International football returns to Rarotonga as Cook Islands prepare for two matches against Tahiti

The Cook Islands men’s national team will return to international action on home soil later this month, with Tahiti travelling to Rarotonga for a two-match series at the CIFA Complex.

The two Pacific nations will meet on Saturday, 26 September, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm, before facing each other again on Wednesday, 30 September, at 4pm.

Both matches will be played at the Cook Islands Football Association Complex in Rarotonga, with free entry announced for supporters.

The fixtures give the Cook Islands a valuable opportunity to play senior international football at home and come during a period of renewed activity around the national team.

Rhys Ruka was appointed head coach of the Cook Islands men’s national team in August, placing the Tahiti matches among the first major assignments of his tenure.

Tahiti will provide a demanding test.

The two nations have met several times across Pacific competitions and international friendlies, with Tahiti traditionally holding the stronger record. Their most recent meetings came in French Polynesia in 2023, when Tahiti recorded victories in both matches.

Those results included a 9-1 win followed by a 3-0 victory, meaning the upcoming games will offer the Cook Islands a chance to measure their development against familiar regional opposition three years later.

There is also added significance in the location.

Senior international fixtures in Rarotonga are relatively uncommon compared with the regular international schedules enjoyed by some of Oceania’s larger football nations. Two matches against established OFC opposition therefore provide not only competitive preparation but also a rare opportunity for the local football community to watch the national men’s side at home.

For Tahiti, the trip offers another chance to maintain international activity against Pacific opposition while broadening the playing opportunities available to the squad outside major OFC competitions.

For the Cook Islands, however, the importance is more immediate. Two matches in four days against one of Oceania’s established national teams will give Ruka and his staff an opportunity to assess players, combinations and the direction of the side in a genuine international environment.

The first match takes place on 26 September at 6pm, followed by the second encounter on 30 September at 4pm, both at the CIFA Complex in Rarotonga.

All Whites add Palestine and China PR friendlies to busy post-World Cup calendar

New Zealand have added two more international matches to an increasingly busy programme following their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, with the All Whites set to face Palestine and China PR before travelling to Japan for the Kirin Cup.

Darren Bazeley’s side will take on Palestine on 24 September before facing China PR on 28 September, with both matches to be played in Chongqing. The additions mean New Zealand are now scheduled to play four games during the extended September-October international period.

The All Whites will move directly from China to Japan, where they have already been confirmed as one of four participants in the 2026 Kirin Cup alongside hosts Japan, Ecuador and Panama.

New Zealand open the tournament against Panama at Yokohama International Stadium on 1 October. Japan face Ecuador later on the same day, with the competition then moving to Tokyo’s National Stadium on 5 October. The winners of the opening matches will meet one another, while the defeated teams will contest the other fixture, meaning New Zealand will finish the tournament against either Japan or Ecuador.

It represents a demanding Asian programme for a team beginning a new cycle immediately after competing at the World Cup.

All four nations involved in the Kirin Cup also featured at the 2026 World Cup, giving Bazeley another opportunity to test his squad against opposition accustomed to football at the highest international level.

When New Zealand announced their participation in the tournament, Bazeley highlighted the importance of continuing to expose the squad to strong international opposition and to tournament-style football.

The September and October programme also demonstrates New Zealand Football’s intention to maintain the momentum surrounding the national team beyond the World Cup rather than entering a quieter rebuilding period.

The All Whites’ year will not finish in Asia either.

New Zealand will return home in November for a two-match series against India, meeting the South Asian side at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on 12 November before playing again three days later at the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.

The Christchurch fixture will be particularly significant as the first football match announced for the new venue and will also mark another rare meeting between the two national teams.

New Zealand and India have only met twice previously at senior level. Their first encounter finished goalless in 1981, while the All Whites defeated India 2-1 at the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.

The India series is scheduled to close New Zealand’s 2026 international programme.

With Palestine, China PR, Panama, either Japan or Ecuador and then two matches against India all awaiting after the World Cup, the All Whites are set for a particularly active conclusion to the year — and one which gives Bazeley little shortage of opportunities to begin shaping the team for its next international cycle.

