From Real Kakamora to Nasinu: Paul Francis fuels another underdog run

Paul Francis has found himself at the centre of another football story few would have predicted. Two years after becoming one of the main figures in Real Kakamora’s extraordinary rise in the Solomon Islands S-League, the attacker is now helping Nasinu challenge the established order in Fiji, with the Giant Killers reaching the Battle of the Giants semifinals for the first time in seven years.

Nasinu were hardly mentioned among the main contenders before the tournament began. The side entered the BOG without a major sponsor and with considerably less expectation than teams such as Rewa, Ba, Suva and defending champions Labasa. An opening 1-0 defeat to Labasa appeared to reinforce that status, but Nasinu responded by defeating Navua 1-0 before producing their biggest result of the competition so far against Suva.

Francis provided the breakthrough in the decisive 2-1 victory over the Capital City side. The Solomon Islands attacker opened the scoring in the 18th minute, beating goalkeeper Jason Rokovucake before fellow Solomon Islander Gagame Feni quickly equalised for Suva. Nasinu captain Billy Afi, another Solomon Islands player, eventually scored the winner, leaving Nasinu on six points and forcing Labasa to chase a sizeable winning margin against Navua that the defending champions could not achieve.

For Francis, there is something familiar about the circumstances. His emergence at Real Kakamora came during one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Solomon Islands football. Kakamora had lost every one of their 22 S-League matches in 2023, conceding 116 goals, before rebuilding almost their entire squad for the following campaign. Francis became one of the faces of the new team, scoring twice on his debut against Solomon Warriors and playing an important part as Kakamora went from the bottom of the league to an unprecedented third-place finish. (Oceania Football Center)

His numbers reflected how important he became. Francis scored 17 goals in 20 S-League appearances during the 2024 season, finishing among the leading scorers in the country as Kakamora developed a huge online following and became one of the most talked-about clubs in Pacific football. His performances also earned him involvement with the Solomon Islands national setup as his reputation grew beyond the domestic competition.

The Kakamora story then changed abruptly. At the beginning of 2025, the club was denied a renewed S-League licence and was left outside the competition despite its third-place finish the previous year. Francis was among the players forced to continue his career elsewhere, and his next destination was Nasinu. Fiji FA records show him already appearing for the club during the opening stages of the 2025 Premier League season. (Oceania Football Center)

The move did not stop his scoring. Francis finished his first Fijian league campaign with 10 goals, giving him the third-highest scoring total in the 2025 Fiji Premier League behind only John Orobulu and France Catarogo. It was an impressive return for a Nasinu side that eventually finished ninth in the ten-team competition, with Francis providing a significant portion of their attacking output. Among his standout performances was a hat-trick against Nadi, while he also scored twice when Nasinu defeated the same opposition later in the season.

His 2026 Premier League campaign has been quieter in terms of goals, with Fiji FA listing Francis with two during the season. The BOG, however, has offered another stage for him to make an impact, and his goal against Suva carried considerably more weight than an ordinary league strike. It came in the match that ultimately pushed Nasinu beyond defending champions Labasa and into the final four.

There is also a wider Solomon Islands influence behind Nasinu’s success. Afi has been particularly decisive, scoring the only goal against Navua before producing the winner against Suva, while Francis supplied the other goal in the match that sealed qualification. Their contributions form part of an increasingly visible Solomon Islands presence in Fijian football, with players such as Feni and Orobulu also making major contributions during this year’s BOG.

Nasinu now face perhaps their greatest challenge of the tournament. Rewa, one of Fiji’s strongest sides in recent seasons, await in Saturday’s semifinal at Govind Park. Nasinu have never won the Battle of the Giants, finishing runners-up in 1989 and 1991, and their previous semifinal appearance came in 2019, when Labasa eventually defeated them in extra time.

That leaves the Giant Killers once again entering a major match without carrying the weight of favouritism. It is also exactly the sort of setting in which Francis first built his reputation. At Real Kakamora, he became a central figure in a team that went from losing every match to challenging near the top of the Solomon Islands. After being forced to leave that project behind, he has taken his goals to Fiji and now finds himself involved in another unlikely run.

From Kakamora to Nasinu, the surroundings have changed. The pattern has not: Paul Francis is once again helping an underdog make people pay attention.

Ba tunnel controversy adds to turbulent BOG as semifinals loom

The 2026 Battle of the Giants is heading into its decisive weekend with four teams still in contention for the title, but events away from the pitch have increasingly become part of the story. Hosts Ba secured the final semifinal place with a 3-1 victory over Lautoka, only for their qualification to be followed by tense scenes around the tunnel at Govind Park and growing calls for the incident to be investigated.

The semifinal picture will see Suva face Ba, while Rewa take on Nasinu, with both matches to be played at Four R Stadium at Govind Park. The final follows on Sunday, and one thing is already certain: there will be a new BOG champion after defending winners Labasa failed to progress from the group stage.

