Nigerian forward Franklin Sasere believes Floriana can make a strong impact in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, despite the disappointment of missing out on the Maltese Premier League title.
Floriana fell short in the play-off against Ħamrun Spartans, missing the chance to claim what would have been their record 27th league title. However, they ended their league campaign positively with a 4-0 win over Sliema Wanderers, a match in which Sasere found the net and helped secure a European place for the club.
“It’s tough to describe the pain of losing the title so narrowly,” Sasere told Flashscore. “We gave it everything all season. It hurts, but football can be cruel sometimes. Qualifying for Europe is a big achievement, though. It shows how hard we’ve worked and gives us another chance to grow and show what Floriana are capable of on a bigger stage.”
Sasere, who previously won the league with Ħamrun Spartans, congratulated his former team on winning their 11th title and thanked Floriana’s fans for their ongoing support. He also rejected the idea that the team took things too lightly in the second half of the season.
“We never underestimated any opponent,” he said. “Yes, we dropped some points, but we stayed focused and kept fighting. It wasn’t a case of being too relaxed. I want to thank our supporters who stood by us through everything. We’ll come back more determined next season.”
Ħamrun secured the title with a 1-0 win over Birkirkara, with Roko Prša scoring the decisive goal in the 63rd minute.
Sasere scored 14 league goals this season—his best tally in European football—and has been nominated for several individual awards. However, he insists that team success comes before personal accolades.
“I care more about how the team performs,” he said. “If we win and I help the team, that means more than personal glory.”
The season isn’t over yet for Floriana, who still have a chance to win silverware. They will face Birkirkara in the semi-final of the Malta FA Trophy on Wednesday. The winner will go on to meet either Ħamrun Spartans or Hibernians in the final.
“We still have a big opportunity to win a trophy,” Sasere added. “Lifting the FA Trophy would be the perfect way to finish the season and reward our amazing fans.”
