Sergio Afric is trying to inject new life into the underachieving Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate side this year and Sunday’s Enemed Cup triumph over San Ġiljan TUM Invest could be a major sign of things to come.
The
Croatian’s return to Sliema must have lifted the spirits of technical staff,
players and the fans after he has won the league with all Premier Division clubs
he had been in charge.
Click on the link above to hear the reactions of Sliema coach Sergio Afric and captain Mark Meli. Video: Jonathan Borg.
Since
his appointment, the team made giant strides forward as last year they made a
strong finish to the 2019 campaign but silverware is still eluding them.
Afric
has a group of players who have been nurtured in recent years and can now look to
the upcoming season with much hope after landing the Enemed Cup.
Success
in the pre-season competition is the first piece of silverware won by the Għar
id-Dud club since the Winter League triumph in 2014 and has re-ignited hopes
that their quest for a 32nd National Championship crown that has eluded them
since 2009 could be a reality this year.
Speaking
to sportsdesk.com.mt, Afric reckons there’s no clear favourite in this year’s
edition as no foreigner will figure in the summer competition.
“Without
foreigners, one will see the real strength of team. We all start on a level-playing
field this time,” he told sportsdesk.com.mt.
“On
our part, we invested in local talent and with the arrivals of Nicky Grixti and
John Brownrigg, we have strengthened our side,” he said.
On
his part, Sliema captain Mark Meli said that Enemed Cup’s success was long
overdue and this might give his team the confidence to start believing more
that they can challenge for major trophies.
“We have improved the strength-in depth in the group,” he said.
“With
Grixti, the team is strong in every department now and we have
some very talented players who are keen to learn and hopefully this season will
yield better things for our club.”