Ba arrive at this stage carrying perhaps the greatest pressure of the four remaining teams. The Men in Black are playing the tournament on their home ground and entered the BOG after already winning both the Fiji FACT and the Extra Premier League in 2026. Another trophy would complete an outstanding domestic campaign, although their path through the group stage was far from straightforward.

They opened with a 1-0 victory over Nadi through Solomon Islands striker John Orobulu before suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat against Rewa. That left Ba needing victory against Lautoka in their final group match, while the Blues required only a draw to advance.

Ba responded when their tournament was on the line. Etonia Dogalau, returning after missing the opening two games through suspension, headed them ahead after only five minutes from Praneel Naidu’s delivery. Rusiate Doidoi added the second before Nabil Begg converted from the penalty spot, giving the hosts a commanding 3-0 halftime advantage. Luciano Castro scored for Lautoka in added time, but the 3-1 victory was enough to put Ba through as Group B runners-up behind Rewa.

The atmosphere following qualification, however, quickly changed.

Fiji Sun reported a tense situation at the Govind Park tunnel involving Ba FA officials, supporters and security personnel. According to the report, Fiji FA had instructed security staff to allow only people carrying authorised identification through the tunnel entrance. Some Ba supporters subsequently attempted to enter through the restricted area, while others were moving towards the team’s changing room, prompting security personnel to intervene.

Images and video from the scene showed an animated exchange taking place around a security guard near the entrance. Fiji Sun initially characterised the episode as a misunderstanding, but subsequent reaction has placed greater attention on the treatment of the security worker and whether the conduct of those involved should be reviewed.

Sheikh Sahib was among those publicly calling for the incident to be properly investigated. In his reaction, he stressed that the security guard appeared to have simply been carrying out instructions and should not have been subjected to disrespect for doing his job. He also raised concern over allegations of verbal abuse and questioned whether the worker had received sufficient support from management during the confrontation.

At this stage, there has been no verified suggestion of physical assault in the incident, and the available information does not justify describing it as such. The controversy instead centres on access restrictions, the behaviour towards security personnel and the circumstances that allowed a routine post-match control measure to develop into a heated confrontation.

The episode nevertheless comes during a BOG already facing considerable off-field discussion.

Drug testing and player eligibility have also generated controversy during the tournament after Fiji FA’s disciplinary committee allowed players with unresolved drug-related cases to resume playing while their proceedings remain pending. Labasa’s France Catarogo was among those affected, receiving clearance only hours before the defending champions’ opening match, while Lautoka’s Veleni Rasorewa and Epeli Leiroti were also permitted to compete with their cases still unresolved.

At the same time, Fiji FA continued drug testing during the BOG itself, with two positive results recorded among the first group of players tested. The association has since indicated that its social drug policy will be reviewed, with stronger measures potentially introduced in the future.

The combination has created an unusual backdrop to what has otherwise been a highly competitive tournament. Suva impressed during the group stage before losing 2-1 to Nasinu, while Nasinu recovered from an opening defeat to Labasa to earn a semifinal place. Rewa produced arguably the most convincing result of the first phase when they defeated Ba 3-0, although they later lost 1-0 to Nadi after qualification was already within reach.

Now the focus returns to Govind Park.

For Ba, Saturday’s semifinal against Suva carries significance beyond simply reaching another final. The hosts remain in position to complete a remarkable three-title season, but they also enter the decisive weekend with increased attention surrounding the events that followed their victory over Lautoka.

What happened in the tunnel should not overshadow the football entirely, but neither should it simply disappear once the tournament resumes. With calls for an investigation already emerging, the response from Ba and Fiji FA could become another important part of the story as the Battle of the Giants moves towards its conclusion.

Central Coast Mariners bring A-League pedigree to Port Vila for Vanuatu United series

Vanuatu football is set for a major occasion this week as Central Coast Mariners prepare to face Vanuatu United in a two-match series at Freshwater Stadium, bringing one of Australia’s most established professional clubs to Port Vila.

The Mariners arrived in Vanuatu ahead of the opening fixture scheduled for Wednesday, 9 September, with the first match set to kick off at 3pm. Their visit gives Vanuatu United an unusual opportunity to test themselves against A-League opposition while also offering local supporters the chance to watch a professional Australian side in action on Vanuatu soil.

Central Coast have travelled with considerable international experience in their group. Australian internationals Andrew Redmayne and Trent Sainsbury, alongside New Zealand defender Storm Roux, were among the players who took part in the Mariners’ first training session at Freshwater Stadium after arriving in Port Vila. Their presence adds further profile to a series that already represents an important occasion for the local game.

