Promising player Joseph Mbong has been living in Malta since he was two but his dream of representing our country in the upcoming UEFA Under-17 Championship is on hold as he is still waiting to receive a Maltese passport. Kevin Azzopardi spoke to the young Hibs forward

The most gifted youngsters in our country are excited by the prospect of putting on the Malta shirt in the UEFA Under-17 Championship, being staged here from May 9-21.

Joseph Mbong is no different.

The versatile Hibs forward has featured in most of the friendly games and tournaments played by the Malta U-17 team in their build-up for the big event but, with two months to go before the opening game, Mbong is still waiting to be granted Maltese citizenship.

Born in Nigeria, Mbong was only two when his family relocated to Malta after his late father Essien Mbong, affectionately known as Papa, signed for Hibernians.

Now 16, Mbong grew up here and speaks perfect Maltese but his application for a Maltese passport is still waiting for the seal of approval.

“I was still a baby when my family moved to Malta,” Mbong said. “I have been playing for Hibernians from Under-10.

“My father was a big influence, after all it was he who took me to Hibs. I always wanted to be like him.”

The UEFA U-17 Championship is a unique opportunity for our young prospects.

A tiny nation like Malta wouldn’t have had a chance of progressing to the final but the Malta FA took the bold decision of fielding a team in this elite event after winning the right to host the tournament.

Mbong hopes to get the green light to line up alongside his Maltese team-mates in their curtain-raiser on May 9.

“I’m 100 per cent willing to represent Malta in this tournament,” Mbong said. “It’s a great occasion, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I hope to receive the passport as soon as possible.”

Mbong is also eligible to play for Nigeria but he is prepared to pledge his international future to Malta.

“I want to play for Malta,” he said. “Naturally, t’s more difficult for me to represent Nigeria but my aim is to turn out for Malta.”

The Malta FA have put in a gargantuan effort to ensure that the U-17 players received professional training and guidance ahead of the UEFA Championship.

They have assembled a pool of experts to oversee the team’s preparations, enlisting the services of a full-time coach, Sergio Soldano, a psychologist, physical trainer, goalkeepers’ coach and medical team.

Malta face a daunting task as they will be rubbing shoulders with Europe’s best, the stars of the future, but Mbong is heartened by the team’s progress in the last two years.

“We have improved significantly in many aspects of our game,” Mbong said.

“Our aim is to play flowing football, create chances and not concede many goals.”

Last week, the Malta U-17s figured in the Roma Caput Mundi, a friendly tournament for U-18 teams. They finished second in their group but more importantly, Soldano’s boys adapted well to the challenge of playing against older players.

Malta kicked off their commitments with a 5-3 win over the England FA National Colleges Team but lost 3-0 to Italy U-18 Lega Nazionale Dilettanti in the second game.

They ended their Rome adventure on an uplifting note, beating San Marino U-18 3-1 with Mbong netting a brace.

“It was a useful experience for us,” Mbong said. “We were up against older players who are physically stronger than 16-year-olds.

“We’ve done quite well. We have won two games, scored goals and created chances in every match we have played.

“It’s important for us to play well and show that we deserve to represent Malta.”

During the Caput Mundi tournament, Soldano deployed Mbong on the wing as well as the team’s central striker.

“I see myself as a forward but I also like to play on the wing,” Mbong said. “I also enjoy playing in midfield or behind the strikers.”

His father Essien was a powerful, box-to-box midfielder in his prime, forging a reputation as one of the most effective foreign players in the Premier League.

‘Papa’ would surely have been proud to see his son don the Malta shirt as Essien was very fond of his ‘adoptive’ country but his life was cut short by a terminal illness last year.

Joseph Mbong is keen to emulate and possibly surpass the achievements of his late father who helped Hibs win the league championship in season 2001/02.

“My ambition is to be better than him,” Mbong Jr said.

“I also want to win more trophies than my dad.”

On a final note, Mbong made an impassioned appeal to the authorities to approve his application for Maltese citizenship.

“My message to the authorities is that I’m willing to do well for this country and I’m proud to represent Malta,” Mbong said.

“This country has given me a lot and I want to give something back.”