2023–24 Maltese FA Trophy

2023–24 Maltese FA Trophy

Sliema Wanderers lifting the Maltese FA Trophy after the final.
Tournament details
Country	Malta
Dates	12 December 2023 - 12 May 2024
Teams	42
Defending champions	Birkirkara
Final positions
Champions	Sliema Wanderers
Runner-up	Floriana
Tournament statistics
Matches played	41
Goals scored	146 (3.56 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)	Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa (4 Goals)
All statistics correct as of 12 May 2024.

The 2023–24 Maltese FA Trophy, officially named IZIBET FA Trophy due to sponsorship reasons, was the 86th edition of the football cup competition, the FA Trophy. The winners earned a place in the second qualifying round of the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League.

Birkirkara were the defending champions. But were eliminated in the Semi-Finals by Sliema Wanderers

Sliema Wanderers won the cup (their twenty-second Maltese FA Trophy win) on 12 May 2024, defeating Floriana 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.

Preliminary round

Ten preliminary round matches were played on 12 and 13 December 2023, featuring twelve teams from the 2023–24 Maltese Challenge League, six teams from the 2023–24 Gozo First Division, and two teams from the 2023–24 Maltese National Amateur League.

The draw was held on 7 November 2023. The four remaining Maltese Challenge League teams (Attard, Luqa St. Andrew's, Żabbar St. Patrick, and Żurrieq), the two remaining teams from the Gozo First Division (Għajnsielem and Xewkija Tigers), and two teams from the Maltese National Amateur League (Marsaskala and Mġarr United) received byes.

Kirkop United (3) v Lija Athletic (2)

12 December 2023	Kirkop United (3)	1–2	Lija Athletic (2)	Hamrun
20:30 CET	Matthew Borg 45'		Erjon Beu 80' (pen.) Leonardo Agius 90+5'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli

Melita (2) v Qala Saints (1)

13 December 2023	Melita (2)	5–7 (a.e.t.)	Qala Saints (1)	Mosta
11:15 CET	Benjamin Cassar 81' Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa 84', 102', 113' (pen.), 120+2'		Sintayehu Curmi 12' Igor Nedeljković 87' (pen.), 96', 120+1' Joao Vitor Ferrari Silva 92' Nathan Chukwudi Njoku 105' Lucas Baretto Da Silva 111'	Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium Referee: Andrea Naudi

Victoria Wanderers (1) v Marsa (2)

13 December 2023	Victoria Wanderers (1)	1–2	Marsa (2)	Kerċem
12:00 CET	Caique Silvio Souza Da Silva 2'		Paul Lapira 15' Dylan Agius 18' (pen.)	Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Slobodan Petrovic

Msida Saint-Joseph (2) v Xagħra United (1)

13 December 2023	Msida Saint-Joseph (2)	5–1	Xagħra United (1)	Mosta
13:45 CET	Victor Ifeanyi Mbata 42', 45+1' (pen.), 53' David Chidera Ejiofor 66' Lian Xuereb 80'		Daniel Mesa Pineros 76'	Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium Referee: Wayne Sammut

Żejtun Corinthians (2) v Kercem Ajax (1)

13 December 2023	Żejtun Corinthians (2)	3–2 (a.e.t.)	Kercem Ajax (1)	Hamrun
14:00 CET	Matthew Mifsud 90+2' Jairo Santos De Oliveira Filho 96' Fahad Bardiro 118'		Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos 75', 91'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Nadur Youngsters (1) v St. Andrews (2)

13 December 2023	Nadur Youngsters (1)	2–2 (a.e.t.) (5–3 p)	St. Andrews (2)	Kerċem
14:30 CET	Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio 38' Joseph Zammit 120'		Christian Mercieca 42' William James England 117'	Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius
	Penalties
	Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio Stefan Cassar Joseph Zammit Ian Xuereb Marcelo Jr Barbosa		Brayan Samuel Nyetam Junior Nicholas Galea Luke Anthony Borg William James England

St. George's (3) v Swieqi United (2)

13 December 2023	St. George's (3)	1–5	Swieqi United (2)	Hamrun
16:30 CET	Rudy Cassar 62'		Gilberto Martins Leite Carrara 4' (pen.) Salis Ibrahim 38', 61' Robinson Blandon Rendon 74' (pen.), 85'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Ezekiel Barbara

Oratory Youths (1) v Fgura United (2)