The significance, however, goes beyond individual names. Vanuatu United have been working toward these matches as part of their continued development, and facing opposition accustomed to the professional demands of the A-League provides a very different challenge from domestic football. The fixtures should offer an important indication of how the Vanuatu side can compete against a team operating at a higher professional level.

For Central Coast, the trip also brings them into an environment rarely visited by Australian professional clubs. While football connections between Vanuatu and Australia have grown over the years through players, coaches and competitions, matches of this profile remain uncommon in Port Vila. That gives the series added value not only competitively, but also for the visibility of football in the country.

Freshwater Stadium is therefore set to host more than simply a friendly encounter. For Vanuatu United, it is a chance to measure themselves against established professional opposition; for Central Coast Mariners, an opportunity to continue their preparations in a different footballing environment; and for local supporters, a rare chance to see A-League and international-level players competing in Port Vila.

The opening match will be played on Wednesday afternoon at Freshwater Stadium, with the second fixture to follow as part of the Mariners’ visit to Vanuatu.

PNGFA still owes coach behind Kapuls’ historic OFC Nations Cup run nine years later

Almost a decade after guiding Papua New Guinea to one of the greatest achievements in the country’s football history, former Kapuls head coach Flemming Serritslev says an old chapter remains unresolved. The Danish coach, who took PNG to the final of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup, has told Oceania Football Center that he is still waiting for the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) to settle an outstanding debt dating back to the end of his tenure.

Serritslev decided to speak again about the case amid renewed debate over unpaid financial commitments in Papua New Guinea football. PNGFA recently threatened to withhold the Kapuls and Bilums from the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup until outstanding allowances and other commitments from previous editions of the tournament were addressed. Those particular payments involve commitments from government institutions and should not be confused with Serritslev’s contractual dispute with PNGFA, but the signs that old football debts were finally being discussed gave the former national team coach new hope.

Commenting publicly on the situation, Serritslev wrote: “I am happy to hear, that PNGFA has started to pay their debts. It gives me hope, that they will also pay me.” He then contacted Oceania Football Center directly to explain the background of a dispute which has followed him since leaving Papua New Guinea.

“At the beginning of 2017 PNGFA stopped paying me,” Serritslev told OFCe. “In August 2017 we made a mutual agreement, that I should stop 31.08.2017, and PNGFA would pay me the outstanding amount. I left, and PNGFA never paid me their debt.”

The documentary record provides a detailed picture of what followed. Court of Arbitration for Sport documents show that in September 2017 PNGFA and Serritslev calculated USD 150,000 in outstanding obligations. After payments totalling USD 45,636 were made over a short period that month, the remaining amount was recorded as USD 104,364. A mutual agreement signed on 12 September stated that Serritslev’s contract would be terminated and that PNGFA would settle the USD 104,364 balance by 1 December 2017. Further costs connected to his return travel were subsequently added to his claim.

When the agreed deadline passed, Serritslev’s representatives formally demanded payment. In January 2018, according to the CAS record, PNGFA acknowledged the amounts owed and attributed the delay to difficulties obtaining funds from FIFA, proposing monthly payments. Six payments of PGK 15,000 were subsequently made between February and June 2018, meaning Serritslev did receive partial repayment after leaving PNG. However, the full amount was never cleared according to the subsequent proceedings.

Serritslev says he continued contacting PNGFA for years, repeatedly being told that payment would come when funding became available. “I was on mail with them month after month, and every time the answer was ‘next month, when we get funding from FIFA, we will pay our outstandings to you’,” he said. “I was stupid enough to believe them.”

The Danish coach eventually turned to FIFA. In June 2020, he lodged a claim seeking USD 82,004 plus interest, representing what he maintained remained outstanding under the 2017 agreement. FIFA declined to deal with the claim after concluding that it had been submitted outside the two-year limitation period applicable to the dispute. Serritslev argued that the relevant date should have been the final partial payment in June 2018 rather than the original December 2017 payment deadline.

The case later went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but Serritslev again received no ruling on the substance of the debt. CAS found his appeal against FIFA’s decision inadmissible because it had been filed outside the 21-day appeal period. The tribunal concluded that FIFA’s June 2020 decision had been successfully delivered to his lawyer’s email address, even though Serritslev’s side maintained that it had not become aware of it until September.

The result was that neither FIFA nor CAS ultimately determined the merits of whether the remaining amount claimed by Serritslev should be paid. The proceedings ended on procedural grounds rather than with a definitive ruling over the substance of the outstanding debt.

For Serritslev, that outcome carries additional weight because of what preceded the financial dispute. Appointed in late 2015, he led a Papua New Guinea side that produced a memorable campaign on home soil at the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. The Kapuls reached the final for the first time and held New Zealand to a goalless draw over 120 minutes before losing the title on penalties. It remains one of the defining performances in PNG men’s international football.

