2023–24 Maltese Challenge League

Maltese Challenge League
Season2023–24
Dates16 September 2023 – 5 May 2024
ChampionsMelita
PromotedMelita
Żabbar St. Patrick
RelegatedAttard
Luqa St. Andrew's
Msida Saint-Joseph
Żejtun Corinthians
Matches played195
Goals scored501 (2.57 per match)
Top goalscorerAndre Carlos Penha Da Costa
(17 Goals)
Biggest home winŻebbuġ Rangers 6-0 Msida Saint-Joseph
(17 March 2024)
Melita 5-1 Pietà Hotspurs
(27 April 2024)
Biggest away winAttard 0-6 Żebbuġ Rangers
(7 April 2024)
Highest scoringFgura United 4-4 Melita
(17 December 2023)
Longest winning runMelita
(7 Games)
Longest unbeaten runSenglea Athletic
(12 Games)
Longest winless runMsida Saint-Joseph
(13 Games)
Longest losing runMsida Saint-Joseph
(11 Games)
All statistics correct as of 5 May 2024.

The 2023–24 Maltese Challenge League (referred to as the BOV Challenge League for sponsorship reasons) is the second-level league football in Malta. It is the fourth season that the competition has been running in its present form.

The top two teams (Melita and Żabbar St. Patrick) were promoted to the 2024–25 Maltese Premier League. The bottom four teams (Msida Saint-Joseph and three others) will be relegated to the 2024–25 Maltese National Amateur League.

Teams

The league consisted of sixteen teams; ten teams remaining from the previous season, four teams promoted from the 2022-23 Maltese National Amateur League, and two teams relegated from the 2022-23 Maltese Premier League.

Team changes

The following teams have changed divisions since the 2022–23 season:

Location of teams in 2023–24 Maltese Challenge League
Team Location Manager
Attard Attard Robert Magro
Fgura United Fgura Kevin Vella
Lija Athletic Lija Joseph Galea
Luqa St. Andrew's Luqa Edmond Lufi
Marsa Marsa Orosco Anonam
Melita San Ġiljan Clive Mizzi
Msida Saint-Joseph Msida Neville Galea
Pietà Hotspurs Pietà Manuel Caruana
Senglea Athletic Senglea Liam Mangion
St. Andrews St. Andrew's, Malta Vesko Petrovic
Swieqi United Swieqi Pablo Doffo
Tarxien Rainbows Tarxien Jacques Scerri
Żabbar St. Patrick Zabbar Emilio Cornago San Pedro
Żebbuġ Rangers Żebbuġ Rodney Bugeja
Żejtun Corinthians Zejtun Ivan Casha
Żurrieq Żurrieq Saviour Debono Grech

Kits

Team Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (front) Shirt sponsor (back) Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
Attard Givova Bilven Ltd, Searched A to Z Electronics (Both)
Fgura United Adidas Fundazzjoni Sebħ, Trust Stamp, Euro Bridge, Iveco (Top Left) EuroSport (Top), Rad Auto Dealer (Bottom) Fundazzjoni Sebħ (Right), Hair Haven (Left)
Lija Athletic Macron Falzon Group Of Companies TeamSport (Top), La Crema (Bottom)
Luqa St. Andrew's Macron Seduta Construction Bilon Service (Right)
Marsa Legea F Schembri
Melita Hummel Atlas Insurance Hub88 (Top), Burger King (Middle) Eurosport (Bottom) I nouv (Right), VIBE (Left)
Msida Saint-Joseph Legea C.A.M.C. Security, MTZ Group (Top Left) Sports Locker (Top), The Tub (Bottom) Cuschieri Group (Left), KF Kebab (Right)
Pietà Hotspurs Jartazi Famalco.net, A1 Supplies, Xuereb Installation Farstone Construction (Top)
Senglea Athletic Givova Palumbo, AUM, JCJuc Ltd
St. Andrews Macron Fiat, Frank Salt atg (Left), Marsali (Right)
Swieqi United Erima Platin P Casino, BEHR Eight Four Capital (Top)
Tarxien Rainbows Erreà Cassar, Dee Spas Cargo Nigel (Bottom) AEN (Right)
Żabbar St. Patrick Erreà The Shoreline DL Group (Top), Kristal (Bottom)
Żebbuġ Rangers Joma The Convenience Shop, Coop Italia
Żejtun Corinthians Erreà Inno-Hit Magic Castle (Right)
Żurrieq Erima Trust Payment Xace (Top), Corendion, D£, B.home (Bottom) Tax ORB (Left), Firetech (Right)