13 December 2023	Oratory Youths (1)	0–2	Fgura United (2)	Kerċem
17:00 CET			Dylan Caruana 10' Tobi Akiti 11'	Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo

Senglea Athletic (2) v Pietà Hotspurs (2)

13 December 2023	Senglea Athletic (2)	2–2 (a.e.t.) (2–3 p)	Pietà Hotspurs (2)	Ta' Qali
19:00 CET	Steven Meilak 76' Alilu Issaka 119'		Kian Leonardi 76', 117'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Tarxien Rainbows (2) v Żebbuġ Rangers (2)

13 December 2023	Tarxien Rainbows (2)	1–2	Żebbuġ Rangers (2)	Hamrun
19:00 CET	Bradley Sciberras 1'		Bradley Sciberras 12', 24'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Anthony Paul Vella

Round of 32

Sixteen matches played between 11–15 January, featuring the ten preliminary round winners, the 14 teams from the 2023–24 Maltese Premier League, and the eight teams given preliminary round byes.

The draw for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 was held on 22 December 2023. The draws were held by Malta FA Director of Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi together with former Malta national team player Justin Haber and Franco Degabriele Chief Commercial Officer of IZIBET.

Santa Lucia (1) v Marsa (2)

11 January 2024	Santa Lucia (1)	2–0	Marsa (2)	Ta' Qali
20:30 CET	Alessio Piazza 16' Aleksa Mrdja 48'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Birkirkara (1) v Attard (2)

13 January 2024	Birkirkara (1)	3–1	Attard (2)	Ta' Qali
14:00 CET	Maxuell Maia 61' Andrei Ciolacu 75' (pen.) Jake Micallef 90+3' (o.g.)		Camilo Del Castillo Escobar 67'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Slawomir Olucha

Floriana (1) v Naxxar Lions (1)

13 January 2024	Floriana (1)	2–0	Naxxar Lions (1)	Paola
14:00 CET	Matías García 24' Matheus Nogureira Albuguerque de Sousa 90+5'			Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele

Żabbar St. Patrick (2) v Żebbuġ Rangers (2)

13 January 2024	Żabbar St. Patrick (2)	1–2	Żebbuġ Rangers (2)	Ħamrun
14:00 CET	Brian Ariel Gambarte 43'		Duvan Mosquera Torres 39' (pen.) Johann Bezzina 90+4'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Joseph Scerri

Marsaxlokk (1) v Żejtun Corinthians (2)

13 January 2024	Marsaxlokk (1)	5–0	Żejtun Corinthians (2)	Paola
16:30 CET	Yuri 26' Sunday Akinbule 36' Samuel Boakye 52' Jacob Walker 65' Diego Pires Dall'Oca 80'			Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Glen Tonna

Mosta (1) v Pietà Hotspurs (2)

13 January 2024	Mosta (1)	5–1	Pietà Hotspurs (2)	Ta' Qali
16:30 CET	Christian Ndubuisi Nnaji 23', 54' Precious Linus Tenebe 38', 49' Jean Paul Farrugia 69'		Hibiki Mochizuki 32'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Slobodan Petrovic

Msida Saint-Joseph (2) v Mġarr United (3)

13 January 2024	Msida Saint-Joseph (2)	1–3	Mġarr United (3)	Ħamrun
16:30 CET	Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza 69'		Nicholas Schembri 10' Saint Ebisindor Christian 26', 90'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Vladimir Rizoski

Ħamrun Spartans (1) v Lija Athletic (2)

13 January 2024	Ħamrun Spartans (1)	3–0	Lija Athletic (2)	Ta' Qali
19:00 CET	Uroš Đuranović 9' Kean Scicluna 72' Luke Montebello 84'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Balzan (1) v Żurrieq (2)

14 January 2024	Balzan (1)	2–1	Żurrieq (2)	Ta' Qali
11:00 CET	Grech 52' Aguek 80'		Baker 88'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius

Nadur Youngsters (1) v Sirens (1)

14 January 2024	Nadur Youngsters (1)	1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p)	Sirens (1)	Xewkija
13:00 CET	Marcelo Jr Barbosa 31' (pen.)		Bismark Asare 52'	Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson
	Penalties
	Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio Stefan Cassar Ian Xuereb Joseph Mario Vella Marcelo Pereira Muniz		Kwasi Donsu Sacha Borg Bismark Asare Daniel Agius Hafiz Mohammed Akadom

Hibernians (1) v Qala Saints (1)

