Mqabba FC, who have celebrated their 50th anniversary this year by clinching promotion to the Premier League, have left no stone unturned to strengthen their squad in an effort to try and remain among the elite of Maltese football.

Club president Mario Borg told reporters in midweek that they had recruited several new faces, among them three Brazilians and they are expecting their side to offer a good sporting challenge. “Our main target is that of avoiding relegation,” he said.

There are nine new players in all in Mqabba’s squad. The three Brazilians are defender Italo Nogueira, midfielder Fabio Silva and striker Marcelo Pereira. The locals who have joined their ranks are Dylan Zarb, Mark A. Psaila, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Mintoff, C. Calleja and P. Psaila.

Coach Joey Falzon, who led the side to promotion last season, is again coaching the side this season. He is confident that his side will continue to build on what was achieved last term in the first division, despite admitting that the Premier League will be a much more difficult task to handle.

The club is sponsored by OmniTurf, Caqnu Premier Lager and EuroSport.