Mosta collected their first three points of the season in the Yo Health Malta Premier League after a late Leo Fernandes penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Sliema Wanderers.
The Wanderers, aiming for back-to-back wins, dominated large parts of the encounter but were denied repeatedly by Mosta goalkeeper David Udoh Akpan, who delivered a commanding performance between the posts.
Sliema coach Paul Zammit handed a start to Sulahmana Mamadu Bah, while Luke Montebello featured as a second-half substitute. Mosta, meanwhile, introduced three changes from their previous outing, with Fernandes and Eke Chukwuemeka restored to the lineup.
Sliema threatened throughout the first half with efforts from Thiaguinho, Roko Prsa, and Vito Plut, but all failed to break the deadlock. Mosta had their own chances, notably through Prince Chibuzor Emmanuel, whose strike on 18 minutes forced a smart intervention from Al Tumi.
The Wanderers came closest on 58 minutes when Plut’s header, deflected by Akpan, crashed against the crossbar. Minutes later, Plut was unlucky again as his shot struck the upright.
However, against the run of play, Mosta struck the decisive blow on 79 minutes. Emmanuel was brought down in the area by Murilo Freire, and Fernandes coolly dispatched the resulting penalty.
Mosta’s task became harder four minutes later when Chukwuemeka was sent off for a second bookable offence, but Akpan’s brilliance and resolute defending kept Sliema at bay. In the dying moments, substitutes Myles Beerman and Montebello tested the Mosta keeper, while Prsa fired over from a promising position, sealing the Wanderers’ frustration.
This hard-fought victory provided Mosta with a timely boost, while Sliema were left to rue missed opportunities.
Match Statistics
Result: Sliema Wanderers 0 – 1 Mosta
Scorer: Fernandes 79’ (pen.)
Sliema Wanderers: R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, N. Frendo, A. Magri Overend, V. Plut, R. Prsa, S. Bah (64 L. Montebello), M. Freire (80 K. Nwoko), S. Pisani, T. Espindola, M. Baggio (64 B. Diarra).
Mosta: U. Akpan, E. Chukwuemeka, D. Machado (60 Q. Hurtado), J. Victor, G. Sciberras, P. Emmanuel, C. Okereke, J. Vassallo, Z. Brincat, L. Fernandes (85 M. Bolanos), C. Sena.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Yellow cards: Chukwuemeka, Okereke, Emmanuel (Mosta); Freire (Sliema)
Red card: Chukwuemeka (Mosta, 83’)
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