Mġarr United stun reigning title holders Swieqi United in a thrilling Assikura Women’s League opener
Defending champions Swieqi United began their title defence with a setback, falling 2-0 to last season’s runners-up Mġarr United.
Ryan Vella’s side featured just one new face in the starting line-up from last season, French forward Josline N’Guessan, who wasted no time in making an impact. She struck after 14 minutes to hand Mġarr the lead before Colombian striker Alejandra Villegas doubled the advantage 10 minutes later.
Late on, Gaia Antonelli also made her debut for the Greens, who underlined their credentials as serious title contenders.
Swieqi, led by coach Dorianne Theuma, lined up with the same core that featured in this summer’s UEFA Women’s Champions League, though defender Rafanny remained sidelined through injury.
MĠARR UNITED 2-0 SWIEQI UNITED
J. N’Guessan 14. A. Villegas 24.
MĠARR UNITED
G. D’Antuono, A. Camilleri, A. Villegas, M. Debono, Y. Carella (86 K. Sciberras), L. Cefai, V. Villegas (85 G. Antonelli), Y. Mendez, R. Bajada, J. N’Guessan, A. Grech.
Coach:Ryan Vella.
SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; V. Rapa, E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, A. Yaneva, S. Zammit (75 E. Micallef), J. Schembri (63 S. Urpani), T. Falzon. A. Kricak, M. Cachia, S. Saliba.
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.
Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo
Hibernians opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over San Ġwann, courtesy of two second-half goals.
The Paolites, now under the guidance of former player Martina Borg, handed debuts to several summer signings including goalkeeper Maya Cachia, defender Calista Schechinger, Laura Muscat, Lisa Calleja and Francesca Bartolo.
Kayleigh Chetcuti broke the deadlock in the 67th minute before captain Nicole Sciberras sealed the victory, ensuring Borg’s reign started on a positive note.
SAN ĠWANN 0-2 HIBERNIANS
K. Chetcuti 67, N. Sciberras 70.
SAN GWANN
J. Caruana; A. Rapa, M. Kasim, S. Blihi, L. Vella, N. Blundell, F. Al Girbi (46 R. Borg), M. Fanega, K. Paris (76 T. Muscat), H. Russell, R. Zerafa (62 N. Addo).
Coach: Julian Camilleri.
HIBERNIANS
M. Cachia; N. Geren. C. Schechinger, A. Galea (46 Y. Attard), J. Dimech, K. Chetcuti, G. Mifsud (78 F. Bartolo, N. Celeste (46 L. Muscat), L. Ayres (68 L. Calleja), N. Sciberras, I. Farrugia (68 O. Nazarko).
Coach: Martina Borg.
Referee: Stefania Bonnici
Birkirkara began the season in dominant fashion with a 5-1 win over newcomers Valletta.
The Stripes were boosted by the long-awaited return of captain Stephania Farrugia, who marked her comeback from a serious knee injury with a brace. New signing Maya Pellegrini, formerly of Chile’s youth national team, also scored twice on her debut, while Gabriella Zahra added the fifth.
Coach Billy Mock also introduced fresh recruits Amy Busuttil, Eunice Micallef and Ylenia Grech.
Valletta’s consolation came through Brazilian forward Joelma, who later saw red.
BIRKIRKARA 5-1 VALLETTA
S. Farrugia 29, 73 pen.; G. Zahra 52, M. Pellegrini 84, 88.
BIRKIRKARA
J. Xuereb (82 J. Zarb); G. Zahra, L. Azzopardi (46 S. Francalanza), S. Farrugia, A. Busuttil, E. Micallef (55 K. Sacco), Y. Grech (66 A. Vassallo), M. Pellegrini, A. Mercieca (46 I. Stringer), M. Cardona, I. Camilleri.
Coach: William Mock.
VALLETTA
G. Grima; S. Fenech (75 L. Carabott), E. Marmara, M. Belkis (46 D. Fenech), Joelma, L. Zolorsano, H. Fenech, M. Abdilla (62 S. Muscat), J. Camilleri (46 L. Cassar), I. Sultana, S. Bugeja.
Coach: Anthony Cremona.
Referee: Paula Buttigieg.
Assikura Women’s League | Matchday 1 – Numbers & Milestones
The 2025/26 Assikura Women’s League kicked off with an eventful opening weekend, delivering key milestones and exciting statistics.
Key Numbers:
10 Goals were scored across the three fixtures.
7 of the 10 goals came in the second half, highlighting a surge in late-match action.
2 goals from the penalty spot, including Joelma’s first for Valletta this season.
Milestones:
Fastest Goal: Josline N’Guessan (Mġarr United) scored after just 14 minutes.
Debutants: Ten players made their league debut, including Aleksandra Yaneva (Swieqi United), Martina Monega (San Ġwann), Liliana Cohete and Danicia Ciantar (Valletta), Olivia Nazarko (Hibernians), Josline N’Guessan (Mġarr United), and Birkirkara’s Ana Mercieca, Krista Sacco, Izabella Stringer, and Maya Pellegrini.
First Goals: Pellegrini marked her Birkirkara debut with a brace, while Stephania Farrugia also scored twice.
Experienced Impact: Joelma began her third consecutive season in Maltese football by converting a penalty for Valletta.
This opening matchday not only showcased a dynamic start to the season but also highlighted the blend of promising newcomers and established players shaping the league’s competitive landscape.