Oceania Football Center first reported Serritslev’s outstanding-payment complaint in 2020, when the former Kapuls coach was still attempting to recover the money. Six years later, and nine years after the settlement with PNGFA was signed, the issue has again returned to the surface.

Despite everything that happened, Serritslev says he has not completely abandoned the expectation that PNGFA might eventually honour what he believes remains outstanding. His reaction to the recent debate over payments to Papua New Guinea players was therefore not simply criticism, but renewed hope.

“Every normal FA has the pride not to cheat on anyone, so I still believe PNGFA will pay me what they owe me. That’s why I got happy when they started to pay their debt to players and staff,” he told OFCe.

For the coach who came within a penalty shootout of delivering Papua New Guinea its first OFC Nations Cup title, the wait continues.

“No normal FA will award the coach, who made the best result ever for PNG, by not paying him!” Serritslev said. “So, I am still optimistic.”

Vanuatu leave out Alex Saniel as Richard Iwai names reshaped squad for MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title defence

Vanuatu will defend their MSG Prime Minister’s Cup crown with a significantly reshaped national team after the Vanuatu Football Federation confirmed a 20-man squad for the 2026 tournament in Fiji. The selection, which will be led by Richard Iwai, contains a mixture of experienced internationals and a considerable number of players with limited exposure at senior international level, while several of the country’s most prominent names are absent.

The most striking omission is Alex Saniel. The 29-year-old striker has enjoyed arguably the best year of his career, finishing as the inaugural OFC Pro League Golden Boot winner after scoring 11 goals for Vanuatu United. He later joined Caroline Springs George Cross on loan in Australia and ended his NPL Victoria spell by scoring the winner against South Melbourne before returning to Vanuatu. Saniel was also one of the central figures in Vanuatu’s 2025 MSG triumph, opening the scoring in the final against Papua New Guinea before the national team eventually prevailed on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Despite that record, Saniel is not among the 20 players selected for Fiji. His absence means Vanuatu will attempt to retain the regional title without the player who led the scoring charts in Oceania’s new professional competition only a few months ago. Jason Thomas and Michel Coulon are also among the established internationals missing from the squad, while Central Coast Mariners captain Brian Kaltak is another major name not included.

There is, however, considerable experience remaining. Azariah Soromon returns to the national-team setup and is likely to carry a large part of Vanuatu’s attacking responsibility. The former Suva and Southern United forward has been a regular figure for the national side across several international campaigns and spent the inaugural OFC Pro League season with Vanuatu United.

John Alick is another major inclusion. The experienced midfielder represented PNG Hekari FC during the OFC Pro League and remains one of Vanuatu’s most recognisable internationals. Tony Kaltack, Kaloran Firiam and Kathy Iamak also provide experience to a squad that otherwise gives Richard Iwai considerable room to introduce different faces into the senior national-team environment.

Firiam’s presence is particularly significant considering his role in Vanuatu’s 2025 triumph. The goalkeeper was crucial during the penalty shootout against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby as Vanuatu secured their first MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title. Bill Kaltfer Kaltack, who converted the decisive penalty in that final, has also been retained for the defence of the crown.

The composition nevertheless points towards a clear transition. Ryan Brendem Wanemut, Waisale Richard, Obed Solomon, Shem Sopuso, Nalihi John Ehnarua, Jayson Bule, Henry Namatak, Andrew Malakai, Alick Worworbu and Peter Naswai Ignace Iamak are among the players who will have an opportunity to establish themselves during a tournament in which Vanuatu arrive with a very different-looking group from some of their recent international selections.

There has also been a change on the touchline. Lars Hopp was in charge when Vanuatu hosted Fiji for two international friendlies in June, winning the first match 2-1 before drawing the second 2-2. Richard Iwai is now listed as the national-team head coach and will lead the defending champions in Fiji, assisted by Jean Yves Galinie. Iwai was also involved in Vanuatu United setup, alongside Hopp that was the head coach in the OFC Pro League’s first season.

The 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup is scheduled to take place in Suva between September and early October, bringing together Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Vanuatu’s campaign begins against Papua New Guinea, immediately recreating the fixture that decided the 2025 title, before matches against hosts Fiji, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.

That opening encounter will offer an early indication of what this new-look Vanuatu side can produce. Twelve months ago, Saniel, Firiam and their teammates left Port Moresby as champions after one of the most dramatic matches of the competition. This time, the goalkeeper remains but the leading scorer of that campaign will not be there, leaving Soromon, Alick and a new generation of players with the responsibility of keeping the trophy in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu’s 20-man squad consists of Azariah Soromon, John Alick, Kaloran Firiam, Semici Kaltack, Tony Kaltack, Ryan Brendem Wanemut, Kathy Iamak, Edward Tamani Roqara, Zachariah Walu, Jacques Wanemut, Waisale Richard, Obed Solomon, Shem Sopuso, Bill Kaltfer Kaltack, Nalihi John Ehnarua, Jayson Bule, Henry Namatak, Andrew Malaki, Alick Worworbu and Peter Naswai Ignace Iamak.

