MFA unveils limited-edition Malta shirt

National team to don shirt in World Cup qualifier against Lithuania next month

To mark its 125th anniversary, the Malta Football Association has launched a limited-edition home and goalkeeper shirt.

The design is inspired by the kit worn by the Malta men’s national team in its first official match against Austria back in 1957, which the Austrians won 3-2 at the Gżira Empire Stadium.

The shirt will be worn by the men’s national team in the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Lithuania and by the women’s national team later on this year.

Matthew Spiteri Gonzi, Commercial Director at the Malta FA, said that there are only 1,700 shirts being sold, with each limited-edition shirt coming with a unique number that is assigned at random. Specific numbers cannot be requested or reserved, and the kit will be sold in a limited-edition branded box.

“We tried to keep the shirt as simple as possible and this was possible thanks to the cooperation of our sponsor Errea,” he said.

Spiteri Gonzi explained how the Maltese national team obtained its first ever kit, back in 1957, thanks to Vittoriosa Stars who handed them their own red shirts and the Malta FA, then, knitted the Maltese cross on it.

“We hope that this kit can bring positive results to our national teams,” Malta FA president Bjorn Vassallo said.

Meanwhile, the men’s national team continues its preparations under coach Emilio De Leo who earlier this month called up a 33-player provisional list.

After facing Lithuania, in a crucial match which can help Malta avoid the wooden spoon in this qualifying group, the Maltese selection will cross swords with group favourites and European powerhouse, the Netherlands.

For the Lithuania match, Hibernians’ defender Kurt Shaw and Gabriel Bohrer Mentz of Gżira United will be both unavailable as they have to serve another one-match ban. In addition, Sion’s forward Ilyas Chouaref will sit out both matches as he was suspended for two games after his red card against Poland.

“In the previous international window, we produced two strong performances especially against Finland where we were unlucky not to rescue at least a point,” Bonello pointed out.

Vassallo added that the Malta FA will host another open day session with the men’s selection, pencilled for June 4 at the Training Grounds as they continue to commit themselves to further fan engagement activities.

In addition, Spiteri Gonzi said that the Malta FA is handling the tickets of both matches, including the away game against the Netherlands.

For this high-profile qualifier, though, the Malta FA will only serve tickets to Maltese applicants who will need to provide proof of nationality or residence, such as Maltese passport or a valid Maltese resident card.