If Azzjoni Nazzjonali’s proposals for an elected President are ever taken seriously, the Republic of Malta may well have a new (and completely different) Head of State when the incumbent’s terms draws to a close in 2009.
“Michael for President” is a new Internet group on the popular friends network Facebook in honour of Michael Mifsud – the 26-year old striker for Malta and Coventry United, whose recent performances in the European Qualifiers and the Carling Cup have dazzled and delighted local football fans, rekindling enthusiasm for the national team at what appears to be a turning point in Malta’s footballing fortunes.
Mifsud has long been at the forefront of an apparent resurgence in optimism and credibility among the Maltese national team, which in recent months and years has improved on past lacklustre performances to come away from the Euro Cup Qualifiers with a respectable five points: the most Malta has ever accumulated in this competition.
But it was his inspired performance in the Carling Cup last Thursday, when Mifsud stunned football fans the world over by ousting the mighty Man Utd with two outstanding goals at Old Trafford, that seems to have earned him almost 600 instant endorsements as future President of Malta.
Apart from stinging the mighty Sir Alex Ferguson into an untimely retreat from the Cup, the “Maltese Mosquito” – as he is fondly known to Coventry fans – has also generated a veritable “buzz” among local Internet users from all walks of life. So far, Mifsud’s Presidential bid has been openly supported by a wide variety of local celebrities, among them: popstar Ira Losco; artist Kenneth Zammit Tabona, M’skala deputy mayor Owen Bonnici; restaurant critic Mona Farrugia; DJ Woody Aki; blogger Jacques Rene Zammit; actor Steve Casaletto; as well as a certain “Pope Duncan I”, to mention but a few.
A number of foreigners have also taken up the cry for the Maltese Mosquito to enter the political fray and claim the Presidency as his own. But while there is no shortage of UK citizens from the Midlands supporting Mifsud’s bid, the number of fans from Manchester remains a little on the low side.
Michael Mifsud’s career as future President of the Republic can be monitored on: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4967909430.