Basil Tuma Named in Malta’s Provisional Squad for UEFA Nations League

Basil Tuma’s rapid rise continued on Monday 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, joining the Shots from Reading, but has wasted no time making an impression. Eight appearances into his National League career, he has helped drive Aldershot up to eighth in the table on 15 points, his direct running and energy on the flank already a key part of their early-season push.

Tuma’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Born in Uganda, he first pulled on his home country’s colours at the 2020 CECAFA Under-17 Championship, showcasing the raw pace and power that would soon attract attention elsewhere. By September 2022, he had switched allegiance at youth level, called up for the Malta Under-19s and beginning a new chapter in his international career.

The senior breakthrough followed. In October 2024, Tuma made his Malta debut, thrown on at half-time and immediately changing the tempo of the game, winning a penalty and underlining why the national setup had moved quickly to secure him. Since that first cap, he has added seven more appearances, steadily tightening his grip on a place in the squad.

Upcoming Fixtures

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

Gibraltar then head to Malta on 1 October in the Nations League, before the reverse fixture with Andorra on 4 October rounds off a congested spell. For Tuma, it is another window to cement his status on the international stage and carry his Aldershot form onto a bigger platform.