Montebello and Reid among finalists for MFA Player of the Year award

Forwards Luke Montebello, of Ħamrun Spartans, and Floriana’s Kemar Reid are among five nominees who were shortlisted for this season’s MFA Player of the Year award, the local governing body of football announced on Tuesday.

The winners of the prestigious honour will be announced at the Malta FA Awards which will be held at the Dolmen Hotel on Saturday, May 25.

Montebello and Reid have been among the protagonists of the 2023-24 Premier League season as the two Malta international forwards dominating the top scorers’ list as they helped their respective clubs in this season’s title race.

Montebello finished as the leading scorer with 21 goals while Reid placed second with 13 goals alongside Marsaxlokk striker Yuri Messias.

The Ħamrun Spartans striker is bidding for a double of honours this month as last weekend he was named the MFPA Men’s Best Player.

The other finalists in the Player of the Year award are Ħamrun winger Joseph Mbong, and Floriana duo Dunstan Vella and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.

Floriana coach Mauro Camoranesi, MFPA Coach of the Year, is also in line for a double of honours as the Italy World Cup winner is one of the three finalists for the Best Coach award alongside Ħamrun Spartans coach Luciano Zauri and Paul Zammit, of Sliema Wanderers.

Naxxar Lions goalkeeper Matthias Debono, Owen Spiteri, of Floriana, and Jake Vassallo, of Mosta are shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year Award, while Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans), Willis Furtado (Floriana) and Yuri Messias (Marsaxlokk) will vie for the Best Foreigner Award in the Premier League.

In the women’s category, champions Birkirkara have three nominees for the Player of the Year award, namely Stephania Farrugia, Anne Marie Said and Alishia Sultana.

The other two finalists are Mġarr United midfielder Brenda Borg and Shona Zammit, of Swieqi United.

FINALISTS

MFA Footballer of the Year: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans); Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans); Kemar Reid (Floriana); Dunstan Vella (Floriana); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Female Player of the Year: Brenda Borg (Mġarr United); Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Anne Marie Said (Birkirkara); Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

Coach of the Year: Mauro Camoranesi (Floriana); Paul Zammit (Sliema Wanderers); Luciano Zauri (Ħamrun Spartans).

Young Player of the Year: Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions); Owen Spiteri (Floriana); Jake Vassallo (Mosta).

Foreign Player of the Year: Luis Furtado (Floriana), Yuri Messias (Naxxar Lions), Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans).

Challenge League Best Player: Matthew Debattista (Melita); Andre Penha Da Costa (Melita); James scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick).

Amateur League Best Player: Kurt Borg (Mtarfa); Weverton (Pembroke Athleta); Jurgen Suda (Mġarr United).

Best Youth League Player: Ensell Attard (Mosta); Jake Azzopardi (Valletta); David Garba (Valletta).

Female Youth League Best Player: Salamatu Abdulai, Nyorah Celeste Kaysia Micallef (all Swieqi United).