Champions Hibernians and FA Trophy winners Birkirkara will be facing each other this evening at the Ta’ Qali national stadium.
Coaches Giovanni Tedesco and Branko Nisevic hold the Super Cup. At left is Gareth Sciberras of Birkirkara and on right is Andrew Cohen of Hibernians
It is the annual match for the Super Cup which will see the season kicking off officially.
The two teams seem to have been strengthened from the past season and this has been confirmed by the two clubs’ performances and results in the European competitions, especially Birkirkara who registered two victories, especially the one against England’s West Ham. On their part, the Paolites obtained a 2-1 win at home against strong Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Both coaches seem sure that the match will offer a spectacle to the crowd attending at the Ta’ Qali Stadium.
“I think it will be a good game,” said Hibs coach Branko Nisevic, who added: “I must congratulate Birkirkara for the results and performances in the Europa League.
“This is the first official game and therefore we have a lot to fight and play for. We have strengthened our squad as Birkirkara have done as well. Last season, it was Birkirkara who proved to be the hardest nut to crack for us. In fact, they also beat us in the FA Trophy final. We are expecting a hard game from the Stripes, but we have also prepared ourselves in a good manner.”
Nisevic also said that the fact that Italian striker Miccoli will probably be missing for Birkirkara will not make such a big difference.
“If Miccoli misses the game, the Stripes have a most suitable replacement in Vito Plut. He is also a good striker. Moreover, Birkirkara do not have just 11 players. They have a very healthy and strong squad,” he added.
Asked whether Hibernians had registered former Valletta midfielder Denni Rocha dos Santos, Nisevic confirmed that the player had been training with them for the past few days, but he has not yet put pen to paper.
“The chances that he will sign for us are good,” he said.
Birkirkara coach Giovanni Tedesco was emotional on the eve of his first ever final as a coach in Malta.
“This is my first final here in Malta and, as such, it will be an emotional game for me.
“I must thank former coach Paul Zammit and the players who enabled me to lead this side in today’s final. It is only my duty to thank them wholeheartedly for winning last season’s FA Trophy.
“We will be facing Hibernians – a very strong side led by a very good coach. Last season, they were certainly the best team. They played some really good football. We certainly respect them but we will not show any signs of fear.
“We are also aware of the fact that they have been strengthened, but our squad has also been strengthened considerably.”
Tedesco went on to reveal that the Stripes have three players who are highly doubtful for tonight’s game.
These are international midfielders Rowen Muscat and Paul Fenech as well as Italian striker Fabrizio Miccoli.
“The former two were injured in the second leg of the match against West Ham, while Miccoli is suffering from muscular pain. I can only keep my fingers crossed and hope they will be considered fit tomorrow. But their presence is highly improbable,” he said.
However, Tedesco seemed to be consoled with the return of Zac Muscat who will be regularly in the side this evening.
He had been on a one-week trial with Italian side Pisa. The Italian mentor thinks that Hibernians must start as favourites.
“They have retained most of their squad of last season – they only lost goalie Bonello and top striker Tarabaj - and have registered some good players as they continued to strengthen their squad,” he added.
Stripes skipper Gareth Sciberras is back to full fitness and he is at the disposal of the coach for tomorrow’s match. At last I have been declared fit and I am at the coach’s disposal for this match. I have been away from the game for a long time, but now I am looking forward to make a positive return. This match heralds the start of a new season and it is also the first honour. We are determined to start the season on a positive note.”
Sciberras went on to thank his family, especially his wife, the coach and the club committee for supporting him throughout the past months of his injury.
“They were difficult moments. But now, that is past history and I am looking forward to playing regularly despite a small early season setback,” he said.
Of the same opinion was Hibernians skipper Andrew Cohen.
He said: “We hope to carry the impressive form of last season – apart from the defeat in the Trophy final – into this new season. I believe it will be a good game. We all like to play such finals in which the better team normally prevails.”
Cohen also believes that last year saw one of the best ever editions of the Hibernians team since he started playing with them. “As to this season we still have to see, but we are determined to do well once again.”
Photo: Domenic Aquilina