14 January 2024	Hibernians (1)	2–0	Qala Saints (1)	Ta' Qali
14:00 CET	Degabriele 56' (pen.) Bastianos 76'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Andrea Sciriha

Luqa St. Andrew's (2) v Swieqi United (2)

14 January 2024	Luqa St. Andrew's (2)	1–2	Swieqi United (2)	Ħamrun
14:00 CET	Nwaogu 89'		Pisani 63' Vasilchik 76'	Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Andrea Naudi

Xewkija Tigers (1) v Gudja United (1)

14 January 2024	Xewkija Tigers (1)	0–3	Gudja United (1)	Xewkija
15:30 CET			Zammit 14', 28', 38'	Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Daniel Casha

Valletta (1) v Għajnsielem (1)

14 January 2024	Valletta (1)	7–1	Għajnsielem (1)	Ta' Qali
16:30 CET	Brandon Paiber 19' Federico Falcone 42', 48', 55' Zak Barbara 76' Klose Azzopardi Conti 80', 83'		Godwin Emmanuel 51'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara

Sliema Wanderers (1) v Marsaskala (3)

14 January 2024	Sliema Wanderers (1)	3–0	Marsaskala (3)	Ta' Qali
19:00 CET	Mohamed Abdulahi Awad 10', 40' Joseph Minala 26' (pen.)			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech

Gzira United (1) v Fgura United (2)

15 January 2024	Gzira United (1)	2–0	Fgura United (2)	Ta' Qali
18:00 CET	Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira 64', 72'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli

Round of 16

Eight matches were played on 6–8 February, featuring the 16 Round of 32 winners.

The draw for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 was held on 22 December 2023. The draws were held by Malta FA Director of Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi together with former Malta national team player Justin Haber and Franco Degabriele Chief Commercial Officer of IZIBET. The round includes one team from the third tier, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition: Mġarr United.

Birkirkara (1) v Sirens (1)

6 February 2024	Birkirkara (1)	1–0 (a.e.t.)	Sirens (1)	Paola
18:00 CET	Omar Elouni 113'			Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Malcolm Spiteri

Floriana (1) v Żebbuġ Rangers (2)

6 February 2024	Floriana (1)	7–1	Żebbuġ Rangers (2)	Ta' Qali
18:15 CET	Owen Spiteri 31' Kemar Reid 57', 70', 75' Matías García 60' Kyrian Nwoko 61' Christos Rovas 77'		Duvan Mosquera Torres 45'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Daniel Casha

Mosta (1) v Valletta (1)

6 February 2024	Mosta (1)	2–1	Valletta (1)	Paola
20:30 CET	Maxmillian İhekuna 17' Chidera Nwoga 33'		Cardoso 73'	Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Glen Tonna

Marsaxlokk (1) v Swieqi United (2)

6 February 2024	Marsaxlokk (1)	3–0	Swieqi United (2)	Ta' Qali
20:45 CET	Yuri 26' Sunday Akinbule 52', 60'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius

Gzira United (1) v Hibernians (1)

7 February 2024	Gzira United (1)	1–0	Hibernians (1)	Ta' Qali
18:00 CET	Thaylor Aldama 30'			Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson

Santa Lucia (1) v Mġarr United (3)

7 February 2024	Santa Lucia (1)	3–3 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p)	Mġarr United (3)	Ta' Qali
20:15 CET	Lucas Sena 55' Carlos Gabriel 90+3' Aleksa Mrdja 96'		Saint Ebisindor Christian 38' Joseph Paul Zammit 76', 100'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
	Penalties
	Gonzalo Nicolas Virano Adam Bradshaw Jurgen Pisani Carlos Gabriel Daniel Letherby		Kane Paul Farrugia Saint Ebisindor Christian Gordon Saliba Liam Portelli Nicholas Schembri

Sliema Wanderers (1) v Balzan (1)

7 February 2024	Sliema Wanderers (1)	1–0 (a.e.t.)	Balzan (1)	Ta' Qali
20:30 CET	Joseph Minala 117' (pen.)			Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Slobodan Petrovic

Ħamrun Spartans (1) v Gudja United (1)

8 February 2024	Ħamrun Spartans (1)	3–0	Gudja United (1)	Ta' Qali
20:30 CET	Elionay Freitas Da Silva 4' Luke Montebello 25' Eder 90+3'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 5 March 2024. The draws were held on Tuesday by Malta FA Director Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi assisted by former Malta national football team players Roderick Briffa and IZIBET Brand Ambassador Andrew Hogg. Four matches were played on 30 March 2024, featuring the eight Round of 16 winners. The round included one team from the third tier, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition: Mġarr United.

