Mosta move out of red zone, Euro hopes dented for Hibernians

MOSTA 3-1 HIBERNIANS
Gustavo Chara 37, Shedrack Tomas 73, Jean Paul Farrugia 87 (M); Alex Bruno 8 pen. (H).

MOSTA
D. Akpan; A. Valois, G. Chara (90 C. Nnaji), E. Aneni, C. Nwoga (69 S. Thomas), A. Hovhannisyan, B. Dao, W. Britto, N. Agius (76 S. Cachia), J. Scerri (46 P. Tenebe), Z. Brincat (76 J. Farrugia).

HIBERNIANS
H. Sacco, F. Apap, K. Shaw, L. Caruana (85 A. Radchenko), R. Bairam (75 S. Zuzul), J. Degabriele, A. Bruno, C. Bonanni, M. Bagayoko (17 G. Artiles), R, Antwi (75 Z. Grech), H. Gabriel.

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

Yellow card: Tenebe.

Mosta stunned Hibernians to secure a crucial victory as they vie for safety in the Premier League run-in.

The Blues moved out of the red zone as they sit 10th on 27 points with just two games left in this 2023/2024 campaign.

On the other hand, Hibernians saw their slim hopes of securing a top-four position dented as they remain fifth with 34, trailing fourth-place Marsaxlokk with six goals.

Both teams made changes to their starting line-ups with Mosta making an important change upfront as Chidera Nwoga was given the nod ahead of Italian Kevin Tulimieri.

The Nigerian player has two goals for Mosta including in their last positive result, a 1-1 draw against Sta Lucia on April 7.

Moreover, coach Joseph Grech deployed Ben Aziz Dao from the start as Precious Tenebe was dropped on the bench.

On the other hand, Hibernians made a change between the sticks as Malta U-21’s international Hugo Sacco takes over from Ibrahim Kone.

Robert Bairam started as fullback Gabriel Artiles takes his place on the bench as captain Jurgen Degabriele starts upfront.

Degabriele scored a last-gasp leveller for Hibernians as they held Valletta to a four-goal draw last week.

Hibernians were forced to make an early change when Mamadou Bagayako picked up a knock and was replaced by Gabriel Artiles.

The Paolites drew first blood through Alex Bruno who converted from the penalty spot after David Akpan had floored Rodney Antwi.

However, Hibs failed to control their result as Mosta scored three times without a replay.

Grech’s team levelled terms through Gustavo Chara whose low-drive beat Sacco from the edge of the penalty area.

After the change of ends, Mosta scored through Shedrack Thomas with another shot before Jean Paul Farrugia, former Hibernians player, beat Sacco with a curling effort after a solo effort.