A compelling football season that has offered unrelenting drama and emotions at all levels of Maltese football will come into focus on Sunday, 5th May as the main protagonists – the football players – will be vying to make their mark on the MFPA Awards 2024, this year being held at the Radisson Golden Sands Resort.
As preparations for the annual flagship event of the Malta Football Players Association gather momentum, the final nominees have been revealed following the conclusion of voting which was open to all football players who are members of the MFPA.
A total of 35 awards will be presented on the night, including the 11 players selected in the MFPA Best XI for both men and women, and the two most coveted prizes – the MFPA Men’s and Women’s Best Player. As in previous editions, the MFPA will also honour a former player or personality who has made an outstanding contribution to Maltese football.
There are a total of 22 finalists in the MFPA Best XI categories for both men and women. Ħamrun Spartans, who have retained the BOV Premier League crown, and runners-up Floriana have the highest numbers of nominees in the top-tier categories while Birkirkara, who have completed a league, KO and Super Cup treble in the women’s competitions, and league runners-up Swieqi United are the most represented clubs in the female categories.
The final three nominees for the MFPA best player awards (men and women) will be unveiled during the MFPA Awards night followed by the announcement of the winner. Malta midfielder Matthew Guillaumier, currently turning out for Stal Mielec in Poland, and Swieqi United’s Jade Flask were voted as best players by their peers last year.
There are three candidates for the MFPA Best Men’s and Women’s Young Player awards, last year won by Valletta’s Shaun Dimech and Sara Saliba, of Birkirkara.
The candidates in the Challenge League categories are in the running to win the MFPA Best Challenge League Player award, last year won by Lydon Micallef, of Sliema Wanderers. There are three contenders for the MFPA Best Amateur League player award which was introduced in 2022.
In addition to the eligibility criteria over the minimum playing time for all the nominees, players could not vote for a candidate who plays for the same team. The initial nominees were shortlisted by a panel of coaches.
10 YEARS OF FIFPRO MEMBERSHIP
This year’s awards event will also commemorate an important milestone for the MFPA – the 10th anniversary since the Association was accepted as a full member of FIFPRO, the trade union representing football players worldwide.
Carlo Mamo, MFPA General Secretary, said: “Being the biggest annual event organised by our Association, the MFPA Awards entails months of preparations as we strive to put on an enjoyable show to recognise and celebrate the achievements of football players at the end of a demanding season.
“Driven by our commitment to support our members in the best way possible, the MFPA has evolved over the years and the support of FIFPRO is crucial for us to sustain and increase our services, assistance programmes and projects. 10 years of FIFPRO membership is an important milestone for the MFPA and we look forward to commemorating this anniversary during the awards night on 5th May.”
THE FINALISTS OF THE MFPA AWARDS 2024
MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers); Georgi Kitanov (Floriana).
Centre-backs: Murilo Henrique Bernardo (Sliema Wanderers); Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers); Oualid El Hasni (Floriana); Emerson Marcelina (Ħamrun Spartans).
Right-backs: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).
Left-backs: Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans); Maksim Valadzko (Floriana).
Midfielders: Geoffrey Acheampong (Sliema Wanderers); Yuri De Jesus Messias (Marsaxlokk); Edson Farias (Naxxar Lions); Matias Nicolas Garcia (Floriana); Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Floriana).
Forwards: Pablo De Carvalho (Naxxar Lions); Matheus De Sousa (Floriana); Uros Djuranovic (Ħamrun Spartans); Jonny Do Nascimento (Ħamrun Spartans); Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans); Kemar Reid (Floriana).
MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER
All the candidates for the MFPA Men’s Best XI are nominated.
MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER
Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers); Paul Mbong (Birkirkara); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).
MFPA BEST COACH
Mauro German Camoranesi (Floriana); Paul Zammit (Sliema Wanderers); Luciano Zauri (Ħamrun Spartans).
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United); Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara).
Centre-backs: Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara); Natalee Grace Geren (Hibernians); Rafanny Andreina Mendoza (Swieqi United); Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara).
Right-backs: Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United); Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara).
Left-backs: Kiley Nicole Norkus (Hibernians); Ann-Marie Said (Birkirkara).
Midfielders: Brenda Borg (Mġarr United); Luana Vitoria Cabral (Mġarr United); Marta Grosso (Birkirkara); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians); Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).
Forwards: Karima Abdulai (Swieqi United); Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United); Joelma Alves Gabriel (Mġarr United); Arianna Del Moral (Birkirkara); Alexis Veronica Espitia (Hibernians); Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara).
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER
All the candidates for the MFPA Women’s Best XI are nominated.
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER
Kaysia Micallef (Swieqi United); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians).
MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE
Goalkeepers: Reeves Cini (Pietà Hotspurs); Matthew Grech (Żabbar St Patrick).
Defenders: Christian Grech (Senglea Athletic); Rodolfo Soares (Żabbar St Patrick).
Midfielders: Matthew Debattista (Melita); James Scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick).
Forwards: Augusto Renè Caseres (Marsa); Andre Penha Da Costa (Melita).
MFPA BEST OVERALL CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER
All the candidates in the four Challenge League categories are nominated.
MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE PLAYER
Kurt Borg (Mtarfa); Weverton Gomes (Pembroke Athleta); Jurgen Suda (Mġarr United).
MFPA BEST REFEREE
Ishmael Barbara; Trustin Farrugia Cann; Slobodan Petrovic