Group B winners Zebbug Rangers were crowned BOV Challenge League champions after they defeated Pembroke Athleta – winners of Group A – 5-3 on penalties at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday. The score at the end of the ninety minutes and extra-time was 1-1.
Erikys da Silva Ferreira put Pembroke ahead on the 11th minute but eleven minutes from time, Shalon Diacono levelled matters to force extra-time.
With no goals being scored in extra-time, the penalty shoot-out had to determine the winner with Zebbug scoring five through Liam Gauci, Jonatan Silveira da Silva, Randall Vella, Yanis Tonna and Gaetano Gesualdi and Pembroke having one by Weverton Gomes parried by Zebbug goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi with Samuel Buhagiar, James Brincat and Stefan Jankovic scoring their penalties.
Charles Azzopardi, Head CSR and Communications at Bank of Valletta and Dr Matthew Paris, Vice-President of the Malta Football Association presented the BOV Challenge League Cup to the newly crowned Champions.
Bank of Valletta’s support of Football and major sports initiatives in Malta forms part of its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) commitment.
Apart from Zebbug Rangers and Pembroke Athleta, Marsaxlokk and Pieta’ Hotspurs were also promoted from the Challenge League to the Premier League.
