The 2005/2006 BOV Premier League kicks off this afternoon with the first two matches in a weekend programme of four.
Champions Sliema Wanderers and favourites to retain the title once more, will be in action tomorrow though. They face a very stern test from Hibernians, as they try to put their Super Cup upset behind and concentrate on the championship defence.
Sliema have practically retained the same nucleus of players as last season, with only a few alterations to their set-up. Lubos Pernis has left the club but Italian defender Mauro Di Lello have been snapped up instead as their third foreigner. Daniel Bogdanovic and defender Ian Ciantar have returned to Sliema, surely rendering the Wanderers the team to beat once more this season.
Hibernians remain an unchanged side as former Birkirkara player Haruna Doda is filling the void of Ndubisi Chukunyere. Goalkeeper Alex Camilleri has joined the Paolites from St Patrick, as an understudy of captain Mario Muscat. Hibernians are expected to be one of the protagonists although they may be hampered by their short squad, lacking enough reserve resources for such a long campaign.
Floriana and Pieta Hotspurs set the ball rolling in the first match this evening at 6.30pm. Both sides will somewhat present themselves in a new look this season after the departure of several players and the recruitment of others.
Floriana will be under the guidance of a new coach – Jimmy Briffa, who replaces Willie Vassallo. Although Mr Briffa will be keeping up the same set-up as last season,the Greens will be missing key players such as goalkeeper Reuben Gauci, defender Ian Ciantar and utility man Stephen Wellman who have all joined new clubs.
Floriana, whose main aim would be to clinch a place in the Championship Pool and put their minds at rest as early as possible,have made up with the signing of Senegal midfielder Adama Diao, defender Keith Fabri from Hamrun Spartans as well as goalkeeper Simon Agius, on loan from Lija Athletic.
Pieta are expected to put in a low profile this season, after the departure of more experienced players. The Hotspurs have changed their foreigners Repuh, Ortas and Abshir and instead have signed Martin and Ilian Deanov, sons of coach Georgi Deanov, as well as new Italian 23-year old striker Carmelo Sciuto.Beppe Pace, loaned from Valletta, will also play for Pieta this season as they face an uphill struggle against relegation.
The second match this evening promises to be an exciting one as Birkirkara play eternal rivals Valletta at 8.30pm.
Birkirkara are expected to be Sliema’s main challengers for the title. Boosted by the Super Cup win last Monday, Birkirkara will be harbouring championship aspirations of their own this season.
The side has not changed much although the Stripes have lost the services of Lucian Dronca, Haruna Doda and Chucks Nwoko besides their departed two two goalkeepers, Justin Haber and Saviour Darmanin, who are both playing abroad. Birkirkara though have signed other very valid foreign players, like Czech goalkeeper David Simon and Bulgarian defender Emil Yanchev. Ivan Casha, on loan from Marsaxlokk, is the second Birkirkara keeper. Matthew Calascione and Clint Micallef returned to the side after a season’s absence.
Valletta remain mostly an unchanged side, hoping to retain the same consistency which enabled them clinch fourth place last season. Massimo Grima is now their player while Kevin Cassar and Anatole Debono have extended their stay for another season. Former Naxxar striker,Jerry Ani joined the Citizens to replace Chris Oretan.
The other match on tomorrow’s programme is between Mosta and Msida St Joseph. The former are one of the two newly promoted sides and are therefore expected to face a tough season in their bid to avoid an abrupt drop. Under coach Paul Zammit, Mosta have strengthened the side with players like Matthew Farrugia, Udo Nwoko and Digger Okonkwo, on loan from Sliema, Hibernians and Pieta respectively.
Msida are a transformed side from the one which reached the final of the FA Trophy last season. They have engaged a new coach, Todor Raykov, although no newcomer to Maltese football, but have also made various important signings as announced in yesterday’s media conference, having a good blend of youth and experience.
Kevin Sammut, Clint Micallef and Johan Zammit have all left the club.
The remaining two teams in the Premier League, Marsaxlokk and Hamrun Spartans, will not be playing this weekend. Marsaxlokk have been the busiest club in the transfer market so far, making no less than seven new signings. Added to their array of U/ 21 internationals, the Southseasiders will have keeper Reuben Gauci, Pieta’s Gareth Sciberras, Floriana’s Stephen Wellman as well as Sliema’s Kevin Sammut (who played for Msida last season) this season. Marsaxlokk’s three foreigners are Portuguese Nuno Gomes and Brazilian Wendell Gomes as well as Englishman Chris Bart-Williams. Marsaxlokk hope to be among the forerunners in the Premier League, once all their players gel as a team.
Meanwhile Hamrun Spartans will be more than happy if they retain their Premiership status after their promotion as Division 1 champions. Under coach Michael Degiorgio, they have three Nigerian foreigners, Ndah, Iyiaba and Umoru, besides luring back to their fold local boy Rupert Mangion.