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of
departure 		Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Melita Saviour Debono Grech End of Contract 24 April 2023 Pre-season Clive Mizzi 25 May 2023
Marsa Ryan Fenech End of Caretaker Orosco Anonam 15 May 2023
Żurrieq George Magri Resign 29 April 2023 Saviour Debono Grech 10 May 2023
Żabbar St. Patrick Emilio Cornago End of Caretaker 2 May 2023 Joseph Spiteri 20 May 2023
Żebbuġ Rangers Brian Spiteri End of Contract 3 May 2023 Rodney Bugeja 19 May 2023
Pietà Hotspurs Rodney Bugeja 6 May 2023 Manuel Caruana 26 May 2023
St. Andrews Brian Said 7 May 2023 Ramon Zammit 13 May 2023
Żejtun Corinthians Orosco Anonam 15 May 2023 Ivan Casha 29 May 2023
Swieqi United Stephen Damato Signed by Sirens 24 May 2023 Pablo Doffo 26 May 2023
St. Andrews Ramon Zammit Sacked 21 October 2023 13th Charles Muscat (Caretaker) 21 October 2023
Senglea Athletic Edgar Degabriele 21 November 2023 10th Liam Mangion 30 November 2023
St. Andrews Charles Muscat End of Caretaker 21 January 2024 15th Vesko Petrovic 21 January 2024

Venues

On 29 January 2024. The Malta Football Association introduced another three stadiums Charles Abela Stadium, Luxol Stadium and Sirens Stadium due to the final fixture of the first round that played five matches at the same time.[1]

Pembroke Mosta San Pawl il-Baħar Ta' Qali Hamrun
Luxol Stadium Charles Abela Stadium Sirens Stadium Centenary Stadium Victor Tedesco Stadium
Capacity: 600 Capacity: 700 Capacity: 800 Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 1,962

Regular season

During the regular season, each team plays each other once (either at home or at away). The top six teams qualify for the Top Six, while the bottom ten teams qualify for the Play-Out.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Żabbar St. Patrick 15 10 3 2 21 9 +12 33 Qualification for the Top Six
2 Melita 15 9 4 2 32 21 +11 31
3 Senglea Athletic 15 8 5 2 20 9 +11 29
4 Marsa 15 8 4 3 32 17 +15 28
5 Pietà Hotspurs 15 8 3 4 23 13 +10 27
6 Żurrieq 15 8 3 4 18 17 +1 27
7 Fgura United 15 8 2 5 32 25 +7 26 Qualification for the Play-Out
8 Lija Athletic 15 6 4 5 26 24 +2 22
9 Swieqi United 15 5 6 4 18 16 +2 21
10 Tarxien Rainbows 15 3 8 4 16 14 +2 17
11 Żejtun Corinthians 15 4 5 6 17 18 −1 17
12 Luqa St. Andrew's 15 4 4 7 21 24 −3 16
13 St. Andrews 15 3 2 10 14 28 −14 11
14 Żebbuġ Rangers 15 2 4 9 11 27 −16 10
15 Attard 15 1 5 9 14 33 −19 8
16 Msida Saint-Joseph 15 2 0 13 9 29 −20 6
Source: Malta Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Play-offs (only if needed to decide champions or teams for relegation).

