The final nominations have been announced following the conclusion of the voting process, which was open to all football players who are MFPA members.
This year’s edition marks a record, with 44 awards to be presented following the introduction of two new categories – MFPA Challenge League Best XI and MFPA Best Challenge League Coach.
These additions reflect the MFPA’s continued efforts to raise the profile of the Challenge League, the second tier of Maltese football.
There are now three Best XI awards, with the Challenge League category joining the existing MFPA Best XI for both men and women, alongside other individual honours.
As in previous editions, the MFPA will recognise a former player or personality who has made an outstanding contribution to Maltese football.
There are 22 finalists in each of the MFPA Best XI categories for men and women. In the Premier League, Ħamrun Spartans and Floriana lead the way with five nominees each, followed by Valletta with four.
Mġarr United, after a remarkable season in which they won the league, knock-out competition and the Jubilee Cup in women’s football, have the highest representation with nine nominees. Hibernians have five finalists, while Swieqi have four.
In the Challenge League, Balzan, who secured the title on the final day, have six nominees, followed by Birżebbuġa St Peter’s and Swieqi with four each.
The finalists for the MFPA Best Player awards (men and women) will be revealed during the awards night, followed by the announcement of the winners.
Alexander Satariano, who plays for Athens Kallithea, and Swieqi United midfielder Shona Zammit were voted best players by their peers last year.
The final nominees and eventual winners of the MFPA Best Young Player awards in both the men’s and women’s categories will also be announced during the event.
Last year’s winners were Satariano and Hibernians midfielder Nicole Sciberras.
NOMINEES
MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: H. Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans); M. Debono (Naxxar).
Centre-backs: E. Marcelina (Ħamrun Spartans); G. Mentz (Gżira); I. Mendonca (Floriana); S. Radic (Valletta).
Right-backs: R. Compri (Ħamrun Spartans); J. Corbalan (Marsaxlokk).
Left-backs: L. Aguirre (Marsaxlokk); R. Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans).
Midfielders: J. Grech (Floriana); D. Makoma (Birkirkara); Y. Messias (Valletta); B. Paiber (Valletta); F. Varela (Floriana); D. Vella (Floriana).
Forwards: T. Aldama (Valletta); P. Emmanuel (Mosta); M. Jah (Floriana); J. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans); J. Soares (Marsaxlokk); J. Souza (Naxxar Lions).
MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER: All the candidates for the MFPA Men’s Best XI are eligible.
MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER: The finalists and winner will be revealed during the night.
MFPA BEST PREMIER LEAGUE COACH: T. Micallef (Valletta); D. Portela (Floriana); V. Potenza (Marsaxlokk).
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: P. Araujo (Swieqi); G. D’Antuono (Mġarr United).
Centre-backs: A. Camilleri (Mġarr); L. Cefai (Mġarr); L. Geren (Hibernians); S. Farrugia (Birkirkara).
Right-backs: R. Bajada (Mġarr United); G. Mifsud (Hibernians).
Left-backs: Y. Mendez (Mġarr); C. Schechinger (Hibernians).
Midfielders: E. Csik (Valletta); M. Fanega (San Ġwann); A. Grech (Mġarr); A. Kricak (Swieqi); N. Sciberras (Hibs); M. Ueda (Birkirkara).
Forwards: S. Abdulai (Swieqi); Y. Carella (Mġarr); S. Kabene (Hibs); S. Saliba (Swieqi); A. Villegas (Mġarr); V. Villegas Caly (Mġarr).
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER: All the candidates for the MFPA Women’s Best XI are eligible.
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER: The finalists and winner will be revealed during the night.
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST COACH: M. Borg (Hibernians); D. Theuma (Swieqi United); R. Vella (Mġarr).
MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE BEST XI (1-4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: D. Ciappara (Balzan); R. Cini (Pietà Hotspurs).
Centre-backs: J. Bolanos (Birżeb-buġa SP); S. Okoh (Swieqi); E. Ruiz (Gudja); L. Gabriel (Balzan).
Right-backs: I. Davey (Swieqi); J. Engerer (Balzan).
Left-backs: S. Arab (Balzan); M. Gambin (Fgura).
Midfielders: K. Bondin (Melita); S. Buhagiar (Fgura United); K. Leonardi (Swieqi); S. Mawuena (Swieqi); M. Xuereb (Birżebbuġa SP); N. Pulis (Balzan).
Forwards: O. Awosanya (Balzan); A. Bruno (Birżebbuġa SP); Paul Lapira (Birżebbuġa SP); C. Noto Souza (Mġarr); T. Nonato (Sirens); J. Yepez (Melita).
MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER: All MFPA Challenge League Best XI nominees are eligible.
MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE COACH: M. Caruana (Pietà); A. Cohen (Balzan); E. Degabriele (Birzebbuġa SP); L. Mangion (Swieqi United).
MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 1 PLAYER: L. Mijic (Mqabba); R. Monteiro (Victoria Hotspurs); P. Nwankwo (Attard).
MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 2 PLAYER: Ronaldinho (Dingli); R. Dalli (Kalkara); G. Galea (Mdina Knights).