“There should be no room for match-fixing”: Navua coach Rodicks Singh makes strong integrity statement after BOG exit

Navua head coach Rodicks Singh has made one of the strongest public statements of the 2026 Battle of the Giants after his side bowed out of the tournament, using a social media post to stress the importance of integrity and fair play following Navua’s final group-stage match against Labasa. Although Navua were already out of semifinal contention, the result of their last match still had a major effect on the Group A race, with Labasa needing a convincing win to keep their own hopes alive after Nasinu had already secured a 2-1 victory over Suva.

Instead of treating the match as a formality, Navua pushed Labasa all the way and were beaten only 2-1, a result that sent Nasinu through to the semifinals and eliminated the defending champions. Shortly afterwards, Singh published a message framing Navua’s performance as a stand for fairness within the competition. “Football is bigger than one result, one team, or one tournament. It is about fair play, sportsmanship, integrity, and giving every team a genuine opportunity to compete,” he wrote, before adding that Navua had “allowed the game to be decided fairly on the field, without any arrangement that could unfairly influence the outcome or affect another team’s chances.”

The wording of Singh’s statement immediately drew attention because it went beyond the usual language of disappointment after elimination. The Navua coach explicitly referred to the dangers of “match-fixing” and “manipulation”, presenting his team’s effort as a message about protecting the spirit of the competition. “There should be no room for match-fixing, manipulation, or decisions that undermine the spirit of competition. Every team deserves a fair chance, and every supporter deserves to believe that results are earned honestly,” Singh said. At the same time, he was careful to make clear that Navua had not been directly targeted in that sense, writing: “We were never approached but easily circumstances could have unfolded knowing what is at stake.”

That final clarification is crucial. Singh did not accuse Labasa, Fiji FA or any other party of approaching Navua or attempting to influence the outcome of the match. However, the fact that a top-flight coach felt compelled to publicly raise the possibility of such scenarios, even while stating that no approach was made, is in itself significant. It reflects the tension surrounding a decisive final round in which one already-eliminated team still held real power over another side’s semifinal fate and suggests that Navua wanted to make it absolutely clear that their approach had been guided only by sporting principle.

Singh went on to describe Navua’s exit as something more meaningful than a simple elimination. “We bowed out of the tournament, and doing so with dignity and integrity, sent a powerful message,” he wrote. He also praised both Navua Football and Navua FA for standing by what he described as the right path. “Navua FA chose integrity. Navua Football chose fair play. Navua Football showed that sometimes the greatest victory is standing for what is right—even if it means bowing out of the tournament.” In that context, the coach was not celebrating defeat, but rather presenting his side’s performance as proof that teams have a duty to compete honestly regardless of whether they still have something tangible to gain.

The post adds a political and ethical layer to Navua’s tournament story. Their BOG campaign did not end with qualification, but Singh’s words ensure it will still be remembered. In a competition often defined by pressure, rivalry and the pursuit of silverware, his message shifted the discussion toward credibility, trust and the need for supporters to believe that football in Fiji is being decided in the right way.

Whether the statement sparks a wider conversation or remains an isolated reaction, Singh has already ensured that Navua’s final act at the 2026 Battle of the Giants will be viewed through a broader lens. They may have left the tournament, but their coach made it clear that, in his eyes, how they left mattered just as much as the result itself.

Galaxy core spotted training with Vanuatu United as club shapes new-look squad for second OFC Pro League season

Vanuatu United appear to be preparing significant changes to their playing group ahead of the second season of the OFC Pro League, with a number of established Vanuatu internationals and recent Galaxy FC players now training with the country’s professional club in Port Vila.

No complete list of new signings has yet been announced by Vanuatu United, and the contractual status of several players remains unclear. However, recent training footage reviewed by Oceania Football Center shows a considerably different group from the one that contested the inaugural Pro League season.

Among the most significant names identified are Bong Kalo, Claude Aru, Joe Moses, Henry Namatak and Malakai Andrew, all of whom were part of the Galaxy FC squad that recently represented Vanuatu at the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League.

Ryan Wanemut, Jack Wanemut and Waesale Iwai have also been identified among the players involved in Vanuatu United’s current preparations.

At this stage, OFCe cannot confirm whether all of those players have signed professional contracts, are undergoing trials or have been temporarily included in the group for the upcoming friendly matches against Central Coast Mariners.

What is clear is that they are training with Vanuatu United, while local reporting has also indicated that several new faces are preparing to make their first appearances for the club. Some of those players previously represented Galaxy at the recent OFC Champions League and have joined the Vanuatu United training group ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.

