YoHealth Malta Premier 2025/26
Opening Round – MD3
Ħamrun S………2
Mosta……………0
Ħamrun Spartans earned their first win of the YoHealth Malta Premier season on Saturday evening, defeating Mosta 2-0 at the National Stadium thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Joseph Mbong and Mouad El Fanis.
Despite missing several key players, including Ryan Camenzuli, Ogjen Bjelicic, and Ante Ćurić, and starting with Joseph Mbong on the bench, Giacomo Modica’s side delivered when it mattered most. New Bosnian striker Semir Smajlagić made his debut, starting in the Spartans’ attack.
The first half ended goalless, but Modica’s double substitution at the break proved decisive. Joseph Mbong and El Fanis entered the match and made an instant impact. Just five minutes into the second half, Mbong capitalised on a scrappy situation in the Mosta penalty area to slot past Udoh Akpan and open the scoring.
Ħamrun doubled their lead in the 79th minute. Smajlagić’s header struck the post, but the rebound fell kindly to El Fanis, who calmly finished to seal the victory.
The result comes on a celebratory day for the club, as the Spartans mark their historic qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage with a large-scale dinner event in St. Joseph High Street, expected to gather around 1,400 Ħamrun supporters.
Ħamrun Spartans: Henry Bonello, Rafael Compri, Nikolai Micallef (Sven Xerri 89′), Vincenzo Polito, Emerson Marcelina, Domantas Simkus (Mouad El Fanis 46′), Matias Garcia, Jovan Cadenovic, Merlin Hadzi (Joseph Mbong 46′), Saliou Thioune (N’Dri Koffi 63′), Semir Smajlagic (Shaizen Attard 89′)
Mosta: David Udoh Akpan, Quelmer Hurtado (Bradley Farrugia 75′), Joao Victor, Jake Vassallo, Matthew Bolanos, Gianluca Sciberras (Sekou Kanitao Almamy 75′), Nathan Agius, Giancarlo Goncalves (Daniel Machado 60′), Sunday Okereke, Prince Emmanuel (Ryan Debono 86′ ), Charles Chibuike (Leonardo Fernandes 60′)
Referee: Alex Johnson
