Basil Tuma Named in Malta's Provisional Squad

Basil Tuma’s rapid rise continued on Thursday as the Aldershot Town winger was named in Malta’s provisional 29-man squad for their upcoming international fixtures.

The 21-year-old only arrived at the EBB Stadium in the summer, signing from Reading, but has wasted no time making an impact. Eight appearances into his Aldershot career, he has helped drive the Shots into eighth place, collecting 15 points and injecting real pace and direct running down the flank.

Tuma’s journey to this latest call-up has already crossed borders and age groups. Born in Uganda, he first pulled on national colours for his homeland at the 2020 CECAFA Under-17 Championship. Two years later, in September 2022, he switched allegiance at youth level and joined up with the Malta Under-19s, opening a new chapter in his international career.

The breakthrough at senior level came quickly. Tuma made his full Malta debut in October 2024, coming on at half-time and immediately changing the tempo of the game, winning a penalty and staking a claim as an impact player. Since then, he has added seven more caps, turning himself from a prospect into a regular option in the squad.

Upcoming Fixtures

Now comes another test. Malta face a demanding run of three UEFA Nations League fixtures in the space of two weeks, starting with a trip to Andorra on 24 September. After that away assignment, they return home to host Liechtenstein in a friendly on 27 September, a chance to fine-tune and rotate before the competitive action resumes.

The schedule then tightens. Gibraltar visit Malta on 1 October in the Nations League, before Andorra make the return trip on 4 October. For Tuma, it is another window to cement his place, carry his Aldershot form onto the international stage, and push himself deeper into Malta’s long-term plans.