Hibernians Starlet Joseph Mbong Dedicates First Professional Goal To Late Dad, Essien Mbong

Malta youth international Joseph Mbong has expressed his delight after scoring his first ever goal for Hibernians in an official match.

And the 17 - year - old, who starred at the Euro Under 17 Championship held last summer, has dedicated the goal to his late dad Essien Mbong, who left this sinful world in June 2013 at the age of 37.

In the quarterfinals of the FA Trophy held on Saturday, Joseph Mbong opened scoring in the 30th minute before Ryan Darmanin leveled for Balzan in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

“I am happy to score. I played for a long time with the nursery team of Hibernians and I have come up from the youth sector.

“I have not been playing long with the first team, so I am very happy that I scored.

“I am dedicating this goal to my late dad, who played for Hibs before he passed away, ” Joseph Mbong said to allnigeriasoccer.com.

The ex Bolton Wanderers trialist has admitted that Hibernians met a very difficult opponent and has praised the goalkeeper of his team, Henry Bonello, for his penalty shootout heroics.

“We played well, we missed a lot of chances., I hit the post. As the game progressed, it got harder every second.

“The game went into extra time and our goalkeeper saved two penalties,” the youngster added.

Mbong will travel to Italy with the Maltese Under 19 squad for a tournament in March.