Malta’s interim head coach, Davide Mazzotta, has finalised his squad for the upcoming international fixtures, reducing the roster to 26 players. The team will first face Turkmenistan in a friendly match on home soil on Thursday 10th October, followed by a crucial UEFA Nations League clash against Moldova in the National Stadium on Sunday 13th October.
Mazzotta’s selection is a blend of experience and fresh talent as Malta looks to build momentum under his temporary leadership.
Apart from Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, Steven Pisani, Jodi Jones, Steve Borg and Enrico Pepe all ruled out injured, Mattias Ellul (Hamrun), Jan Busuttil (Balzan FC), Matias Nicolas Garcia (Floriana FC) and Cain Attard (Sliema Wanderers FC) failed to make it to the final squad.
The final squad therefore includes Reading’s 19-year-old forward Basil Tuma, who has already represented Malta at U-19 and U-21 level, Brescia’s Trent Buhagiar, who has pledged his international future to Malta, and Gzira United defender Gabriel Mentz, who was recently granted Maltese citizenship along with Birkirkara’s Neil Micallef.
Floriana’s Dunstan Vella, Juan Corbalan of Hamrun Spartans and Birkirkara’s Alexander Satariano, who missed the September international window are back along with Marsaxlokk captain Ryan Scicluna who has been recalled to the squad after a long absence.
The final 26-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Henry Bonello (Hamrun Spartans FC), Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol – MOL), Matthew Grech (Zabbar St Patrick FC)
Defenders
Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Luke Tabone (Haverfordwest County AFC – WA), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Zach Muscat (No club), Gabriel Mentz (Gzira FC)
Midfielders
Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna – POL), Nikolai Muscat (Marsaxlokk FC), Ryan Scicluna (Marsaxlokk FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FR), Dunstan Vella (Floriana FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Joseph Essien Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Juan Corbalan (Hamrun Spartans FC)
Forwards
Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC), Kemar Reid (Floriana FC), Luke Montebello (Hamrun Spartans), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Kyrian Nwoko (Floriana FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Trent Anthony Buhagiar (Brescia Calcio – IT), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading – ENG)