Testimonial matches for Saliba, Spiteri
Two testimonial matches for former international players are seldom played on the same evening but it was perhaps fitting that Nicky Saliba and Michael Spiteri were feted on the same day. Throughout their distinguished careers, Saliba and Spiteri...
Two testimonial matches for former international players are seldom played on the same evening but it was perhaps fitting that Nicky Saliba and Michael Spiteri were feted on the same day. Throughout their distinguished careers, Saliba and Spiteri typified commitment and loyalty, values which are not readily associated with the game of football nowadays.
The 36-year-old Saliba's testimonial match was played at the Hibs Ground yesterday between Valletta and Msida, who clinched promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions.
Spiteri, 34, took part in a match between teams made up of players on the books of two of his former clubs Hibs and Fgura. His team-mates at Birkirkara were present for the event but did not feature in the match due to tomorrow's Trophy semi-final.
Saliba's appearance in Valletta's 1-1 league draw with Hibs last Saturday was his swansong. Spiteri passed up the opportunity of making one last official appearance in front of the fans as he unexpectedly announced his retirement a few days after Birkirkara's 1-0 defeat to Marsaxlokk on March 7.
Former Valletta stalwarts Joe Zarb and Jesmond Zerafa played in Saliba's testimonial match yesterday. Saliba, winner of 33 trophies during his 16-year career with the Citizens, played for Msida in the first half before switching to the Valletta in the second half.
Valletta had also requested permission to the MFA to include Ivan Zammit, currently serving suspension, in their team but their request was rejected much to the disappointment of the City committee.