15 March 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 16) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
Xewkija Tigers FC : 2
27’ (1-0) Gabriel Vella
41’ (2-0) Andrew Mizzi
55’ (2-1) Angel Manuel Bustos
66’ (3-1) penalty Natal Cidcley Saveriano (Nenem)
90+3’ (3-2) penalty Abou Toure
Kercem A:
F. Vella, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, J. Theuma (M. Camilleri 58), N.C. Saveriano (Nenem), R. Saliba, G. Vella (L. Atzori 79), A. Mizzi (G. Muscat 65), A. Xuereb, R. Cicolin Bosquerio, S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza.
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, J. Vella, I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella (D. Bugeja 73), J. Buttigieg (M. Bonnici 73), G. Hili (M. Said 53), A.M. Bustos, J. Farrugia, C.D. Frances, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos, A. Toure.
League leaders Kercem Ajax are now very close to being mathematically crowned Gozo First Division champions this season after earning three crucial points with a 3–1 victory over second-placed Xewkija Tigers. With this win, Kercem extended their lead over Xewkija to ten points, with each team having four matches left to play. This was Xewkija’s third consecutive defeat, despite having been among the main title challengers for most of the season.
Kercem’s victory was well deserved and confirmed the improvement they have shown since the first match of the second round, when they began a series of consecutive wins — including direct clashes against their closest rivals — while also capitalising on their challengers’ dropped points. This allowed them to build the advantage that now puts them on the brink of achieving an ambition they have awaited for forty years. In this match, Kercem built a two-goal lead in the first half, and although Xewkija pulled one back early in the second half, Kercem restored their two-goal cushion and managed the game confidently until the end.
Both teams were missing regular players due to suspensions and injuries. However, the most notable absences were the two strikers dominating the league’s top-scorer standings: Xewkija’s Brian Parada (suspended) and Kercem’s Andre Martins (injured).
Timeline
First Half:
Both teams began cautiously, with play concentrated mainly in midfield. However, once Kercem opened the scoring, Xewkija failed to react, allowing Kercem to take control and eventually add a second goal before half-time.
6’ Xewkija created the first serious chance through a shot by Manuel Bustos, but the effort finished wide.
17’ (protests for penalty) Kercem appealed for a penalty when Nenem fell inside the box, but the referee instead awarded a foul against the attacker for simulation.
20’ The same Kercem striker, Nenem, won the ball after a midfield mistake and advanced towards goal, but his shot from a good position was saved by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis.
26’ Xewkija threatened with a shot by Josiah Buttigieg that missed the target.
27’ (1–0) Kercem opened the scoring when Isaias Cruz advanced centrally and released Gabriel Vella, who anticipated the goalkeeper’s exit and placed the ball into the net.
41’ (2–0) Kercem doubled their lead when Nenem penetrated the box and squared the ball to Andrew Mizzi, who was unmarked and finished into the corner.
HT (2–0)
Second Half:
Xewkija started the second half with more determination and managed to reduce the deficit, but Kercem restored their two-goal lead midway through the half and remained in control until the final whistle.
4’ Xewkija went close again, but a long-range effort by Brenner finished wide.
10’ (2–1) Xewkija got back into the match when, from a corner taken by Claudio Frances, the defence failed to clear and Manuel Bustos headed the ball into the net.
19’ (3–1) Penalty Kercem scored their third goal from the penalty spot after Ian Xuereb fouled Gabriel Vella. Nenem converted confidently from eleven metres.
27’ Kercem almost extended their lead when Isaias Cruz headed just wide from a corner delivered by Nenem.
31’ Kercem goalkeeper Franklin Vella produced an important save to block a long-range shot by Claudio Frances.
45+2’ (3–2) Penalty Xewkija reduced the score late on when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Gianluca Muscat on Matthias Bonnici. Abou Toure scored from the spot.
FT (KA 3 – XT 2)
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Asst. Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo
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