Gzira United (1) v Mġarr United (3)

30 March 2024	Gzira United (1)	2–0	Mġarr United (3)	Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST	Lucas Macula 83' Thaylor Aldama 90+1'			Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson

Marsaxlokk (1) v Floriana (1)

30 March 2024	Marsaxlokk (1)	0–2	Floriana (1)	Paola
14:00 CEST			Willis Alvés Furtado 49', 87'	Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Philip Farrugia

Birkirkara (1) v Ħamrun Spartans (1)

30 March 2024	Birkirkara (1)	2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p)	Ħamrun Spartans (1)	Ta' Qali
15:00 CEST	Alexander Satariano 45+3' Steve Borg 68' (o.g.)		Uroš Đuranović 43', 74' (pen.)	Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
	Penalties
	Maxuell Maia Simon Zibo Andrei Ciolacu Neil Micallef Alessandro Coppola		Emerson Marcelina Jonny Robert Do Nascimiento Torres Christian Rutjens Joseph Mbong Ognjen Bjelicic

Mosta (1) v Sliema Wanderers (1)

30 March 2024	Mosta (1)	2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p)	Sliema Wanderers (1)	Paola
16:30 CEST	Zachary Brincat 3' Chidera Henry Nwoga 118'		Lydon Micallef 78', 116'	Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit
	Penalties
	Precious Linus Tenebe Jean Paul Farrugia Sasha Cachia Willie Britto Nathan Agius		Mohamed Abdulahi Awad Lydon Micallef Neil Frendo Gustavo Alcino Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong

Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals was held on 28 April 2024. The draws were held live on TVMSports by Malta FA Director of Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi together with Franco Degabriele Chief Commercial Officer of IZIBET. Two matches were played on 7 and 8 May, featuring the four quarter-final winners (four teams from the 2023–24 Maltese Premier League).

Floriana (1) v Gzira United (1)

7 May 2024	Floriana (1)	2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p)	Gzira United (1)	Ta' Qali
19:00 CEST	Matías García 45+1' Kemar Reid 49'		Gabriel Bohrer 12' Zachary Cassar 37'	Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
	Penalties
	Mattia Veselji Jake Grech Kemar Reid Carlo Zammit Lonardelli Nemanja Andrijanic		Gabriel Bohrer Jackson Mendoza Ewertton Jose Costa Silva Thaylor Aldama Thiago Espindola De Paula

Birkirkara (1) v Sliema Wanderers (1)

8 May 2024	Birkirkara (1)	0–1 (a.e.t.)	Sliema Wanderers (1)	Ta' Qali
19:00 CEST			Joseph Minala 116' (pen.)	Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara

Final

The final was played on 12 May. Floriana and Sliema Wanderers met in the Maltese FA Trophy final sixteen times back in 1935, 1936, 1938, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1993, 2017, and 2023. Between them in the finals, Floriana won nine times and Sliema Wanderers won six times. The last time Floriana and Sliema Wanderers met together in Maltese FA Trophy was during the 2016–17 season in the final when Floriana beat Sliema Wanderers by 2–0.

Floriana (1) v Sliema Wanderers (1)

12 May 2024	Floriana (1)	0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p)	Sliema Wanderers (1)	Ta' Qali
16:00 CEST				Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit
	Penalties
	Mattia Veselji Jose Ulises Arias Kemar Reid Carlo Zammit Lonardelli		Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong Mohamed Abdulahi Awad Gustavo Alcino Lydon Micallef Joseph Minala

Top scorers

As of 12 May 2024

Rank	Player	Club	Goals
1	Kemar Reid	Floriana	4
	Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa	Melita
3	Matías García	Floriana	3
	Gianluca Zammit	Gudja United
	Uroš Đuranović	Ħamrun Spartans
	Sunday Akinbule	Marsaxlokk
	Saint Ebisindor Christian	Mgarr United
	Victor Ifeanyi Mbata	Msida Saint-Joseph
	Igor Nedeljkovic	Qala Saints
	Federico Falcone	Valletta

Television rights

The following matches were broadcast live on TVMSports+:

Round	TVMSports+
Round of 32	Mosta vs Pietà Hotspurs, Hibernians vs Qala Saints
Round of 16	Gżira United vs Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers vs Balzan
Quarter-finals	Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans
Semi-finals	Floriana vs Gzira United, Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers
Final	Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers