Interim coach of Malta, Davide Mazzotta, has unveiled a 27-player squad in preparation for the forthcoming international matches at the National Stadium, setting the scene for two crucial encounters. The team is scheduled to play against Liechtenstein in a friendly on Thursday, 14 November 2024, at 19:00, as preparation for their pivotal UEFA Nations League clash with Andorra on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, at 20:45. This match against Andorra is particularly important, as Malta is striving for promotion from League D in Group D2.
Mazzotta has introduced a fresh face to the line-up: Dylan Scicluna from the Western Sydney Wanderers, who has been called up to the senior team for the first time after previously representing Malta at the U-19 and U-21 levels. The squad also welcomes back several players who were sidelined due to injuries in October, such as Carlo Zammit Lonardelli from Floriana, Enrico Pepe of Gzira United, and Steven Pisani from Sliema Wanderers. Moreover, Myles Beerman has returned to the fold after being absent last month.
Nevertheless, the team will be missing Jodi Jones, Luke Montebello, and Steve Borg, all of whom are currently out due to injuries.
Malta’s performance in the Nations League has been impressive, as they have gathered six points from their initial three Group D2 fixtures, matching Moldova’s tally. Both sides have suffered one defeat and will wrap up their campaigns with games against Andorra.
The 27-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), Enrico Pepe (Gzira United FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gzira United 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), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC), Dunstan Vella (Floriana FC), Dylan Scicluna (Western Sydney Wanderers FC – AUS), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Joseph Essien Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC)
Forwards
Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC), Kemar Reid (Floriana FC), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Trent Anthony Buhagiar (Brescia Calcio – IT), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading U21 – EN), Kyrian Nwoko (Floriana FC)
