The head coach of Malta’s national football team Devis Mangia has tested positive for Covid-19.

The news was announced in a statement published by the Malta Football Association on Thursday afternoon.

“Mangia, who has very mild symptoms, has been in quarantine for some days after coming into contact with a person who returned a positive result for the coronavirus”, the MFA said.

He will remain in self-isolation and follow the medical guidance given by the Public Health Department in collaboration with the medical team of the Malta Football Association.

“The contact-tracing assessment in relation to the first positive case has been completed. All the established contacts were informed accordingly, instructed to do a swab test and take all the necessary steps in accordance with the Public Health protocol”, the MFA said.

Mangia took over as Malta’s national team coach earlier this year, bringing with him a series of much improved performances.

Malta has taken four consecutive positive results, with draws against Latvia and Andorra and wins against Gibraltar and Latvia.  Malta has not conceded a goal in the last three games.

The hope now is that the news of Mangia testing positive will not hamper the national team’s preparation for the final two fixtures of the UEFA Nations League, where Malta will face Andorra and the Faroe Islands at Ta’ Qali on 14 and 17 November respectively.