That makes the Galaxy connection particularly difficult to ignore.

The Port Vila side reached the semi-finals of the OFC Champions League in Fiji after winning all three of their group matches. Their experienced Ni-Vanuatu contingent included several of the players who are now appearing in Vanuatu United training.

Bong Kalo remains one of the best-known midfielders of his generation in Vanuatu. A long-time national-team player, Kalo has extensive continental experience with Galaxy and previously spent time overseas in Switzerland and Fiji. He was again part of Galaxy’s Champions League squad this year.

Joe Moses was another important member of Galaxy’s continental campaign. The Vanuatu international featured during their strong run in Fiji and scored in the 7-1 victory over Tupapa Maraerenga. He also carries overseas experience from his previous spell with Suva in Fiji.

Henry Namatak was also heavily involved with Galaxy. The defender was part of their Champions League group and had already produced one of the most remarkable performances of their domestic qualifying campaign, scoring a hat-trick in a 10-0 victory over Rocky FC.

Claude Aru, meanwhile, brings considerable experience from both Vanuatu and Fiji and was another member of Galaxy’s 2026 continental squad.

The player locally known as Malakai Andrew can also now be identified among the Vanuatu United training group. Registered internationally as Andrew Malakai, the midfielder made an impressive start to Galaxy’s Champions League campaign, scoring the opening goal of their 4-1 victory over Rewa in Lautoka.

Malakai has also broken into the Vanuatu senior national-team environment, adding another established international-level player to the group currently being assessed by Vanuatu United.

Together, their presence suggests Vanuatu United may be looking closely at a substantial section of the strongest local talent currently available in Port Vila.

The situation should still be treated carefully.

Training with the team does not necessarily mean every player will be contracted for the next Pro League campaign. The upcoming matches against Central Coast Mariners offer Vanuatu United an ideal opportunity to assess potential additions under considerably more demanding conditions than normal domestic training sessions.

The A-League club will visit Port Vila for matches at Freshwater Stadium on September 9 and September 12.

The series will be significant for Vanuatu United as the club continues its preparations for a second season in Oceania’s professional competition, while also providing an immediate test for the new faces currently involved with the squad.

There is also an important distinction between the potential newcomers and several familiar players now back with the group.

Jason Thomas, for example, should not be considered a new addition. The experienced Vanuatu international was already an important centre-back during Vanuatu United’s inaugural Pro League season and featured regularly throughout the campaign.

Similarly, Alex Saniel is back with the group after completing his short loan spell with Caroline Springs George Cross in Australia.

Saniel was Vanuatu United’s standout scorer during the inaugural OFC Pro League, finishing as the competition’s first Golden Boot winner with 11 goals. His return provides the club with an established attacking reference while the coaching staff assesses potential reinforcements around him.

Matthew Acton is also involved in the current training environment. The Australian-Vanuatu goalkeeper featured prominently during the inaugural campaign, although his current involvement appears to carry a significant coaching element as well.

Acton has increasingly moved into goalkeeper coaching and development work, and his presence around the squad may now reflect a dual role rather than simply competition for the starting goalkeeper position.

Another confirmed part of Vanuatu United’s recruitment strategy has already emerged at youth level.

The club signed Vanuatu U-16 captain Ala Leo Russell, making the highly rated youngster one of the most notable young additions to the professional setup.

The combination is significant.

Vanuatu United appear to be retaining important members of their inaugural squad, welcoming back players such as Saniel from overseas spells, investing in some of the country’s best young talent and simultaneously assessing established senior players from the domestic game.

It comes after an unusual first OFC Pro League campaign.

Vanuatu United finished seventh during the regular season but dramatically improved once the competition entered its second phase, topping the Challengers Group before defeating Bula FC 2-1 in the semi-final playoff.

Their run eventually ended against South Melbourne in the semi-finals, but the late-season improvement demonstrated what the club could achieve while also highlighting areas that could be strengthened for the second campaign.

The possible addition of a sizeable group of Galaxy players could significantly increase the experience available within the squad.

Kalo, Moses, Aru, Namatak and Malakai Andrew have all recently competed together at the highest level of Oceanian club football. Their familiarity with each other, combined with international experience accumulated with Vanuatu, would provide an established local core rather than forcing the club to build its chemistry from the beginning.

The presence of Ryan Wanemut, Jack Wanemut and Waesale Iwai adds further intrigue to the current training group, although their exact status with Vanuatu United also remains to be established.

For now, there has been no broad transfer announcement confirming these players as permanent additions.

But Vanuatu United’s preparations are already revealing plenty.

With Central Coast Mariners arriving in Port Vila and the club building towards its second professional campaign, the upcoming matches may provide the clearest indication yet of which familiar faces are simply being assessed — and which could become part of a significantly strengthened Vanuatu United squad for the next OFC Pro League season.

