Birkirkara chairman Victor Zammit told newsmen yesterday that the club had strengthened their squad because they still believed they could challenge for the title.

In the past few days, Birkirkara have added national team players Etienne Barbara and Saviour Darmanin apart from defender Tonio Saliba to their squad.

Zammit said they were glad to have won the battle for Barbara. “We had been trying to get his signature for the past two years. It is true we made a sacrifice, but we know that we have made a sound investment for the future,” he said.

With regards to Saviour Darmanin, Zammit said he was glad to have acquired the former Pieta custodian. “We now have the two national team goalies together. We already know of the great abilities of Justin Haber who is an excellent goalkeeper. But to fight for the title, we had to strengthen that part of our rearguard. We are aware that at the end of June, the contracts of the two goalies will be expiring, but we hope to see them signing for us once again,” he added.

Zammit added that the club is now convinced that they had enough material to make a strong challenge. “We were disappointed at the fact that we did not manage to get Ian Azzopardi from Floriana. But with the three players we have added to our squad, we feel we are still there, considering the many direct matches still to be played. Our assertion is also based on the fact that considering everything, this year the title is being fought out by four teams and not just two teams as was the case in the past few seasons. There are still 13 matches to go. Of course, we cannot afford to lose more points. Starting from tomorrow, we must win against Valletta. We have fulfilled our obligations with the players. Now we expect the players to return the compliment, we really want them to put the club in the place which belongs to it,” he said.

Zammit added: “This is an important weekend for us. If we win tomorrow, we would have started on the road for our target – the league title – but unless the season ends successfully, we would not be able to accept further excuses. Then we will have to take the action which we would deem necessary. But we are sure it will not be the club to suffer,” he said.

Zammit thanked all the club’s sponsors and wished success to the women’s and Minors teams who are leading their respective sections.

Both Saviour Darmanin and Etienne Barbara said they were happy in their new surroundings, praising the club’s facilities and saying that Birkirkara seemed to be a very serious club.

While Darmanin said it was up to the coach to determine who was to play between the posts, Barbara said he hoped it would not be long before he started scoring goals to get the results needed by the Stripes.

On his part, coach Stephen Azzopardi was glad to welcome the newcomers as well as Tonio Saliba, who could not be present yesterday due to pressure of work. “After failing to beat Sliema, we have set out a target of a maximum nine points from the remaining three first phase matches. If we are successful we could still provide a good challenge,” he added.