Hibs forward Degabriele, Birkirkara’s Zammit win top prizes at 2022 MFPA Awards

Hibernians and Malta forward Jurgen Degabriele and Charlene Zammit, the Birkirkara and women’s national team defender, crowned a memorable season by winning the MFPA Best Men’s and Women’s Player awards respectively.

All eyes were on the outstanding performers during the 202122 domestic football season at the MFPA Awards, held on Monday evening at the Malta Aviation Museum in Ta’ Qali. Degabriele, who scored 14 league goals, captured the most prestigious individual honour after inspiring Hibernians to their 13th league title, beating the challenge of Hibernians team-mate Jake Grech and Maxuell Maia, of Gżira United.

In the female category, Zammit was rewarded for her consistent performances at the heart of defence in another successful season for champions Birkirkara. The other finalists for the MFPA Women’s Best Player Award were Mġarr United midfielder Brenda Borg and Stephania Farrugia, the Birkirkara defender.

Floriana and Malta forward Jan Busuttil was voted MFPA Best Young player while the up-andcoming Maya Lucia, the Raiders Lija midfielder, topped the charts in the women’s category.

During an entertaining show, presented by Keith Demicoli, the MFPA handed out a total of 35 awards. Twenty-two of these went to the players who received the highest number of votes from their peers in the MFPA Best XI categories for both men and women.

Degabriele was joined by Hibernians team-mates Leandro Almeida and Jake Grech in the MFPA Best XI while Italian tactician Stefano Sanderra retained the best coach honour after guiding the Paolites to the Premier League title.

The other players in the 202122 MFPA Best XI are Sirens goalkeeper Jonathan Debono, Birkirkara’s Cain Attard (rightback), Floriana trio Ryan Camenzuli (left-back), Oualid El Hasni (centre-back) and Brandon Paiber (midfielder), Ivan Curjuric, the Valletta midfielder, and forwards Luke Montebello (Birkirkara) and Maxuell Maia (Gżira United).

In the MFPA Women’s Best XI, Charlene Zammit was one of three Birkirkara players, the others being Stephania Farrugia (centre-half) and Ann-Marie Said (midfielder). The other players in the best selection were goalkeeper Jodie Attard (Swieqi United), right-back Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United FC), left-back Jade Flask (Swieqi United FC), midfielders Maya Lucia (Raiders Lija) and Brenda Borg (Mġarr United) while Rodianne Zerafa (Kirkop United), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United) and Leah Alice Ayres (Raiders Lija) formed the three-strong forward line.

It was a case of double delight for Lija Athletic striker Lydon Micallef who collected the MFPA Best Challenge League Forward and Best Challenge League Player awards. Micallef was the top scorer of the 2021-22 Challenge League with 18 goals while Attard striker Nicholas Schembri, who led the scoring charts with 21 goals in the third-tier championship, became the first ever winner of the MFPA Best Amateur League Player Award.

JOHN BUTTIGIEG RECEIVES MERIT AWARD

A compelling video feature on a stalwart of Maltese football served as a fitting prelude to the presentation of the Merit Award with former Malta defender and coach John Buttigieg recognised for his sterling contribution. He received the award from Joachim Walltin, General Secretary of

FIFPRO Division Europe.

FIFA referee Trustin Farrugia Cann made it four in a row after being voted best referee of the season.

During the Awards Night, Carlo Mamo, the MFPA General Secretary, gave a detailed overview of the various projects and work carried out by the Association during this season, drawing praise from Walltin who, on behalf of FIFPRO, congratulated the MFPA for its strong commitment and efforts to support and assist football players in Malta.

THE WINNERS

MFPA BEST REFEREE: Trustin Farrugia Cann

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE PLAYER: Nicholas Schembri (Attard FC)

MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE GOALKEEPER: Jamie Azzopardi (Żebbuġ Rangers)

MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE DEFENDER: Juan Cruz Gill (Marsaxlokk FC)

MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE MIDFIELDER: James Scicluna (Pietà Hotspurs FC)

MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE FORWARD: Lydon Micallef (Lija Athletic FC)

MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER: Lydon Micallef (Lija Athletic FC)

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI Goalkeeper – Jodie Attard (Swieqi United FC), Right-Back – Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United FC), Left-Back – Jade Flask (Swieqi United FC), CentreBacks – Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara FC); Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara FC), Midfielders – Ann-Marie Said (Birkirkara FC); Maya Lucia (Raiders Lija FC); Brenda Borg (Mġarr United), Forwards – Rodianne Zerafa (Kirkop United); Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United); Leah Alice Ayres (Raiders Lija FC)

MFPA BEST COACH; Stefano Sanderra (Hibernians FC)

MFPA MEN’S BEST XI - Goalkeeper – Jonathan Debono (Sirens FC), Right-Back – Cain Attard (Birkirkara FC), Left Back – Ryan Camenzuli (Floriana FC), Centre-Backs – Leandro Almeida (Hibernians FC); Oualid El Hasni (Floriana FC), Midfielders – Brandon Paiber (Floriana FC); Ivan Curjuric (Valletta FC); Jake Grech (Hibernians FC), Forwards – Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC); Luke Montebello (Birkirkara FC); Maxuell Maia (Gżira United)

MFPA MERIT AWARD: John Buttigieg

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER: Maya Lucia (Raiders Lija FC)

MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER: Jan Busuttil (Floriana FC)

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER:

Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara FC)

MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC)