Malta men’s national team coach Devis Mangia has named Oxford United’s forward Jodi Felice Jones in his 26-man squad ahead of the decisive encounter in the UEFA Nations League against Estonia.
Earlier this week, the Times of Malta reported that the Malta Football Association applied to award a Maltese passport to the Oxford United striker.
Felice Jones is eligible to receive a Maltese passport by descent as his father is Maltese.
MFA president Bjorn Vassallo had confirmed to the Times of Malta that they are assisting in the process to award Maltese citizenship to Felice Jones and are confident that it will be finalised this month.
“The Malta Football Association confirms that it is assisting in the process for football player Jodi Jay Felice Jones, born on 22 October 1997 and currently on the books of Oxford United FC, to obtain Maltese citizenship by descent and thus be available to represent our country,” Vassallo said.
“The process has been on-going for a few months and will be finalised this month.”
The 24-year-old has been on the radar of the Malta Football Association for a few years now.
In fact, former Malta coach Ray Farrugia had already shown interest in Felice Jones and midfielder Teddy Teuma and bring them to the team during his spell in charge of the senior national team.
Read: MFA hopeful Jodi Felice Jones receives Maltese citizenship ahead of Malta decider.
Mangia’s side are joint-first with Estonia in their League D Group 2 with 6 points, but the Baltic side have a game in hand as they will play both Malta and San Marino in this September international window.
Malta’s chances of a League C promotion are only viable through a two-goal victory against Estonia in Tallinn, on September 23. (kick-off: 7pm).
Following the Estonia game, Malta will then host Israel in an international friendly at the National Stadium on September 27 (kick-off: 8pm).
The players will gather on Monday, following this week’s action in the BOV Premier League which kicks-off tonight with Gudja United against Żebbuġ Rangers.
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans), Cain Formosa (Valletta), Jake Galea (Etzella Ettelbruck, Luxembourg).
DEFENDERS
Ferdinando Apap (Hibernians), Jean Borg, Triston Caruana (Valletta), Steve Borg (Ħamrun Spartans), Zach Muscat (SC Farense, Portugal), Enrico Pepe (Birkirkara).
MIDFIELDERS
Cain Attard (Birkirkara), James Brown (St Johnstone, Scotland), Ryan Camenzuli, Matthew Guillaumier (Ħamrun Spartans), Matias Garcia, Adam Magri Overend (Floriana), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians), Brandon Paiber (Valletta), Teddy Teuma (Union, Belgium).
FORWARDS
Jan Busuttil (Floriana), Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians), Shaun Dimech (Valletta), Jodi Jones (Oxford United), Joseph Mbong (Ironi Kiryat, Israel), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara), Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans), Alexander Satariano (Balzan).