Results

Home \ Away ATT FGU LJA LQA MSA MEL MSI PIE SEN STA SWQ TAR ZAB ZEB ZEJ ZUR
Attard — 1–2 2–3 — 0–6 — — 2–1 — 1–1 — — 0–3 — 1–1 —
Fgura United — — 3–0 — 1–2 4–4 — 0–4 — 2–0 1–3 — 2–3 — — —
Lija Athletic — — — 3–1 — 2–3 3–2 — 0–2 — 2–2 0–0 — — 4–1 4–0
Luqa St. Andrew's 4–1 0–3 — — — — — — — 2–2 2–2 4–2 1–3 — 2–0 —
Marsa — — 3–0 1–0 — 3–3 — 1–3 2–1 — — — 4–1 2–0 — 1–2
Melita 1–0 — — 2–1 — — 4–0 — — — 4–1 2–1 — 2–1 0–0 2–0
Msida Saint-Joseph 2–1 0–1 — 0–1 2–0 — — — — — 1–3 0–2 — — 0–4 —
Pietà Hotspurs — — 2–2 1–0 — 2–2 1–0 — 0–1 0–1 — — — 2–0 — 2–0
Senglea Athletic 2–0 3–3 — 2–2 — 2–0 1–0 — — — — 0–0 — — 2–0 0–1
St. Andrews — — 1–2 — 1–4 0–3 3–2 — 0–1 — — 0–3 — 3–1 — 2–3
Swieqi United 1–1 — — — 0–0 — — 1–2 1–1 2–0 — — 1–0 0–1 — —
Tarxien Rainbows 4–2 0–1 — — 3–3 — — 0–1 — — 0–0 — — — 0–0 0–0
Żabbar St. Patrick — — 1–0 — — 4–0 1–0 1–0 0–0 1–0 — 1–1 — 1–0 — —
Żebbuġ Rangers 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 — — 3–0 — 0–2 — — 0–0 — — — 0–5
Żejtun Corinthians — 3–2 — — 0–0 — — 2–2 — 1–0 0–1 — 0–1 4–1 — —
Żurrieq 1–1 1–4 — 1–0 — — 1–0 — — — 1–0 — 0–0 — 2–1 —
Source: Malta Football Association
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Second phase

Top Six

The top six teams from the regular season face each other twice more (once at home and once away), with the top two teams earning promotion to the 2024–25 Maltese Premier League. Results from the regular season were carried over into this round.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Melita (C) 25 18 5 2 56 24 +32 59 Promotion to the 2024–25 Maltese Premier League
2 Żabbar St. Patrick (P) 25 15 6 4 38 20 +18 51
3 Marsa 25 11 7 7 44 30 +14 40
4 Pietà Hotspurs 25 11 5 9 35 31 +4 38
5 Senglea Athletic 25 9 8 8 28 27 +1 35
6 Żurrieq 25 10 5 10 27 36 −9 35
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source: Malta Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Play-offs (only if needed to decide champions).
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Results

Home \ Away MSA MEL PIE SEN ZAB ZUR
Marsa — 0–4 3–0 4–1 1–3 0–0
Melita 1–0 — 5–1 2–1 1–1 5–0
Pietà Hotspurs 1–1 0–1 — 4–2 3–1 2–0
Senglea Athletic 0–0 0–1 1–0 — 0–0 0–3
Żabbar St. Patrick 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 — 2–0
Żurrieq 1–3 0–2 3–0 1–1 1–4 —
Updated to match(es) played on 7 April 2024. Source: Malta Football Association
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Play-Out

The bottom ten teams from the regular season face each other for the second time (either at home or away), with the bottom four teams being relegated to the 2024–25 Maltese National Amateur League. Results from the regular season were carried over into this round.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Relegation
1 Swieqi United 24 10 8 6 34 23 +11 38
2 Fgura United 24 10 7 7 39 32 +7 37
3 Lija Athletic 24 9 5 10 31 44 −13 32
4 Tarxien Rainbows 24 7 10 7 30 15 +15 31
5 Żebbuġ Rangers 24 8 5 11 36 34 +2 29
6 St. Andrews[a] 24 7 7 10 29 34 −5 28
7 Luqa St. Andrew's[a] (R) 24 7 7 10 32 40 −8 28 Relegation to the 2024–25 Maltese National Amateur League
8 Żejtun Corinthians (R) 24 6 9 9 23 24 −1 27
9 Attard (R) 24 4 6 14 25 46 −21 18
10 Msida Saint-Joseph (R) 24 2 2 20 16 53 −37 8
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source: Malta Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Play-offs (only if needed to decide teams for relegation).
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b St. Andrews and Luqa St. Andrew's finished equal on points, A play-off decider determines the loser will be Relegation to the 2024–25 Maltese National Amateur League.

