September 2026
BOV GFA Super Cup (Final) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 4
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
31’ (1-0) Gabriel Vella
65’ (2-0) Patrick Tiengo Vasconcellos
86’ (2-1) penalty David Rajchenberg Gonzalez
88’ (3-1) penalty Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
90’ (4-1) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
Kercem A:
F. Vella, S. Azzopardi (A. Mizzi 76), M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, R. Cicolin Bosquerio, N.C. Severiano (Nenem), I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, R. Saliba (M. Camilelri 80), G. Vella (G.A. Domingues Agrelos 62), D. Bogdanovic, G. Farrugia (P. Tiengo Vasconcellos 46), G. Muscat (M. Cordina 46).
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J. Vella, S.S. Mahlamaki Camacho, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja (M. Bonnici 53), M.J. Barbosa, M. Said (J. Vella 80), G. Hili, B.A. Parada, S.F. Niang, D. Rajchenberg Gonzalez.
The 2026/2027 Gozitan football season officially kicked off with the BOV GFA Super Cup final between last season’s champions Kercem Ajax and last season’s BOV GFA Cup winners Xewkija Tigers, with Kercem Ajax claiming a convincing 4-1 win.
Gozitan football champions Kercem Ajax made an excellent start to the new season by securing a deserved victory over Xewkija Tigers in the BOV GFA Super Cup final. In doing so, Kercem not only won the first major honour of the season, but also confirmed their ambition to be favourites for the other honours in Gozitan football this campaign.
Both teams included several players making their debut, particularly as from this season Gozitan clubs are allowed to field six foreign players. For long periods, Kercem Ajax held the initiative and controlled the match. They opened up a two-goal lead and, although Xewkija reduced the deficit to one goal late in the contest, Kercem pushed forward again in the final minutes and secured the victory with two further unanswered goals.
After the match, the medal presentation and the BOV GFA Super Cup were presented to Kercem Ajax by Mrs Charmaine Borg, Bank of Valletta Regional Manager for Gozo, together with Gozo Football Association President Dr Samuel Azzopardi and officials of the Gozo Football Association.
Timeline
First Half:
Kercem came out more adventurous, but Xewkija were alert in defence and, on a few occasions, managed to launch dangerous counter-attacks. Kercem were rewarded for their efforts by going into the break with a one-goal lead, which came after the half-hour mark.
11’ The first serious action of the match came from Xewkija Tigers, but Brian Parada’s low shot from a good position went wide.
13’ Kercem replied through a close-range effort by Isaias Cruz, which was blocked by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin.
19’ (post) Kercem were very dangerous, but Gabriel Vella’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin with the help of the post, before the defence cleared the danger for a corner.
31’ (1-0) Kercem opened the scoring when Daniel Bogdanovic played the ball into the area and Gabriel Vella broke behind the defence before beating the goalkeeper with a low shot.
39’ Kercem were threatening again through an Isaias Cruz shot from outside the area, but the ball went wide.
42’ In another Kercem move, Nenem had a low shot neutralised on the ground by goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin.
43’ Xewkija could have made better use of an opportunity when Kercem goalkeeper Franklin Vella failed to hold a Matthias Said shot, but the attackers did not capitalise and the defence cleared for a corner.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
The match became more open in the second half, but Kercem maintained their superiority and gave themselves breathing space with a second goal midway through the period. Although Xewkija reduced the score late on, Kercem sealed the result with two goals in quick succession.
5’ Xewkija appealed for a penalty when Brian Parada went down in the area while trying to go past the goalkeeper.
9’ Kercem replied with a Ryan Saliba shot from outside the area, but the ball went wide.
20’ (2-0) Kercem doubled their lead when Patrick Tiengo, who had come on as a substitute at the start of the second half, intercepted a back pass from the defence, entered the area and beat the goalkeeper with a shot into the corner.
23’ Kercem could have increased their advantage when Isaias Cruz entered the area, but his lob from an angled position went across the face of goal.
24’ Xewkija replied with a Brian Parada header, but the ball went over.
30’ The Xewkija goalkeeper was alert and saved Samuel Azzopardi’s long-range effort without difficulty.
35’ Xewkija could have created more danger when Brian Parada controlled Matthias Said’s cross inside the area, but his shot missed the target.
37’ The Xewkija goalkeeper was called into action again, blocking Isaias Cruz’s shot from outside the area.
41’ (2-1) penalty Xewkija reduced the deficit after Romulo Bosqueiro fouled David Rajchenberg, and the samew striker converted from the spot.
42’ (3-1) penalty Kercem immediately restored their two-goal lead after goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin fouled Patrick Tiengo, and Isaias Cruz beat the goalkeeper from the penalty spot.
45’ (4-1) Kercem made sure of the victory when Patrick Tiengo delivered a cross from the left and Isaias Cruznetted with a tap-in.
FT (
KA 4 – XT 1)
Referee: Andrea Naudi
Asst. Referees: Robert Curtis, Slawomir Olucha
4th Official: Ranald Portelli
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