Mentz and Buhagiar among five new faces in Mazzotta’s Malta provisional squad

Zammit Lonardelli and Pisani join Pepe, Borg, and Jones on the injury list

Defender Gabriel Mentz and strikers Trent Buhagiar and Basil Tuma were named in interim Malta coach Davide Mazzotta’s initial 30-man squad for the upcoming international matches at the National Stadium this month.

The national team will play a friendly against Turkmenistan on Thursday, October 10, and then host Moldova at the UEFA Nations League Group D2 qualifier on Sunday, October 13.

Mazzotta’s first squad selection features a host of new faces, including Reading’s 19-year-old forward Basil Tuma, who has already represented Malta at U-19 and U-21 level, Brescia’s Trent Buhagiar, who has pledged his international future to Malta, and Gżira United defender Gabriel Mentz, who was recently granted Maltese citizenship.

Birkirkara’s Neil Micallef has also earned his first call-up.

The squad also welcomes back Floriana’s Dunstan Vella, Juan Corbalan, of Ħamrun Spartans, Cain Attard, of Sliema Wanderers, and Birkirkara’s Alexander Satariano, who missed the September international window for various reasons. Marsaxlokk’s Ryan Scicluna has been recalled to the initial squad after a long absence.

On the downside, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Steven Pisani will miss out after picking up injuries over the past few days.

Zammit Lonardelli picked up a muscle injury in Floriana’s 2-0 win over Mosta while Pisani limped out injured in Sliema’s 1-0 defeat to Birkirkara.

Jodi Jones, Steve Borg and Enrico Pepe are also ruled out with injuries.

Malta have three points after their opening two UEFA Nations League Group D2 qualifiers, the same as Moldova who have played a game less.

The squad

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), Mattias Ellul (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Zach Muscat (No club), Gabriel Mentz (Gzira FC).

Midfielders: Jan Busuttil (Balzan FC), Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna – POL), Nikolai Muscat (Marsaxlokk FC), Ryan Scicluna (Marsaxlokk FC), Matias Nicolas Garxia (Floriana FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FR), Dunstan Vella (Floriana FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Joseph Essien Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Cain Attard (Sliema Wanderers FC), Juan Corbalan (Hamrun Spartans FC).

Forwards: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC), Kemar Reid (Floriana FC), Luke Montebello (Hamrun Spartans), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Kyrian Nwoko (Floriana FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Trent Anthony Buhagiar (Brescia Calcio – IT), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading U21).