Basil Tuma scored his first senior international goal as Malta drew 1–1 with ten-man Eswatini in a friendly at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on Thursday, 12 November 2026.
Eswatini went down to ten men in the 29th minute when referee Gustavo Correia showed Gift Gamedze a straight red card for a challenge on Keyon Ewurum. The visitors still threatened on the break: James Sissons tipped a Justice Figareido strike onto the crossbar before Philani Mkhontfo finished a counterattack in the 45th minute to give Eswatini the lead.
Malta equalised in the 47th minute. Paul Mbong cut in from the left and crossed for half-time substitute Tuma, who headed past Sibusiso Dlamini.
Sissons denied Figareido again in the 70th minute, and Dlamini kept out Carlo Lonardelli six minutes later after a Teddy Teuma free-kick. Teuma hit the side netting late on, and Tuma could not turn Irvin Cardona’s delivery on target as Malta pushed for a winner.
Malta next travel to Gibraltar for their final UEFA Nations League Group D1 fixture at Europa Point Stadium on Monday, 16 November.
Match details
Malta 1–1 Eswatini (half-time 0–1). Goals: Philani Mkhontfo (45′), Basil Tuma (47′).
Malta: James Sissons; Gabriel Mentz (Mattias Ellul, 62′), Kurt Shaw (Carlo Lonardelli, 46′), Matthew Guillaumier (captain; Stephen Pisani, 46′), Paul Mbong (Irvin Cardona, 62′), Andrea Zammit (Basil Tuma, 46′), Kevin Cannavo (Joseph Mbong, 46′), Myles Beerman (Ilyas Chouaref, 75′), Keyon Ewurum (Jake Azzopardi, 75′), Zach Muscat (Enrico Pepe, 75′), Alexander Satariano (Teddy Teuma, 62′). Coach: Emilio De Leo.
Eswatini: Sibusiso Dlamini; Siphephelo Newman Philiso, Newliswa Senzo Dlamini, Thubelihle Mavuso, Justice Figareido (Nkosinathi Shongwe, 83′), Philani Mkhontfo (captain; Senanelo Nkambule, 83′), Sizwe Yeki Khumalo (Sambulo Simelane, 66′), Gift Gamedze, Kwakhe Thwala, Simanga Masangane, Nkosingiphile Shongwe. Coach: Dominic Kunene.
Referee: Gustavo Correia (Portugal). Yellow cards: Nkosingiphile Shongwe and Kwakhe Thwala (Eswatini). Red card: Gift Gamedze (Eswatini).
Source: Malta FA match report.
