Malta takes on Eswatini in a friendly match at the National Stadium on Thursday, kick-off at 18:30. A final test for Emilio De Leo’s side ahead of the final match from Group D1 of the UEFA Nations League against Gibraltar which is expected to determine the winner of the group.

Malta is coming from a positive run of five matches after defeating Azerbaijan 2-0 in a friendly match in June, a 2-1 win over Andorra away from home in the opening match from the UEFA Nations League, a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in a friendly match at Ta’ Qali, followed by a 1-1 draw with Gibraltar and a 1-0 win over Andorra in another two matches from the UEFA Nations League.

Having an opponent from outside the European continent is not something common although Malta had played against countries like Algeria, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Egypt, Gabon, Libya , South Africa and Tunisia along the years. 

Photo courtesy of Malta FA

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, are currently ranked 164th in the FIFA Rankings, four places below Malta.   Therefore, on paper, it should be a clash between two teams, more or less on the same level.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Malta coach Emilio De Leo said “We have two matches ahead that we must approach with the utmost determination—that is the primary message, and the lads are well aware of it. Tomorrow’s game is an opportunity to build consistency; as we’ve been saying for some time, we want to develop a winning mentality. This means delivering strong performances and executing our style of play, while simultaneously ensuring we secure the necessary results.”

“In my view, we’ve been moving in that direction for a while now, and that must be our approach tomorrow. It’s certainly a chance to give more playing time to those who have featured less, but I believe the lineup I field tomorrow will be the one that offers the greatest reliability—both for this match and for the one that follows. I want to reiterate one point: there is no such thing as “just another” match for Malta; the lads will be fully focused, knowing that tomorrow’s game is significant.”

“This is about continuing the path we’ve started and fostering the right atmosphere—both for those who get the chance to play tomorrow and for those who will be involved in the next fixture. I never want official matches to be viewed any differently than friendly matches. I am firmly committed to this, and so are the players—so, tomorrow, you will undoubtedly see the best version of Malta.”

Jake Grech and Jean Borg are not part of the Malta squad for these two matches while Rashed Al-Tumi should not make it to the squad for this friendly match as he is still on the road to recovery. 

“As for Rashed Al Tumi, he is currently going through a recovery process. We are fortunate to have four reliable goalkeepers at our disposal, so we will monitor his progress over the next few days and then make an assessment. I don’t believe he will be available tomorrow; therefore, the three goalkeepers for tomorrow’s match will be James Sissons, Henry Bonello, and Dylan Ciappara.”

“Regarding the rest of the squad, we are working through a few minor issues—Ryan Camenzuli, for instance, picked up a knock in the last match. We are continuing our work with our core group—the players who have already provided a great boost during previous international windows—and we are doing everything we can to field a side that is resilient, physically fit, and, above all, highly determined for tomorrow’s match, as well as the subsequent game against Gibraltar. I don’t foresee any significant issues in getting all the players back to full fitness,” said De Leo.

The squad is therefore made up of 

goalkeepers Henry Bonello (Sliema Wanderers FC), Rashed Al Tumi (Birkirkara FC), Dylan Ciappara (Balzan FC), James Sissons (Chesterfield FC – ENG).

defenders Zach Muscat (Birkirkara FC), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk FC), Mattias Ellul (Valletta FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United FC), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Myles Beerman (Floriana FC).

midfielders Matthew Guillaumier (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Alexander Satariano* (Sliema Wanderers FC), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta FC), Teddy Teuma (Sliema Wanderers FC), Stephen Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC), Yannick Yankam (Valletta FC).

forwards Joseph E. Mbong (Hibernians FC), Paul Mbong (Floriana FC), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC – SUI), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne – FRA), Basil Tuma (Aldershot Town – ENG), Kevin Cannavò (La Spezia Calcio – ITA), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta FC), Andrea Zammit (Valletta FC).

Goalkeeper James Sissons, who is one of the five foreign-based players, also spoke on Wednesday, saying that preparations for the friendly match against Eswatini were the same as any other competitive match. 

“We prepared for tomorrow’s game, as we prepare for any other game. We’re going with the same mindset as we do with every other game, to win, to perform, to show what we can do.”

Referring to his experience with Chesterfield, Sissons said “The last couple of months with Chesterfield have been great.  I made a couple of appearances and done well. So I just want to build on that and hopefully, keep on working and moving forward.” 

Meanwhile Eswatini arrive in Malta with a squad mainly made up of home-based players apart from a number of players who play in Zimbabwe and others who play in Türkiye and South Africa.

In their last two outings in March, they suffered back-to-back defeats to Eritrea in the African Cup of Nations preliminary round qualifiers.

Interim Head Coach Dominic Kunene selected the following players:

goalkeepers Sibusiso Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Qiniso Nyawo (Mbabane Highlanders A.M.)

defenders Thulani Jingane (Nsingizini Hotspurs) Kwakhe Thwala (Scottland – Zimbabwe) Mpendulo Simelane (Ezulwini United), Gift Gamedze (Royal Leopard), Nkosingiphile Shongwe  (Nsingizini Hotspurs) Philiso Newman (Agama –  Zimbabwe), Nkosinathi Shongwe  (Moneni Pirates)

midfielders Kelvin Kunene (Royal Leopard) Khumalo Yeki (Hardrock – Zimbabwe), Neliswa Dlamini  (Hardrock – Zimbabwe), Thubelihle Mavuso (Hardrock – Zimbabwe) Simanga Masangane  (Royal Leopard) Innocent Pakule (Nsingizini Hotspurs)

forwards Philani Mkhontfo (Manzini Sea Birds), Justice Figareido (Chippa United – South Africa), Joseph Kibonge (Manzini Sea Birds), Malangeni Dlamini (Royal Leopard), Sithandiwe Mbuli (Narlidere Belediye Spor, Türkiye), Sambulo Simelane  (Hardrock – Zimbabwe), Quality Dlamini (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Senanelo Nkambule (Moneni Pirates).

The match will be controlled by Portuguese referee Gustavo Correia who will be assisted by Andre Filipe Nogueira Dias and Tiago Costa. The fourth official will be Matthew De Gabriele.