Ba coach Ravinesh Kumar hits back after Fiji FA punishment, claims children were mistreated in tunnel incident

The controversy surrounding Ba FC following last weekend’s Battle of the Giants match against Lautoka has escalated, with head coach Ravinesh Kumar publicly challenging the account of the incident that led to disciplinary action from the Fiji Football Association.

Fiji FA issued Kumar with a final warning and an undisclosed monetary fine following an incident involving a security officer after Ba’s 3-1 victory over Lautoka at 4R Stadium Govind Park. According to the association, the confrontation developed after people connected to Ba attempted to enter the changing-room area without the required passes.

Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf said the association had received reports from security officers, the security company, competition managers and officials responsible for the restricted areas before the competitions committee reached its decision.

Under the ruling, Kumar has been given a final warning and could receive a five-match ban from the Ba bench should similar behaviour occur again. The fine must also be paid before Ba’s Battle of the Giants semifinal against Suva.

Former Ba and Fiji national team goalkeeper Isikeli Seva Senior has separately been banned from the changing-room and ground areas and will only be permitted to watch matches from the stands. Fiji FA identified Seva as one of the people who attempted to enter the restricted area without an official pass.

However, Kumar has now offered a significantly different account of what triggered his reaction.

Speaking to FBC Sports, the Ba coach acknowledged raising his voice but rejected the suggestion that his argument with the security officer was simply because supporters had been denied access to the restricted area.

Kumar claims the confrontation developed because of the way some players and children connected to Ba FA president were treated by security while attempting to enter. He said the president’s son sustained bruising to his hand and that Ba possesses evidence of what occurred.

The coach also claimed that the moments which prompted his reaction were not included in the video of the confrontation that subsequently circulated publicly.

“People are saying I overreacted. I have raised my voice, yes, I have done that because the children were abused,” Kumar told FBC Sports, arguing that attention had subsequently focused on his reaction rather than the circumstances he says preceded it.

Kumar further alleged that Fiji FA officials were present inside the tunnel and witnessed what was happening without intervening. According to the coach, Ba has submitted its own report and supporting evidence to the national association concerning the treatment of the children.

Despite challenging the narrative surrounding the incident, Kumar confirmed that Ba respects Fiji FA’s disciplinary decision and will pay the fine.

The competing accounts add another layer to what has already been an eventful Battle of the Giants campaign for Ba. Kumar’s team recovered from a 3-0 defeat against Rewa to defeat Lautoka 3-1 in their final group match and secure a place in the semifinals.

Ba will now face Suva at 2:30pm on Saturday at 4R Stadium Govind Park, with the controversy surrounding their coach providing an unusual backdrop to one of the tournament’s biggest matches.

The second semifinal will see Nasinu face Rewa at 4:30pm, with the Battle of the Giants final scheduled for Sunday.

New Zealand hammer New Caledonia to reach OFC U-19 final and secure FIFA U-20 World Cup place

New Zealand left no room for another surprise at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship, sweeping aside New Caledonia 6-1 in the second semi-final in Apia to book their place in the final and confirm qualification for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The defending champions controlled the contest from the opening stages and gradually turned that superiority into a heavy scoreline, with Harley Hill scoring twice and Alex Lienard, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Nathan Martin and Oliver Grosso also finding the net. Maurice Katrawa scored New Caledonia’s consolation from the penalty spot, the first goal New Zealand have conceded in the tournament.

New Zealand had most of the possession and territory early on, but New Caledonia initially managed to keep the game relatively compact. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 23rd minute after Aaron Cartwright beat his marker and released Hill with a well-weighted through ball. The forward made no mistake, driving a low finish beyond goalkeeper Raphael Genton to open the scoring.

Hill nearly doubled the advantage shortly afterwards, forcing Genton into an important save, while New Caledonia struggled to create anything clear at the other end.

The second goal came shortly before half-time. Bailey Ferguson picked out the run of captain Alex Lienard, who advanced into space and finished low beneath Genton in a move very similar to the opener.

