful shot into the right corner.

After the break, Mtarfa tried to react and came close to reducing the deficit when Jade Clarke fired an angled effort that skimmed the crossbar. Kalilou Trawally also threatened with a solo run, but his shot struck the side netting.

Gudja sealed the victory on the counterattack when Agbakwuru finished with a simple tap-in following a well-timed cross by Andres Paiber, putting the result beyond doubt and securing a comfortable win for his side.

Zurrieq 3-3 Zebbug Rangers
Billy Mock’s Zebbug Rangers lost two precious points in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Zurrieq at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday, with the latter staging a very good late comeback. Most definitely two points lost in an absorbing battle with Marsa to avoid the drop into the BOV Amateur League I.

Zurrieq FC 3-3 Zebbug Rangers FC - 15.03.2026 - Photo by Malta FA

Zebbug had a dream start taking the lead after barely four minutes with an Olalekan Opajobi header from a corner action. Three minutes later Zebbug almost doubled the score but Jurgen Borg twice denied Shedrack Thomas with spectacular saves.

The Rangers continued to dictate matters with Borg again in action saving an Opajobi dipper. On the half hour, Zurrieq drew level thanks to an impressive strike from Sheldon Mackay that finished in the top corner. But four minutes later, the Yellow-Greens were back in front with another great strike, this time from Isaac Chetcuti who scored from an almost impossible angle. On 42 minutes Zurrieq close again but Leonard Londe’s effort was cleared off the goal line.

Three minutes into the second half Zebbug were again on the mark when a Joshua Gaku drive was partially saved by Borg and Nathan Sultana was on hand to hit home. On 62 minutes Zurrieq pulled one back, with yet another great goal scored by Sebastian Grech with a superb long-distance shot.

Zurrieq pushed everything forward and were unlucky on 79 minutes when a Mackay shot slammed against the upright. Five minutes from time Zurrieq drew level when Mackay crossed towards Londe who fired in the roof of the net. The Rangers did try to get the full three points with a late rally but had to settle for a point. Thanks to this result, Zurrieq are the fourth team to be mathematically save from the drop, along with Mgarr, Gudja and Santa Lucia.

Santa Lucia 0-1 Marsa
At the Centenary Stadium on Saturday, Marsa secured a hard-fought victory over Santa Lucia, edging their opponents 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter where clear-cut chances were few and far between. A priceless three points for the team of Ryan Fenech, who keep on hoping to play Challenge League football next season.

The opening stages of the match were largely balanced, with both sides struggling to create meaningful opportunities. It was not until the 38th minute that the first real chance of the game materialised, and it fell to Santa Lucia. Matthias Vella tried his luck with a powerful effort from distance, forcing Amara Sylla into action. The Marsa goalkeeper reacted well, diverting the shot behind for a corner and preserving the deadlock.

However, it was Marsa who managed to break the deadlock just two minutes later, when Neil Demanuele unleashed a fierce long-range strike that flew past Santa Lucia goalkeeper Christopher Farrugia, leaving him with no chance and giving Marsa a valuable lead heading into the interval.

The Lucians attempted to respond after the break and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Their best opportunity came in the 67th minute when substitute Bahri Hannan attempted an ambitious effort from distance, but his shot sailed high and failed to trouble the Marsa defence.

Marsa believed they had doubled their advantage in the 81st minute following another attacking move initiated by Demanuele. His powerful shot from outside the area was partially parried by Farrugia, with Luke Anthony Micallef reacting quickly to convert the rebound. However, their celebrations were cut short as the official in charge ruled the goal out for offside. Despite the late setback, Marsa held firm in the closing stages to secure a narrow but important victory and claim all three points.