The achievement also coincides with the 40th anniversary of Kerċem’s first-ever First Division league title.
Elsewhere, Għajnsielem consolidated second place in the standings, while Xagħra United moved closer to avoiding direct relegation.
Also, last weekend, Qala Saints secured a place in the final of the BOV GFA Cup.
The Second Division championship came to an end, and Second Division champions Sannat Lions completed a memorable campaign by also winning the Knock-Out competition.
In the first match from Match-Day 19, Kerċem Ajax registered their tenth consecutive league victory after defeating bottom-placed Nadur Youngsters 1-0 and secured the league title.
This was a well-deserved honour for the Ajax, as despite having only recently been promoted from the Second Division, Kerċem kept pace with the leading teams during the first round and became dominant from the second round onwards.
Their consistency allowed them to secure the title with two matches to spare.
Kercem approached the match against Nadur determined to earn the result they needed but had to wait until the 36th minute to break the deadlock.
The decisive goal came from a shot by Samuel Azzopardi, which took a deflection off Isaias Cruz and a defender before finding the net.
For long spells, Kerċem were wasteful in front of goal and missed several chances to put the match beyond doubt.
In the latter stages, Nadur pushed forward and came close on a few occasions to forcing an equaliser. However, at the final whistle, Kerċem relieved the pressure they had carried by beginning celebrations for their championship triumph.
Għajnsielem continued to confirm their status as the revelation team of the season after securing a 2-1 victory over Qala Saints, a result which places them firmly on course to finish second in the league.
With neither side under pressure for points, both teams adopted a more attacking approach. Ghajnsielem opened the scoring after 10 minutes through a penalty converted by Ewertton Tom.
But four minutes later, Qala equalised courtesy of Junior Sergipe.
Għajnsielem eventually claimed victory with a goal from Jhon Gonzalez in the 57th minute.
Xagħra United earned three crucial points with a dramatic 4-3 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers, extending their lead over Nadur Youngsters to six points and moving very close to securing safety from bottom place.
The Wanderers were missing a number of regular players due to other competition commitments, and despite attempting to secure a positive result, Xagħra fully deserved their win.
Victoria took the lead in the 16th minute through a low strike by Mustapha Amodu, but Xagħra responded emphatically with three goals scored by Ibrahim Salis (21), Pedrinho (32) and Yousouf Rodo (33).
Victoria rallied and drew level thanks to a brace from Ender Vielma (45, 64).
Yet in the closing stages, Xagħra pushed forward once again and sealed the victory with a superb strike by Johann Bajada in the 79th minute.
Qala Saints booked their place in the BOV GFA Cup final after registering a 3-1 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Wanderers adopted a more aggressive approach but failed to capitalise on their chances, and in the 43rd minute, Qala surprised their opponents by taking the lead with a fine strike by Ibrahim Mohammed following a defensive clearance.
Victoria equalised early in the second half through Ender Vielma.
But Qala regained the advantage in the 54th minute with a first-time effort by Nicholas Inguanez.
Victoria’s response was subdued, allowing Qala to seal qualification with a third goal in the 81st minute – a fine lob by Ibrahim Mohammed after intercepting a back pass.
Knock Out winners
Second Division champions Sannat Lions crowned an outstanding season by defeating Gharb Rangers 2-0 in the Knock-Out final, to complete a memorable double.
The match was evenly balanced during the first half, but Sannat appeared more direct after the interval and scored twice, with goals from Cyriel Buttigieg in the 52nd minute and Igor Nedeljkovic eight minutes later.
Following the match, Sannat Lions were presented with their medals and the Second Division Knock-Out Cup by Gozo Football Association general secretary Tony Grech.
Meanwhile, in the final Second Division league match, Għarb Rangers defeated St Lawrence Spurs 2-1. The fixture had no bearing on final league positions.
Gharb took the lead in the 37th minute from a penalty converted by Joseph George Vella.
St Lawrence equalised in the 70th minute through a penalty by Felipe Augusto. That goal brought Augusto level with Sannat’s Igor Nedeljkovic on 23 league goals, with both forwards finishing as joint top scorers.
Gharb went on to secure the win courtesy of a late goal from Joseph George Vella in the 87th minute.
NEXT FIXTURES
SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Għajnsielem vs Kerċem 17.00
MONDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Qala S. vs SK Victoria 18.00
Nadur Y. vs Xewkija T. 20.00
APRIL 17
GFA DIVISION ONE KO FINAL
SK Victoria W. vs Kercem 19.00