New Caledonia did have a chance immediately after the restart, with Kylian Wiako getting behind the New Zealand defence, but his effort went over the bar. It proved to be one of the few moments in which the Group A runners-up seriously threatened before the match got away from them.

New Zealand effectively settled the semi-final just six minutes into the second half. Ferguson once again exposed the New Caledonian defensive line and found Hill, who finished first time with his left foot to make it 3-0.

Three minutes later, Hill turned provider. The striker drove through the defence, rounded Genton and squared the ball for Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, who was left with a simple finish into an exposed goal.

By then, New Caledonia were unable to contain the pace and movement of the defending champions. A fifth arrived in the 64th minute when Oliver Grosso struck the post and substitute Nathan Martin reacted quickest to the rebound, turning the loose ball into the net.

With the result already beyond doubt, New Caledonia continued pushing for something from the match and were rewarded in the 70th minute. They were awarded a penalty and Maurice Katrawa converted from the spot, becoming the first player to score against New Zealand at this year’s tournament.

It did little to change the direction of the contest.

New Zealand continued controlling proceedings and eventually added a sixth deep into stoppage time, when Grosso completed the scoring in the 95th minute.

The 6-1 victory continues a dominant tournament for the Junior All Whites. New Zealand won all three of their group matches, scoring 16 goals without conceding before the semi-final, including an 8-0 victory over Tahiti and a 6-0 win against Vanuatu.

New Caledonia, meanwhile, had reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group A. Their campaign included a 4-2 victory over Samoa and a commanding 7-0 win against Papua New Guinea, but they were unable to reproduce that attacking threat against the tournament favourites.

For New Zealand, the victory achieves the primary objective of the competition. By reaching the final, they have secured one of Oceania’s two places at the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The result also sets up an intriguing rematch in the OFC final. New Zealand will face Tahiti, the same side they demolished 8-0 in their opening group match. Tahiti, however, have since recovered dramatically, culminating in their 2-1 semi-final victory over Solomon Islands and their own qualification for the World Cup.

New Caledonia will now face Solomon Islands in the third-place playoff, while New Zealand and Tahiti meet with the OFC U-19 title on the line.

Tahiti stun Solomon Islands to reach OFC U-19 final and secure FIFA U-20 World Cup qualification

Tahiti completed a remarkable turnaround at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship by defeating previously unbeaten Solomon Islands 2-1 in the first semi-final at Football HQ in Apia, securing both a place in the continental final and qualification for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Second-half goals from Bradley Ruiz and Herehei Teaha decided a match in which Solomon Islands created enough opportunities to have written a very different ending to their campaign. Kennedy Shiu pulled one back deep into stoppage time, but Tahiti survived the final moments to claim one of Oceania’s places at next year’s global tournament.

Solomon Islands entered the semi-final after winning all three of their group matches and immediately tried to impose themselves. One of their best early opportunities came in the ninth minute, when Wilkenson Siosi was denied from close range by Tahiti goalkeeper Tokihi Tahutini before Shiu sent the rebound over the crossbar.

Tahiti gradually settled into the contest and began creating danger of their own, particularly from a succession of corners. Oguen Teanihi fired narrowly over, while Kali Lenoir had an even clearer opportunity shortly after the half-hour mark, arriving unmarked inside the penalty area only to volley over an exposed goal.

The first half also brought problems for Solomon Islands beyond the scoreline. Carlwin Wane was forced off after only 19 minutes, and goalkeeper Jaron Faiga was also unable to complete the half. Peter Mautoa replaced Faiga shortly before the interval, leaving the Young Bonitos having already made two enforced changes before the break.

Despite those setbacks, Solomon Islands again began strongly after half-time. Shiu produced a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area, but Tahutini responded with an excellent one-handed save to keep Tahiti level.

The pressure continued, and around the hour mark Solomon Islands came desperately close to breaking through. Captain Jayroll Patty drove into the area, moving past a defender and then the goalkeeper before creating what appeared to be a simple finish for Siosi. Bradley Ruiz, however, recovered in time to make a crucial clearance directly in front of the Solomon Islands forward.

That intervention became even more important moments later.

