Senglea Gunners were crowned winners of the BOV MAFA 70th Anniversary Cup after edging past Għaxaq Wolves on penalties in an entertaining final played at the Marsaxlokk Ground.

The match finished 1–1 after both normal time and extra time, with the trophy ultimately decided from the penalty spot.

Senglea Gunners made an impressive start and took an early lead in the fourth minute. Christopher Philip Balotelli advanced down the right flank before delivering a precise pass into the area, where Lamin Jaiteh reacted quickest to slot the ball low from close range.

Għaxaq Wolves responded positively and found the equaliser nine minutes later. A well-weighted cross was met first time by Diego Fernando Pereira, whose strike beat Senglea goalkeeper Yves Moto Bitseki to restore parity. The teams went into the interval level at 1–1.

The second half developed into a tight midfield battle, with both sides defending resolutely and limiting clear scoring opportunities. Extra time followed a similar pattern, as fatigue set in and neither team managed to produce the decisive moment.

The final was eventually settled in a tense penalty shoot-out. Senglea Gunners converted their spot-kicks through George Frendo, Lamin Jaiteh and Joshua Goku, while Christopher Philip Balotelli saw his effort saved. Għaxaq Wolves managed just one successful penalty, scored by Ian Zammit, as Diego Fernando Pereira, Igor Misan and Thomas Veronese all failed to convert.

Senglea Gunners prevailed 4–2 on penalties to secure the BOV MAFA 70th Anniversary Cup.

Celebrations followed at the final whistle, reaching their peak when BOV Chief Executive Ernest Agius, in the presence of senior MAFA officials and MFA vice-presidents Trustin Farrugia Cann and Adrian Casha, presented the trophy to Senglea Gunners captain Stephane Moto Bitseki.

Għaxaq Wolves: Alejandro Pineres, Thomas Veronese, Bryan Alfredo Cervantes, Alan Goncalves, Ian Zammit, Diego Fernando Pereira, Andrew Ejike Obetta, Alexander Pizarro, Zvezdan Vukovic (Willy Henrique 65 mins, Diego Ovallos 80 mins, Miguel Francica 84 mins), Leandro da Silva Almeida, Igor Misan.
Coach: Kurt James.

Senglea Gunners: Stephane Moto Bitseki, Emerson Bonello, Diego Agius (82 mins), Lamin Fatajo (Moses Nwanko 90 mins), Ainsley Bonello, Lamin Jaiteh, George Frendo, Christopher Philip Balotelli, Ousman Jallow, Joshua Goku, Ogar Augustine (Ola Olajide 8 mins).
Coach: Glenn Vassallo.

Referee: Igor Kankaras.
Assistant referees: Alper Can and Jean Pierre Sammut.