Alfred Effiong went some way towards winning over the Valletta fans on Saturday as his quickfire hat-trick propelled the champions to an easy 4-1 victory over Qormi.

Despite gaining a reputation as a fast and agile striker during his spells with Ħamrun Spartans, Qormi and Marsaxlokk, Effiong had a tough job on his hands to establish himself in a City squad brimming with skilful forwards but his treble against one of his former clubs suggests that the Nigerian is rediscovering his sparkle.

Effiong offered a refreshingly honest assessment about his experience with Valletta so far.

“For a striker, it’s always special when you score a hat-trick but I’m not that satisfied with my overall performance,” Effiong, who turned 27 in November, said.

“I believe that I can give much more to the team and I’m trying to improve with every game.”

Effiong sealed his move to Valletta only days before the first leg of their Champions League preliminary round match against San Marino’s Tre Fiori back in June. The Nigerian knew back then that he had to work harder to live up to expectations at his new club.

“Valletta are a big club and there are many good players here,” Effiong said. “When I joined the team in the summer, I knew that I had to raise my game. It’s taking me time to adjust to the level and style of this squad but I’m getting there.

“My initial aim was to become a regular player, I wanted to be in the first eleven. That is quite a difficult task but at the end of the day, in football, it’s the performances that determine whether you stay in the first team or not.

“As I said, I’m doing my best to keep my place but there are a lot of good players fighting for the same aim.”

Effiong’s ability to outrun opponents with the ball at his feet makes him an awkward opponent, especially when his team break on the counter. At his previous clubs, Effiong scored numerous goals from counter-attacks but his qualities also led to some scepticism about his potential impact for Valletta.

This was so because, with the team they possess, Valletta are expected to dominate possession whereas most of their opponents usually adopt prudent tactics.

Thus, Effiong can’t bank on his speed alone to create openings but has had to vary the angles of his runs and improve his game awareness.

“The other clubs I played for were what many regard as mid-table sides who prefer to play with counter-attacks,” Effiong said. “At Valletta, the story is different. I’ve had to adapt my game to this new situation. I’ve had to blend myself into the team.

“Here, you don’t get the ball all the time because there are other strong players who can invent something and score a goal when they’re in possession. It’s a challenge but I’m doing all I can to fit in.”

Thanks to his treble against Qormi, Effiong has taken his league tally to eight goals, joining Denni at the top of Valletta’s scorers’ list.

Effiong is proud to be donning the shirt of one of the country’s most glorious clubs but he’s not prepared to rest on his laurels.

“I’m satisfied with my work so far,” Effiong observed.

“Every player dreams of playing for the top clubs and in Malta, Valletta are one of the biggest teams.

“I’m glad that I’ve been given the opportunity to play for this team and I’m grateful to the coach and the committee. I’m determined to prove myself and justify their faith.”

Up to a few weeks ago, there were rumours that other clubs were keen to take Effiong on loan in January amid suggestions that Valletta were considering reshuffling their foreign legion.

Effiong has been in the game long enough to know that the fortunes of a footballer can change quickly but his target is to stay with Valletta.

“My aim is to remain with Valletta,” he said. “I have no desire to change club and I intend to see out my contract.

“In football, there is always speculation but I’m happy here.”

Effiong brushed off rumours of interest from other clubs. “My agent and I have not received any offers,” Effiong said. “I’m just focusing on doing well for Valletta. The rest is just speculation.”

Top of the table with a three-point lead over Hibs, Valletta are well on course to defend the league title.

Having won the BOV Super Cup with the Citizens, Effiong is gunning to clinch more honours with the Whites and has set his sights on a league and cup double.

“From a personal point-of-view, I’m determined to keep working hard and score more goals this season,” Effiong said.

“I want to help the team, in my own way, to become champions and win a league and trophy double.”

Premier League statistics

Scorers, red cards

Balzan Youths: Bright 4; Ciantar 3; Pedrinho 2; Tasic, Camilleri, Farrugia, Grima, Forace.
Own goal: Camilleri (vs Ħamrun).
Red cards: Pedrinho (vs Qormi, vs Mqabba), Francica (vs Hibs), Forace (vs Tarxien), Ciantar (vs Valletta).