Tahiti were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the Solomon Islands penalty area after Mautoa handled a back pass. The ball was laid off to Ruiz, who drove a powerful low effort through a crowd of defenders and into the net in the 61st minute.

After spending much of the match resisting Solomon Islands pressure, Tahiti suddenly had the advantage and the prospect of World Cup qualification within reach.

Solomon Islands pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Tahiti struck again with ten minutes remaining. Keahinui Brown beat his marker down the right side and kept his composure before delivering a low square pass across goal. Herehei Teaha met it in the middle and finished beyond Mautoa to make it 2-0.

The second goal left Solomon Islands needing a dramatic recovery to save their tournament. They continued attacking and were finally rewarded two minutes into stoppage time when Shiu unleashed a powerful drive to reduce the deficit.

There was not enough time for another comeback.

Tahiti held on for the 2-1 victory, ending Solomon Islands’ perfect tournament record at the stage where the stakes were highest. The Young Bonitos had collected nine points from nine during the group phase and arrived at the semi-final having conceded only once, but their hopes of reaching the FIFA U-20 World Cup ended one match short of qualification.

For Tahiti, the achievement represents an extraordinary recovery after a difficult start to the competition. The French Polynesian side opened their campaign with an 8-0 defeat against New Zealand before recovering sufficiently to progress from the group and then producing their biggest result of the tournament against Solomon Islands.

Their reward is a place in the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship final and, regardless of the result there, a ticket to the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Solomon Islands, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a match in which the opportunities were there. Tahutini’s saves, Ruiz’s goal-line intervention and Tahiti’s effectiveness at decisive moments ultimately separated the teams, bringing an impressive Solomon Islands campaign to a painful end.

From futsal in Solomon Islands to leading Nasinu: Billy Afi makes his mark at the Battle of the Giants

Billy Afi’s journey from futsal in Solomon Islands to becoming one of Nasinu’s leading figures in Fiji has taken another significant step at the 2026 Battle of the Giants, where the midfielder has captained the side, scored important goals and helped them reach the semifinals.

The Solomon Islander has been one of the standout figures in a Nasinu team that has performed considerably better in the tournament than its league campaign might have suggested. With regular captain Micah Dau away representing Fiji at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship, Afi was handed the armband for the BOG and has embraced the additional responsibility.

Speaking exclusively to Oceania Football Center, Afi said the tournament has represented an important moment for a team that has been rebuilding its place among Fiji’s competitive sides.

“Our captain went for the U-19 OFC, so I captained the team for this BOG,” Afi explained. “Looking at the team’s performance, this BOG has been good compared to the league.”

Nasinu’s campaign has also brought Afi himself into greater attention. He found the net during the pool stage against Navua with a remarkable free-kick, before scoring again against Suva as Nasinu secured a crucial 2-1 victory. That result helped push the side into the semifinals, with fellow Solomon Islander Paul Francis also scoring in the win.

The free-kick against Navua was particularly memorable, not least because Afi admitted it was hardly something he had rehearsed extensively.

“I never train any free-kicks. I just wanted to try it, but it went in,” he told OFCe.

Against Suva, his goal came in a very different way, with Afi finding the net from a cross-shot as Nasinu continued their strong tournament. His ability to contribute further forward also helps clarify something that has occasionally been confused in profiles of the player. Although Afi has sometimes been listed as a defender, he considers midfield his primary position.

“I played both attack and defence,” he said. Asked where he usually plays, his answer was straightforward: “Midfield.”

That versatility has accompanied Afi throughout a career that began in a different version of the game. Back in Solomon Islands, he first developed through futsal before moving into senior football with Henderson Eels, one of the country’s most established clubs.

“I started playing futsal, then later I joined Henderson Eels Football Club in 2022, 2023 and 2024,” Afi said.

His move to Fiji came last year, and football was the reason behind it. Afi initially joined Naitasiri after being approached through the club’s futsal setup.

“The Naitasiri futsal coach called me to join both futsal and football, so I joined them,” he explained.

His performances there soon attracted attention elsewhere. Nasinu’s coach saw Afi playing for Naitasiri and contacted him directly about making the switch.

