Matchday 17: Valletta 5 Mosta 0
17/01/2026
Valletta opened the YoHealth Malta Premier Closing Round in emphatic fashion, cruising to a comfortable 5–0 victory over Mosta.
The Beltin took the lead after just three minutes. A cross from the right found Thaylor Aldama, who made no mistake from close range, beating Mosta goalkeeper David Udoh Akpan.
Mosta replied in the eighth minute through Gianluca Sciberras, whose effort sailed over the bar. They threatened again on 22 minutes when captain Zachary Brincat fired a low shot that was safely dealt with by goalkeeper Aguero.
Valletta nearly doubled their advantage in the 39th minute, with Yannick Yankam finding himself in a promising position in front of Akpan but failing to capitalise. The first half ended 1–0 in Valletta’s favour.
After the break, Valletta increased the pressure and were close to a second goal in the 55th minute when Emanuel Moise Mbende headed wide from a corner. Two minutes later, January signing Stijn Meijer tested Akpan with a well-struck effort that was comfortably saved.
Valletta continued to dominate and in the 65th minute Yuri Messias fired over after latching onto a cross that Mosta’s defence failed to clear. The pressure eventually paid off in the 77th minute when Aldama delivered another dangerous cross and Mbende rose highest to head past Akpan and double Valletta’s lead.
The goal opened the floodgates. Substitute Andrea Zammit made it 3–0 after a fine run into the box, rounding the goalkeeper before finishing calmly. Moments later, Zammit struck again, firing low past Akpan to make it 4–0.
Zammit completed his hat-trick in the closing stages, capitalising on a goalkeeping error to slot home and seal a comprehensive 5–0 win.
It was a highly positive start to the Closing Round for Valletta, who once again underlined their credentials as strong contenders for the top positions in the league standings.
Photo Credits: Times of Malta
Valletta: Adilson Aguero, Steve Borg (29′ Neil Anthony Micallef ), Brandon Paiber (88′ Jackson Mendoza), Jake Azzopardi, Yannick Yankam (88′ Thomas Melillo 88), Keith Brewer, Emanuel Mbende, Yuri Messias, Sava Radic, Thaylor Aldama (88′ Matthias Ellul 88), Stijn Meijer (79′ Andrea Zammit).
Mosta: David Udoh Akpan, Aiden Agius, Matthew Garcia Bolanos, Cheikh Snegor Damanka, Gianluca Sciberras (60′ Giancarlo Goncalves), Nathan Agius, Pedro Cacho, Simon Zibo (88′ Bradley Farrugia), Jake Vassallo (88′ Kayden Farrugia), Zachary Brincat (60′ Emanuel Chizubor), Leonardo da Silva (69′ Sunday Okereke).
Scorers: 3′ T. Aldama, 78′ E. Mbende, 85′, 92′, 93′ A. Zammit.
Yellow cards: T. Aldama, S. Meijer (V), A. Agius (M).
Referee: D. Portelli