New Caledonia hit PNG for seven as Solomon Islands complete perfect OFC U-19 group stage

Solomon Islands confirmed themselves as one of the leading contenders at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship by completing a perfect Group A campaign, while New Caledonia produced the performance of the final matchday with a remarkable 7-0 demolition of Papua New Guinea to secure the second semi-final berth.

The final round in Apia began with the biggest question surrounding second place. Solomon Islands had already secured progression, but Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia were separated by goal difference and met directly with their tournament hopes on the line.

By half-time, New Caledonia had emphatically answered that question.

Captain Sipané Qaeze opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a long-range effort that took a deflection before finding the bottom corner.

PNG remained within reach for much of the half, but the match changed completely during a devastating New Caledonian spell immediately before the interval.

Grégory Diko converted from the penalty spot in the 40th minute before Jemmanuel Siwoine made it 3-0 three minutes later. Kynaï Toto then struck on the stroke of half-time, leaving New Caledonia four goals ahead and effectively putting the qualification battle beyond PNG.

There was no easing off after the break.

Siwoine grabbed his second goal in the 80th minute before substitutes Bento Lages and Alexis Ijelipa added two more in the closing stages, completing an extraordinary 7-0 victory.

The result represented an emphatic response from a New Caledonian side that had suffered a 3-1 defeat to Solomon Islands in its previous match. It also continued an impressive recent record against PNG: New Caledonia have now beaten them in four consecutive OFC U-19 Championship meetings.

For Siwoine, the brace took him to three goals for the tournament, making him New Caledonia’s leading scorer after the group stage.

Patty strikes again as Solomon Islands finish perfect

If New Caledonia supplied the drama, Solomon Islands provided another demonstration of consistency.

The Junior Kurukurus defeated hosts Samoa 2-0, completing Group A with three victories from three and conceding only once.

Once again, Jayroll Patty was the central figure.

Fresh from scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands captain opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Wilkenson Siosi created the opportunity and Patty finished left-footed into the bottom corner.

Samoa did have opportunities to make the contest uncomfortable for the group leaders. Javier Arratia-Pio came particularly close when he got behind the Solomon Islands defence and struck the post, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.

The game remained 1-0 until the final minute, when Patty broke into the penalty area, rounded the goalkeeper and finished to make it 2-0.

It completed another decisive individual performance from the captain and took his tally to five goals in his last two matches, putting him at the top of the Group A scoring chart.

Solomon Islands therefore finish the group stage with a flawless record: three wins, six goals scored and only one conceded. They defeated Papua New Guinea 1-0, New Caledonia 3-1 and Samoa 2-0 to collect the maximum nine points. It is the third time in the last six editions that Solomon Islands have topped their group at the tournament.

Group A decided

The final standings leave Solomon Islands first with nine points, followed by New Caledonia on six and Papua New Guinea on three. Samoa finish without a point after three defeats.

The contrast between New Caledonia and PNG on the final day was particularly striking. PNG had revived their campaign by defeating Samoa 4-2 in the previous round and entered the decisive match still capable of reaching the semi-finals. Instead, New Caledonia turned what appeared likely to be a tense qualification battle into the most one-sided result of Group A.

New Caledonia also finish as the group’s highest-scoring team with 12 goals, although their defeat to Solomon Islands means they advance in second place.

The consequences are now clear.

Solomon Islands will face the Group B runners-up in Friday’s first semi-final, while New Caledonia will meet the Group B winners in the other. New Zealand have already qualified from Group B, while Fiji, Tahiti and Vanuatu enter the final round with the remaining positions still to be settled.

Papua New Guinea move into the fifth-place play-off, while Samoa will contest seventh place.

Much more than a place in the continental final will be at stake when Solomon Islands and New Caledonia return for the semi-finals. Both finalists at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Solomon Islands are now only one victory away from returning to the global stage for the first time since their historic FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance in 2025, while New Caledonia remain alive in their pursuit of a second consecutive qualification.

Fiji FA plans tougher drug policy following BOG controversy

The Fiji Football Association is preparing to review its social drug policy, with tougher sanctions for offending players potentially on the way following renewed concerns surrounding drug cases in domestic football.

Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf confirmed that the association intends to conduct a full review of the existing policy before October, with proposed changes expected to be taken to the Fiji FA Council for approval.

The development comes at a particularly relevant moment after drug-related disciplinary matters again became a talking point during the 2026 Battle of the Giants.

“We are going to review the entire social drug policy,” Yusuf said, explaining that the association wants to formulate stronger measures and increase the consequences faced by players who breach the regulations.

The current BOG has once again highlighted the scale and complexity of the problem. Two positive results were recorded from the first 48 drug tests conducted during the tournament, although a further 24 tests carried out on the second day all returned negative results.