“Nasinu’s coach saw me playing with Naitasiri last year, so he messaged me and told me he was interested in bringing me to Nasinu. So I came,” Afi said.

The transition from Solomon Islands football to Fiji also required adaptation. Afi highlighted one characteristic in particular when describing the difference he encountered.

“What I experienced was that Fiji soccer is very physical,” he said.

He has nevertheless settled into that environment and believes his time with Nasinu has been positive. Beyond the BOG itself, Afi points to the club’s ability to return to Fiji’s major tournaments as an indication of progress.

“It’s been good so far. After so long, Nasinu again qualified for three major tournaments here in Fiji,” he said.

The Battle of the Giants has arguably provided the clearest evidence of that progress. Nasinu entered the competition without the same expectations placed on some of Fiji’s traditional powers, but their pool-stage performances carried them into the final four.

Their semifinal opponent, Rewa, presents another significant challenge. Afi is well aware of the experience within the opposition but does not see Nasinu as simply making up the numbers.

“It’s not going to be easy for us because Rewa have experienced players and they are a really good team here in Fiji. But I believe in my boys. We are going to give them a good match,” he said.

Then came the line that perhaps best reflects Nasinu’s tournament so far.

“Anything can happen.”

Afi’s performances have also inevitably raised another question: whether his form in Fiji could open the door to the Solomon Islands national team. With the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup approaching, the midfielder could have another opportunity to place himself in contention.

He remains cautious about that possibility.

“I don’t know. We will see if there is any chance to be part of the national team for the MSG,” Afi said.

For a player who began through futsal, established himself with Henderson Eels and then took the opportunity to continue his career abroad, the past year has already represented a significant change. From Naitasiri to Nasinu, and now from squad member to BOG captain and goalscorer, Afi has steadily increased his influence in Fiji.

The semifinal against Rewa offers another opportunity to do so. Nasinu have already exceeded some expectations during the tournament, while Afi has turned the competition into one of the strongest individual stretches of his time in Fiji. Another big performance could extend both Nasinu’s unlikely BOG run and the conversation about where the Solomon Island midfielder’s career may take him next.

BOG drug-testing total rises to three positive cases as Fiji FA scrutiny intensifies

Fiji Football Association has confirmed that three players returned positive drug tests during the group stage of the 2026 Battle of the Giants, adding another development to an issue that has increasingly surrounded one of the country’s biggest football tournaments.

According to FBC News, 72 tests were conducted across the three days of group-stage competition. Two positive results were recorded from the 24 tests carried out on the opening day, while all 24 tests conducted on day two returned negative results. A further positive case was then recorded from the third set of 24 tests, taking the tournament total to three.

The updated figure represents a change from the situation previously reported by Oceania Football Center, when two positive cases had emerged from the first 48 tests conducted during the competition.

The identities of the three players who returned positive tests have not been publicly disclosed. There has also been no public indication so far regarding their clubs or what disciplinary consequences may follow from the results.

The development comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Fiji football, with drug testing and disciplinary procedures already under considerable attention during the Battle of the Giants. Fiji FA has been moving towards a stronger approach to drug-related offences, while questions have also emerged over how ongoing cases are handled before the disciplinary process has been completed.

Earlier in the tournament, players involved in unresolved cases dating from previous competitions were permitted to play while their respective proceedings remained pending. That situation created an important distinction between players who have tested positive and those who have already received a final disciplinary decision, with Fiji FA maintaining that due process must be respected before sanctions are imposed.

The latest positive result does not change that procedural principle, but it increases the number of cases Fiji FA will have to address following the group stage and adds further pressure on the association to clarify how its proposed tougher drug policy will operate in practice.

With three positive results from 72 tests, drug control has now become one of the main off-field issues of the 2026 Battle of the Giants. Attention will turn to the disciplinary process surrounding the newly detected cases and to whether Fiji FA provides further information before the tournament reaches its decisive stages.

Joe Bell becomes sixth All White to play in UEFA Champions League

Joe Bell has joined a small group in New Zealand football history after making his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League proper for Viking FK.

