The 2022/23 season is set to usher in the return to normality across local football and newly-promoted BOV Premier League side Marsaxlokk FC presented on Saturday the squad they hope will keep them among the top echelons of Maltese football.
Speaking to the media, team manager Peter Agius said that the club is aware of how tough the season will be and so, they have worked hard to build the squad in the best way possible.
Video: Chris Sant Fournier
He remarked, however, that the nucleus of players is set to be the same. The latest confirmation of this in fact, comes as midfielder Peter Xuereb extended his contract with the club on Friday.
Marsaxlokk have recently made 12 new signings as Maltese players Dale Mifsud, Timothy Tabone Desira, Uzeh Edafe, Alfred Effiong, Daniel Agius and Conor Borg have all joined the club.
The southseasiders have also confirmed goalkeeper Jose Gobbi, defenders Oscar Carniello and Leandro Aguirre, midfielders Santiago Ferraris and Santiago Moracci, as well as striker Thiago Fonseca.
“We believe that during this season, we can reach our goal of confirming our place in the Premier League and we are sure that with the help of this group and the work of the coaches, our goal can be attained,” Agius said.
Coach Pablo Doffo, who has also been re-confirmed for this coming season with Marsaxlokk, together with his new assistant coach Juan Cruz Gill – who played with the club last season before retiring over the summer – will have an important role in satisfying the committee’s objectives.
However, speaking to the Times of Malta, Doffo – a former Marsaxlokk player himself – said he is more
than happy with his squad so far.
“I’m more than happy with the work the club is doing towards the team,” the Argentine coach said.
“We got some important players, but the most important thing is that we create a good group because the challenge in the Premier League is going to be very difficult. We have to try to take as much points as we can in the first round to see if we are able to avoid relegation zone and to be able to play football without pressure.”
Club president Frank Cachia lauded his club’s efforts, saying that hard work throughout his seven-year presidency has led the club to the highest division of Maltese football.
“We have worked hard these past seven years and our aim is to have stability both in the senior team, as well as the nursery,” Cachia explained.
“I believe there is still much to be done but we can one day get to a point when the club is self-sustainable.
“The most important thing for me is the set of people around me and I believe that with the set-up we have assembled and the technical staff, we have enough to consolidate ourselves in the Premier Division.”
