Birkirkara put up an efficient performance as they opened their title defence with a 2-1 win over Rabat Ajax at the National Stadium today.

Frank Temile was the undoubted protagonist for the Malta champions as the Nigerian striker capped a man-of-the-match performance by netting both goals to hand his team an ideal start to this season’s Premier League campaign.

Birkirkara took just six minutes to break the stalemate when Demba Toure sped past Shaun Gauci before teeing up Temile who tapped the ball past Rabat goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic.

Here one thought that the floodgates would open but the Magpies showed great defensive organisation to easily hold off the Stripes attacking manoeuvres.

Instead it was Rabat who grabbed an equaliser on the half hour when they were awarded a free-kick. Daniel Pelaez’s teasing cross was met by Malcolm Licari who headed past Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber.

Birkirkara soon regained the initiative and regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Edward Herrera sent a fine cross towards Temile who showed great body composure to hit scissors shot past Velimirovic.

The second half was bereft of scoring opportunities with Birkirkara only dangerous in the final stages when first Shola Haruna saw his firm drive hit the upright while in time added on it was the turn of substitute Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza whose curling drive came off the bar.

Birkirkara’s Frank Temile was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.