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:

class=notpageimage|
Location of teams in 2023–24 Maltese Challenge League
Team Location Manager
Attard Attard Malta Robert Magro
Fgura United Fgura Malta Kevin Vella
Lija Athletic Lija Malta Joseph Galea
Luqa St. Andrew's Luqa Malta Edmond Lufi
Marsa Marsa Nigeria Orosco Anonam
Melita San Ġiljan Malta Clive Mizzi
Msida Saint-Joseph Msida Malta Neville Galea
Pietà Hotspurs Pietà Malta Manuel Caruana
Senglea Athletic Senglea Malta Liam Mangion
St. Andrews St. Andrew's, Malta Montenegro Vesko Petrovic
Swieqi United Swieqi Argentina Pablo Doffo
Tarxien Rainbows Tarxien Malta Jacques Scerri
Żabbar St. Patrick Zabbar Argentina Emilio Cornago San Pedro
Żebbuġ Rangers Żebbuġ Malta Rodney Bugeja
Żejtun Corinthians Zejtun Malta Ivan Casha
Żurrieq Żurrieq Malta 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 Malta Saviour Debono Grech End of Contract 24 April 2023 Pre-season Malta Clive Mizzi 25 May 2023
Marsa Malta Ryan Fenech End of Caretaker Nigeria Orosco Anonam 15 May 2023
Żurrieq Malta George Magri Resign 29 April 2023 Malta Saviour Debono Grech 10 May 2023
Żabbar St. Patrick Argentina Emilio Cornago End of Caretaker 2 May 2023 Malta Joseph Spiteri 20 May 2023
Żebbuġ Rangers Malta Brian Spiteri End of Contract 3 May 2023 Malta Rodney Bugeja 19 May 2023
Pietà Hotspurs Malta Rodney Bugeja 6 May 2023 Malta Manuel Caruana 26 May 2023
St. Andrews Malta Brian Said 7 May 2023 Malta Ramon Zammit 13 May 2023
Żejtun Corinthians Nigeria Orosco Anonam 15 May 2023 Malta Ivan Casha 29 May 2023
Swieqi United Malta Stephen Damato Signed by Sirens 24 May 2023 Argentina Pablo Doffo 26 May 2023
St. Andrews Malta Ramon Zammit Sacked 21 October 2023 13th Malta Charles Muscat (Caretaker) 21 October 2023
Senglea Athletic Malta Edgar Degabriele 21 November 2023 10th Malta Liam Mangion 30 November 2023
St. Andrews Malta Charles Muscat End of Caretaker 21 January 2024 15th Montenegro 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 Yellow card 51'
  • Clyde CumboYellow card 68'
  • Luke Grech Yellow card 70'
  • Matthew Muscat Yellow card 79'
  • Brayan Samuel Nyetam Junior 118'
  • Omar KhatibYellow card 84'
  • Alan Abdel Rahman Yellow card 86'
  • Fabien Lufi Red card
 Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli

Season statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

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

Hat-tricks

Player For Against Result Stadium Date
Brazil Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa Melita Msida Saint-Joseph 4-0 (H) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 1 October 2023
Argentina Santiago Fabian Moracci Tarxien Rainbows Attard 4-2 (H) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 22 October 2023
Argentina Augusto Rene' Caseres Marsa 6-0 (A) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 4 November 2023
Portugal Ivan Sousa Flora Francisco Żurrieq St. Andrews 3-2 (A) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 2 December 2023
Brazil Pavlidis Claudio Antunes Pieta Hotspurs Marsa 3-1 (A) 10 December 2023
Brazil Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa4 Melita Fgura United 4-4 (A) 17 December 2023
Argentina Augusto Rene' Caseres Marsa St. Andrews 4-1 (A) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 27 January 2024
Trinidad and Tobago Rundell Winchester Tarxien Rainbows Lija Athletic 4-0 (A) 11 February 2024
Venezuela Donys Aldair Quintero Maldonado Marsa Senglea Athletic 4-1 (H) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 6 April 2024
Malta Johann Bezzina Żebbuġ Rangers Attard 6-0 (A) Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun 7 April 2024
Brazil David Oliveira Souza Żabbar St. Patrick Żurrieq 4-1 (A) Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali 21 April 2024
Malta 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 Malta Matthew Grech Żabbar St. Patrick 13
2 Malta Gosef Mizzi Melita 12
Malta Glenn Zammit Senglea Athletic
4 Malta Andreas Vella Tarxien Rainbows 11
5 Malta Jamie Azzopardi Zebbug Rangers 9
6 Malta Christopher Farrugia Marsa 8
Malta Frederick Tabone Zejtun Corinthians
8 Malta Reeves Cini Pieta Hotspurs 7
Malta Jean Claude Debattista Swieqi United
Malta Ryan Caruana Zurrieq

Discipline

Player

  • Most yellow cards: 12
    • Colombia Camilo Del Castillo Escobar (Attard)
  • Most red cards: 2
    • Brazil Lucas Vinicius Viana Prati (Lija Athletic)
    • Malta 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.