San Ġiljan Saints produced the first upset of the new MAFA First Division season after defeating Senglea Gunners 2-1.

Senglea went into their opening league fixture full of confidence following an excellent start to the season, having already lifted both the Joe Compagno Cup and the Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup. However, San Ġiljan brought their winning run to an end on the opening matchday of the league campaign.

Sandy Victor Paillot put San Ġiljan ahead in the 26th minute, with the Saints managing to hold on to their advantage until half-time.

Senglea came out stronger after the break and drew level through Ali Oularbi in the 43rd minute, setting up an intriguing finish to the contest.

However, the decisive moment arrived deep into added time. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Alexander Nilsson found the net in stoppage time to hand San Ġiljan a dramatic 2-1 victory and their first three points of the season.

Elsewhere on the opening matchday, reigning Second Division champions Attard Edex Kings celebrated their promotion to the MAFA top flight with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Swieqi United.

Salman Karim opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Dideon Ikenna Okoro struck twice, in the 45th and 55th minutes, to seal a comfortable victory for Attard.

Meanwhile, Marsa St Michael also started their campaign with a victory after defeating Valletta Stars St Dominics 1-0. Yassine Bouslimi scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute.

MAFA FIRST DIVISION STANDINGS

3 points: Attard Edex Kings, San Ġiljan Saints, Marsa St Michael
0 points: Valletta Stars St Dominics, Senglea Gunners, Swieqi United, Valletta St Paul’s