The situation has attracted additional attention because Fiji football has already dealt with several drug cases during the 2026 season. At the Fiji FACT, four prohibited-drug positives were reported from 72 tests, involving three marijuana cases and one methamphetamine case. Three were reportedly repeat offenders.

Questions surrounding the effectiveness and consistency of the existing disciplinary system were also raised during the BOG after players whose previous cases remained unresolved were allowed to return to competition.

The planned review therefore represents an important next step for Fiji FA as it attempts to strengthen its response to a problem that has repeatedly surfaced at major domestic tournaments.

Yusuf indicated that the association does not intend to address the issue solely through football sanctions. Fiji FA also wants greater cooperation with organisations and authorities involved in combating drug use in Fiji, combining disciplinary measures with a broader effort to tackle the problem.

Any changes approved following the review could have significant consequences for players and clubs across Fiji’s domestic competitions.

With drug testing now a regular feature of the country’s major football tournaments, the question will be whether stronger sanctions and a revised policy can provide the deterrent Fiji FA is seeking — and prevent the same disciplinary uncertainty from continuing into future competitions.

“Football is not a career in Fiji”: Bruce Hughes explains BOG absence and highlights reality facing local players

Nasinu striker Bruce Hughes has explained why he is not taking part in the 2026 Battle of the Giants, but his public message went considerably further than simply addressing his absence from the tournament. One of the most productive forwards in the current Fiji Premier League season, Hughes used the questions surrounding him to speak openly about player compensation, the rising cost of living and the difficulty of treating domestic football in Fiji as a genuine full-time career.

Hughes said he had received several questions and had seen posts asking why he was not involved in the BOG. The forward pointed out that he has already experienced success in the competition and has other commitments and ambitions away from the pitch. “I’ve won BOG and all and I’ve already made my name up there and it’s just I have commitments and dreams to achieve,” Hughes wrote. He then delivered the central point of his message: “At the end of the day football is not a career in Fiji due to what we are paid in my understanding.”

His comments carry particular weight considering Hughes’ own position in Fijian football. The Nasinu attacker has scored eight goals in the 2026 Premier League, placing him among the leading scorers in the country. He is also no stranger to the biggest moments of the Battle of the Giants. In 2020, wearing Rewa colours, Hughes scored the only goal of the final as the Delta Tigers defeated Suva 1-0 to lift the trophy. Six years later, he remains capable of making an important impact at the highest level of Fiji’s domestic game, yet his football career exists alongside commitments outside the sport.

A live video involving Hughes provided a very visible example of that reality. The Nasinu forward was seen working as a barber, something that gives additional context to the message he later published. A player can be one of the leading scorers in Fiji, a former BOG final match-winner and a familiar name in the country’s domestic football scene, while at the same time needing another occupation away from training and match days.

Hughes specifically pointed towards the economic changes taking place around players. “Everything is upgrading and the cost of living is high but the players in Fiji our pay remains the same,” he wrote, encouraging people who doubted his assessment to speak with players and their families. For Hughes, reaching the conclusion that football does not provide sufficient financial value means looking elsewhere rather than depending exclusively on the game. He described football as a “gift, talent and a hobby” in explaining why he has chosen to focus on other commitments as well.

His experience is not an isolated contradiction within the structure of Fijian football. Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf stated in 2025 that players competing in the country’s domestic leagues were amateur, with no salaries being paid and players instead receiving expenses related to training. The situation has been openly acknowledged within the game for years. Yusuf had previously spoken about Fijian footballers working during the day before attending training in the afternoon, while Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel urged business owners in Ba in 2023 to support players by providing employment if they wanted the district to retain its squad.

It is a reality familiar across much of Pacific football. Players can represent major districts, compete in national tournaments, become well known among supporters and even reach international level while football remains only one part of their working lives. Training, travelling and competing at a demanding level have to be combined with jobs, education or other sources of income. The arrival of the OFC Professional League has started to create a different pathway for a limited group of players in the region, but the traditional domestic structure in countries such as Fiji remains very different from the full-time professional environment commonly associated with football elsewhere.

That context makes Hughes’ absence from the BOG more significant than the absence of a single player. He is not stepping away because he has failed to establish himself in the competition; he has already scored the goal that won a BOG final. Nor has his performance disappeared at domestic level, with eight league goals for Nasinu this season. Instead, a player still performing at a high level has publicly explained that football alone does not offer the financial security he believes is necessary.

Hughes ended his message with a simple demand: “PLAYERS NEED TO BE VALUED AND WELL TAKEN OFF.” His words open a broader conversation around what being a leading footballer actually means in Fiji. The trophies, goals and recognition remain important, but for many of those producing the spectacle every weekend, there is another working life continuing away from the football field.