Birkirkara: Avila Perez 8; Cilia 4 (3 pens); Grech 2, Pereira 2; Buhagiar, Zerafa, Vella, Muscat, Fenech.
Red cards: Decesare (vs Mosta), Grech (vs Qormi), Avila Perez, Bajada (vs Mosta), Decesare, Pereira (vs Hibs).

Floriana: Caruana 4; Woods 3 (1 pen), Grabowski 3; Cassar 2; Odwong, Mintoff, Farrugia, Micallef, J. Borg, Darmanin.
Own goal: Everton (vs Tarxien).
Red cards: Amamoo (vs Sliema); Bartolo (vs Birkirkara).

Ħamrun Spartans: Ribeiro 6; Grima 4, Shields 4 (1 pen); Luis Silva, Sammut, Toneto Porcari, Agius, Polli.
Red cards: Agius (vs Balzan), Polli (vs Birkirkara), Sammut (vs Balzan).

Hibs: Edison 16; Failla 9; Caruana 2, Pisani 2, Cohen 2; Soares, Anizoba, Herrera, Dias.
Red cards: Pulis (vs Valletta), Dias (vs Birkirkara).

Marsaxlokk: Obiefule 10; Deanov 4; Farrugia 2, Lattes 2; Kokavessis, Campagnoli.
Red cards: Templeman (vs Hibernians), Brincat (vs Qormi).

Mosta: Zammit 3 (1 pen), Martin 3, Mvondo 3; Aboulezz, Arilson.
Own goal: Buhagiar (vs Birkirkara).
Red cards: Ossok (vs Hibs); Tisbi (vs Qormi).

Mqabba: Mazzitelli 7 (1 pen), Mamic 7 (1 pen); Azzopardi, Briffa, Potezica.
Red cards: Mazzitelli (vs Marsaxlokk), Mamic (vs Hibs), Timotic (vs Hibs).

Qormi: Farrugia 8 (4 pens); Jorge Pereira 6 (1 pen); Nwoke 4, Bello Osagie 4; Bartolo, Sciberras, Bondin.
Red card: Duff (vs Birkirkara).

Sliema: Mitev 6 (3 pens), Lima 4; Bajada 4; Jorge 3; Mifsud Triganza 2, Scerri, Ani, Frendo, Galabov.
Red cards: Scerri (vs Hibs), Grech (vs Floriana), Mitev (vs Marsaxlokk), Mifsud (vs Hibernians).

Tarxien: Bueno 6 (1 pen); Ricardo 4 (1 pen); Anonam 2, Galvao 2; Everton, Carabott.
Own goal: Pereira (vs Birkirkara).
Red cards: Anonam (vs Mosta), Costa (vs Balzan), Suguino (vs Valletta).

Valletta: Denni 8, Effiong 8; Barbosa 6 (1 pen); Zongo 4; Mifsud 2, Pace 2, Borg 2, Briffa 2, G. Agius 2.
Red cards: G. Agius, Borg, Fenech (vs Hibs).

Current standings


P W D L F A Pts
Valletta 14 12 1 1 36 11 37
Hibernians 14 10 4 0 35 9 34
Floriana 14 8 3 3 19 11 27
Sliema 14 4 8 2 23 19 20
Qormi 14 6 2 6 25 25 20
Birkirkara 14 6 2 6 21 21 20
Balzan Youths 14 5 2 7 17 21 17
Mqabba 14 4 3 7 17 24 15
Ħamrun 14 4 2 8 19 30 14
Marsaxlokk 14 3 2 9 20 30 11
Mosta 14 2 4 8 12 26 10
Tarxien 14 3 1 10 17 34 10

The Times best XIThe Times best XI

Next fixtures

Friday (Tedesco Stadium)
18.00 Birkirkara vs Mqabba;
20.15 Balzan Youths vs Hibs.

Saturday (National Stadium)
14.00 Tarxien Rainbows vs Qormi; 16.00 Valletta vs Mosta.

Sunday (Hibs Stadium)
14.00 Floriana vs Ħamrun Spartans; 16.00 Marsaxlokk vs Sliema Wanderers.

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