The All Whites midfielder played the full 90 minutes as the Norwegian champions began their league-phase campaign with a 3-1 defeat away to VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Viking were making their own debut at this stage of the Champions League, and Bell’s involvement added a New Zealand milestone to the occasion. UEFA’s match statistics record the 27-year-old with 90 minutes played, while the Norwegian side were beaten by a first-half hat-trick from Ermedin Demirović. Zlatko Tripić scored Viking’s goal.

For Bell, it represented another significant step in a career that has increasingly established him at a high level of European football.

The Wellington-born midfielder developed at the Wellington Phoenix academy before moving to the United States, where he played college football for Virginia Cavaliers. His professional career began with Viking in Norway in 2020, before a move to Danish club Brøndby followed in 2022.

Bell later spent time on loan with Viking before making his return to the Norwegian club permanent. He has since developed into an important figure in midfield and was part of the side that earned its place among Europe’s elite for the 2026/27 season.

His Champions League debut places him alongside a very select group of New Zealand internationals who have appeared in the competition proper.

Wynton Rufer remains comfortably the country’s most prominent figure in the tournament. The Oceania Player of the Century made 10 Champions League appearances for Werder Bremen and scored eight goals, a remarkable total that still places him among the most successful players from either New Zealand or Australia in the competition. UEFA’s historical records list Rufer as New Zealand’s leading Champions League appearance-maker before the current generation.

Marko Stamenic brought New Zealand back onto the Champions League stage decades later. The midfielder appeared in the competition with FC Copenhagen and later Red Star Belgrade, even finding the net at this level.

Bell now adds another name to that rare history.

The milestone is particularly notable because merely reaching the Champions League proper remains an uncommon achievement for New Zealand footballers. Numerous All Whites have built substantial careers in England and across Europe without ever appearing on club football’s biggest European stage.

Bell had already contributed during Viking’s qualification campaign. He was involved as the Norwegian club navigated its way into the league phase, including scoring during the qualifying victory over Dinamo Zagreb.

But qualification appearances and playing in the competition proper are different landmarks.

Walking onto the pitch against Stuttgart placed Bell among the New Zealanders who have actually competed on the Champions League’s main stage.

It also came against serious opposition. Stuttgart defeated Viking 3-1 in front of more than 57,000 spectators, with Demirović scoring three times between the 20th and 32nd minutes. Viking briefly levelled through Tripić after the German side’s opening goal but could not recover from the subsequent two-goal burst.

For Viking, however, this was only the beginning of their European campaign.

And for Bell, it opens the possibility of adding considerably more Champions League football to his career during the coming months.

At 27, and firmly established in the All Whites midfield, he has now reached a stage very few New Zealand footballers have experienced.

Joe Bell is a UEFA Champions League player — and only the sixth All White to become one.

Jimson Abana eyes new challenge after nine-goal Nadi season as overseas and Solomon Islands ambitions grow

Jimson Abana could be approaching the end of his spell with Nadi after a productive individual season in Fiji, with the Solomon Islands forward considering several possibilities for 2027 while continuing to pursue opportunities abroad. Speaking exclusively to Oceania Football Center, Abana confirmed that Nadi management would like him to remain at the club, but the 21-year-old is considering a new challenge after scoring nine goals in the 2026 Premier League campaign.

The Solomon Islander has been one of Nadi’s main attacking players this season, although the Jetsetters have endured a difficult year collectively. Their latest disappointment came at the Battle of the Giants, where Nadi failed to progress from the group stage. Abana played throughout the competition as a starter and believes one of the problems was the difficulty of integrating players who joined the squad shortly before the tournament, particularly reinforcements arriving from New Zealand.

“They brought new players from New Zealand, and they had only trained with the team for two days before the tournament. The communication was not really good compared with the boys who had been playing together from the beginning of the season,” Abana told OFCe.

Despite reaching nine goals in the league, Abana was critical when assessing his own performances. He believes the lack of understanding inside the team affected him and also pointed to the relative inexperience of several of Nadi’s younger players. The striker compared the situation with his previous spell at Labasa, where he felt the presence of experienced footballers around the squad made things easier for younger players looking to improve.

