Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s sealed the 2024/25 IZIBET National Amateur League 1 title in style on Saturday evening with a 2–0 triumph over Vittoriosa Stars at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. The victory not only secured the championship but also marked a long-awaited return to the Challenge League, ending a decade-long absence from Malta’s second tier.
Led by promotion expert Edgar Degabriele, Birżebbuġa displayed the hunger and determination of true champions. Before kick-off, an emotional moment united both teams as they paid tribute to the late Alejandro Brincat, a former player who had donned the colours of both clubs during his career.
Birżebbuġa started the match on the front foot, nearly breaking through early with a stinging effort from Christopher Baker in the 8th minute, drawing a solid save from Edward Gatt. Vittoriosa replied with their own threat on 18 minutes, as Paul Aderibigbe fired from the edge of the area, but Julian Azzopardi stood firm between the posts.
The Saints kept probing, and on 26 minutes, Samuel Saldanha went close after a well-timed pass by Marco Morgan Filho, only to be denied once again by Gatt.
The second half saw Birżebbuġa ramp up the pressure. Defender Joey Reno Vella narrowly missed with a header just eight minutes in, and a dangerous free kick by Marco Morgan Filho on 63 minutes forced Gatt to tip the ball out for a corner.
The breakthrough finally came in the dying moments of regular time. Christopher Baker unleashed a spectacular long-range strike that left the crowd in awe and Gatt with no chance. The win was sealed shortly after when substitute Keith Muscat calmly converted from the penalty spot, following a foul on Yusuf Sulliaman by Gatt inside the area.
The final whistle confirmed Birżebbuġa’s championship and promotion—an emotional and deserved reward for a club that showed resilience, unity, and belief throughout the season.