Results

Home \ Away ATT FGU LJA LQA MSI STA SWQ TAR ZEB ZEJ
Attard — — — 1–2 — — — 1–0 0–6 0–1
Fgura United 1–0 — 1–1 0–1 — — 1–1 — — 1–1
Lija Athletic 0–2 — — — — — — 0–4 0–4 1–0
Luqa St. Andrew's — — 0–1 — 2–0 2–2 0–4 — — —
Msida Saint-Joseph 1–1 2–2 0–2 — — 1–3 2–3 — — —
St. Andrews 2–1 0–0 5–0 — — — 0–0 1–0 — —
Swieqi United 0–2 — 4–0 — — — — 0–1 3–1 —
Tarxien Rainbows — 0–1 — 3–3 3–1 — — — 3–1 0–0
Żebbuġ Rangers — 1–0 — 4–0 6–0 1–1 — — — 1–0
Żejtun Corinthians — — — 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 — — —
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2024. Source: Malta Football Association
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Relegation tie-breaker

With both St. Andrews and Luqa St. Andrew's level on 28 points, a play-off match was conducted to the looser will be Relegation to the 2024–25 Maltese National Amateur League.

5 May 2024 St. Andrews 1–0 (a.e.t.)Luqa St. Andrew'sTa' Qali
15:00 CEST
  • Luke Anthony Borg  51'
  • Clyde Cumbo 68'
  • Luke Grech  70'
  • Matthew Muscat  79'
  • Brayan Samuel Nyetam Junior 118'
  • Omar Khatib 84'
  • Alan Abdel Rahman  86'
  • Fabien Lufi
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli

Season statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

As of 28 April 2024[2]
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa Melita 17
2 Augusto Rene' Caseres Marsa 13
Duvan Mosquera Torres Zebbug Rangers
4 Bledi Alla Attard 12
Ofufu Ibeh Fgura United
6 Camilo Andres Sanchez Gonzales Luqa St. Andrews 11
7 Erjon Beu Lija Athletic 10
Alan Abdel Rahman Luqa St. Andrews
David Oliveira Souza Zabbar St.Patrick
10 Johan Alberto Castano Fgura United 9
Pavlidis Claudio Antunes Pieta Hotspurs
Ivan Sousa Flora Francisco Zurrieq

Hat-tricks

Player For Against Result Stadium Date
Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa Melita Msida Saint-Joseph 4-0 (H) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 1 October 2023
Santiago Fabian Moracci Tarxien Rainbows Attard 4-2 (H) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 22 October 2023
Augusto Rene' Caseres Marsa 6-0 (A) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 4 November 2023
Ivan Sousa Flora Francisco Żurrieq St. Andrews 3-2 (A) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 2 December 2023
Pavlidis Claudio Antunes Pieta Hotspurs Marsa 3-1 (A) 10 December 2023
Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa4 Melita Fgura United 4-4 (A) 17 December 2023
Augusto Rene' Caseres Marsa St. Andrews 4-1 (A) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 27 January 2024
Rundell Winchester Tarxien Rainbows Lija Athletic 4-0 (A) 11 February 2024
Donys Aldair Quintero Maldonado Marsa Senglea Athletic 4-1 (H) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 6 April 2024
Johann Bezzina Żebbuġ Rangers Attard 6-0 (A) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 7 April 2024
David Oliveira Souza Żabbar St. Patrick Żurrieq 4-1 (A) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 21 April 2024
William James England St. Andrews Lija Athletic 5-0 (H) Sirens Stadium, San Pawl il-Baħar 28 April 2024
Notes

4 Player scored 4 goals

Clean sheets

Rank Player Club Clean sheets
1 Matthew Grech Żabbar St. Patrick 13
2 Gosef Mizzi Melita 12
Glenn Zammit Senglea Athletic
4 Andreas Vella Tarxien Rainbows 11
5 Jamie Azzopardi Zebbug Rangers 9
6 Christopher Farrugia Marsa 8
Frederick Tabone Zejtun Corinthians
8 Reeves Cini Pieta Hotspurs 7
Jean Claude Debattista Swieqi United
Ryan Caruana Zurrieq

Discipline

Player

  • Most yellow cards: 12
    • Camilo Del Castillo Escobar (Attard)
  • Most red cards: 2
    • Lucas Vinicius Viana Prati (Lija Athletic)
    • Josmar Galea (Żejtun Corinthians)

Club

References

  1. ^ "BOV Challenge League match day 15 fixtures released". maltafootball.com. 29 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Tables & Statistics". maltafootball.com. 20 September 2020.
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