“At Labasa it was good because they had plenty of experienced players. At Nadi there are a lot of young players,” he explained. Abana believes being surrounded by more established footballers could help his own development, adding: “I want to play with experienced players so that when I make a mistake, they can tell me what I did wrong. Then I can learn from them.”

The forward nevertheless showed that he can deliver against some of Fiji’s strongest opposition. When discussing his season, Abana highlighted his ability to score against teams such as Rewa and Lautoka, clubs he considers among the leading sides in the country. His nine league goals represent a significant return in a season in which Nadi struggled to establish themselves among the strongest teams in the competition.

His future at Nadi is now uncertain. Abana confirmed that the club’s management wants him to stay, but other Fijian teams have also shown interest. The striker indicated that leaving Nadi is currently a serious possibility unless circumstances at the club change. Should an overseas move not materialise, he mentioned Lautoka, Navua and a possible return to Labasa among the options he could consider for next season.

Before any decision is made, however, Abana still has football ahead of him in 2026. He expects to participate in Fiji’s Inter District Championship in October before travelling to New Zealand to represent Labasa NZ at the Fiji community IDC. According to the forward, the Fiji tournament is scheduled for October 6 to 10, while the competition in New Zealand is expected to take place from October 20 to 26. His trip to New Zealand could also provide another opportunity to attract interest as he continues looking for the next step in his career.

Moving abroad remains Abana’s main long-term objective. The striker revealed that he began working with an agency this year, with attempts being made to secure an opportunity outside Fiji. Visa difficulties have slowed the process, and Abana said his representatives are still working on possible destinations. New Zealand and Australia are countries that interest him, while he also revealed that there have been efforts to find a pathway into European football, potentially beginning through an academy environment.

For the moment, Abana sees continuing to play regularly in Fiji as an important way of keeping himself fit while waiting for those possibilities to develop. If an overseas move cannot be completed immediately, the new OFC Pro League is another option that strongly interests him. The competition is set to introduce a new professional pathway within Oceania, and Abana believes it could represent an important step towards his larger ambitions.

“My plan is also to join the Pro League next year. I hope I can play in the Pro League next season,” he said. The forward confirmed that he has not yet been approached by one of the participating clubs, but he clearly sees the competition as a potential bridge between his current situation in Fiji and his objective of eventually playing professionally further abroad.

His ambitions are not restricted to club football. Abana also spoke openly about his desire to receive an opportunity with the Solomon Islands senior national team. He has previously been involved in senior national-team training camps, including during the World Cup qualifying period, but has yet to make an official appearance at senior international level. His competitive international experience has instead come through the Solomon Islands youth setup, including matches against Australia at U-19 level.

Asked directly whether he believes he deserves an opportunity with the senior side, Abana had little hesitation: “Of course.” With Solomon Islands preparing for another international period and players already being brought into training in Honiara, the forward admitted that he is unsure why his chance has not yet arrived.

“I don’t know why the Solomon Islands national team hasn’t given me a chance yet. But I’m still waiting. When they give me a chance, then they can see the difference,” he told OFCe.

For a young striker already playing regularly outside his home country and producing goals in the Fijian top flight, the absence of a senior cap has clearly become an additional source of motivation. Abana believes he still needs to improve aspects of his game to convince the national-team selectors, but at the same time feels that an opportunity would allow him to demonstrate what he can offer at international level.

His experience in Fiji has also given him an interesting perspective on the differences between football development there and in Solomon Islands. Abana praised the footballing ability found in his home country but believes Fiji currently provides young players with more structured development opportunities at club level.

“Solomon Islands plays good football, but in Fiji they develop the players,” Abana said. He pointed particularly to club academy structures, mentioning Labasa as an example, and believes young footballers in Fiji can improve considerably after spending time inside those organised environments.

The observation is particularly relevant considering the number of Solomon Islands players who continue to move to Fiji in search of regular senior football. Solomon Islands remains a country rich in technical talent, while Fiji offers a different environment where established competitions, club structures and academy systems can provide players with another route for development.

Abana now finds himself at an important point in that pathway. He has already experienced football with Labasa and Nadi, has reached nine league goals this season and is receiving interest from other clubs, while simultaneously trying to build opportunities further abroad. Whether his next destination is another Fijian team, the OFC Pro League, New Zealand, Australia or eventually Europe remains unresolved, but his priorities are increasingly clear: find an environment that allows him to continue improving, move closer to professional football and finally earn the senior Solomon Islands opportunity he believes he is ready for.

Major setback for Luke Brooke-Smith as serious ankle injury threatens first Portsmouth season

Luke Brooke-Smith’s promising start to life in English football has been brought to an abrupt halt after the New Zealand international suffered a severe ankle injury in training with Portsmouth, with the extent of the damage raising fears that his first season in the Championship could already be over.

The 18-year-old sustained a severe dislocation of his ankle during Tuesday’s training session, with subsequent examinations also revealing a fracture to his fibula and significant ligament damage. Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho confirmed the seriousness of the injury and said Brooke-Smith will require surgery once the affected area has had time to settle.

“It’s a really unfortunate one. He’s suffered a severe ankle dislocation during training. Off the back of that, there is a fracture on his fibula and significant ligament damage,” Mousinho said.

The young winger was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital following the incident and was discharged later that night. Portsmouth are not yet putting a definitive recovery timeframe on Brooke-Smith’s absence, with a clearer prognosis expected after surgery, although Mousinho acknowledged concerns that the injury could potentially be a season-ending one.

It is a particularly cruel setback considering how quickly Brooke-Smith had begun to establish himself at Portsmouth. Signed from Wellington Phoenix at the end of July, the teenager arrived in England primarily as one of the club’s longer-term prospects but immediately showed enough to be involved with Mousinho’s first team. Rather than being sent out on loan or restricted to development football, he was given opportunities almost immediately and had already made four competitive appearances for Pompey.

Brooke-Smith started against former Premier League side West Ham United in the EFL Cup and was then handed another start in Portsmouth’s Championship opener against Queens Park Rangers at Fratton Park. He subsequently appeared from the bench against Lincoln City and Derby County, accumulating valuable senior minutes in one of the most demanding leagues in European football only weeks after leaving New Zealand.

That rapid progression made his opening weeks in England particularly encouraging. When Portsmouth signed him, Mousinho described the New Zealander as a “quick, direct and aggressive winger” capable of operating on either side of the pitch. Despite his age and the considerable adjustment from the A-League to English football, Brooke-Smith had already worked his way into genuine first-team consideration.

The move to Portsmouth represented another major step in a career that has developed at remarkable speed. Brooke-Smith became Wellington Phoenix’s youngest-ever first-team player after making his professional debut at just 16 and later became the club’s youngest goalscorer when he found the net against Auckland FC. He accumulated more than 30 appearances for the Phoenix before Portsmouth moved to bring him to England on a four-year contract.

His development has also made him one of the most closely followed players of New Zealand’s emerging generation. Brooke-Smith represented the country at youth level, played at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and has already broken into the senior All Whites setup. His rise is even more striking considering his sporting background: before establishing himself in football, he was an eight-time national age-group BMX champion.

The injury now places that rapid upward trajectory on hold at precisely the moment Brooke-Smith appeared to be making another breakthrough. For Portsmouth, it means losing a young attacking option who had progressed into the senior side far sooner than might have been expected when he arrived from Wellington.

For Brooke-Smith, the immediate priority will instead be surgery and the beginning of what could be a lengthy rehabilitation process. No definitive return date has yet been established, making it premature to declare his 2026/27 campaign over, but the combination of the ankle dislocation, fibula fracture and ligament damage makes clear the scale of the challenge facing the New Zealand youngster.

Only a matter of weeks ago, Brooke-Smith was taking his first steps in European football and earning Championship minutes at 18. His first Portsmouth season may now have been dramatically interrupted, but the club will hope one of New Zealand football’s brightest young prospects can make a full recovery from the most serious setback of his career so far.