Seaqaqa make history with first-ever promotion to Fiji’s Premier League

Seaqaqa have achieved one of the biggest milestones in the district’s football history, securing promotion to Fiji’s Extra Premier League for the first time after defeating Tavua 7-6 on penalties at Govind Park in Ba.

The dramatic Extra Senior League play-off finished 2-2 after regulation time, with Seaqaqa recovering from a difficult first half before holding their nerve in the decisive shootout.

Tavua appeared to be moving towards maintaining their place among Fiji’s top teams after goals from Marika Rawasoi and Ratu Dau gave them control of the contest. Seaqaqa, however, produced the response that had eluded the club in several previous attempts to reach the Premier League.

Captain Lisala Bonatoba led the comeback before Mohammed Ishrat also found the net, bringing Seaqaqa level and forcing the promotion contest to penalties. The northern side eventually prevailed 7-6, triggering celebrations after decades of trying to break through from Fiji’s second tier.

The achievement carries particular significance for a club that has been competing since 1981. Seaqaqa have reached play-offs, Senior Division IDC finals and other decisive stages over the years without managing to complete the final step into Fiji’s top division.

Coach Mohammed Imran described the success as an achievement for the entire Seaqaqa community rather than simply the team. He also highlighted the refusal of his players to surrender after falling behind against Tavua.

“We have been trying since 1990 and we have finally done it. These boys have worked very hard and this success did not come easily,” Imran said following the victory.

The result brings a new district into Fiji’s highest domestic level and gives northern football another representative alongside established Premier League side Labasa. For Seaqaqa, the challenge will now change completely: from finally getting into the top flight to preparing a squad capable of remaining there.

Whatever comes next, September 13, 2026 will remain a historic date for the district. After years of coming close, Seaqaqa are finally a Premier League football team.

All Whites name first post-World Cup squad for four-match Asian programme

New Zealand have announced their first All Whites squad since the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Darren Bazeley selecting 23 players for matches against Palestine, China PR and Panama before a final Kirin Cup fixture against either Japan or Ecuador.

Sixteen members of New Zealand’s World Cup squad return, including captain Chris Wood and World Cup goalscorers Eli Just and Finn Surman. Bazeley has nevertheless used the first international window of the new cycle to open the door to a number of new and returning players.

The most notable newcomer is Stipe Ukich. The 19-year-old attacker, who has previously represented New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 level, earns his first senior call-up following his performances for NK Istra 1961 in Croatia’s top division.

George Stanger and Henry Gray are also uncapped, while Owen Parker-Price, Sam Sutton, Dane Ingham and Dalton Wilkins return to the international picture. The selection gives Bazeley an opportunity to retain the core that competed at the World Cup while beginning to assess players who could become increasingly important during the next cycle.

New Zealand will first meet Palestine at Tongliang Long Stadium in Chongqing on September 24 before facing China PR at Longxing Football Stadium four days later. The team then travels to Japan for the Kirin Cup, opening against Panama in Yokohama on October 1. Their final match on October 5 will be against either hosts Japan or Ecuador in Tokyo, depending on the first round of results.

The programme gives the All Whites four different international tests in a short period immediately after their World Cup campaign. Bazeley has stressed that winning remains the objective, but the tour also represents an opportunity to continue developing the team rather than treating the World Cup as the end of a cycle.

New Zealand will then return home in November for two matches against India, in Auckland and Christchurch.

Goalkeepers: Henry Gray (Wellington Phoenix, loan), Alex Paulsen (Motherwell, loan), Michael Woud (Auckland FC).

Defenders: Tyler Bindon (Charlton Athletic, loan), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Dane Ingham (Sabah), Ben Old (Saint-Étienne), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), George Stanger (Kilmarnock), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Sam Sutton (Perth Glory), Dalton Wilkins (Sønderjyske).

Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss (Auckland FC), Owen Parker-Price (Örgryte), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Marko Stamenić (Swansea City).

Forwards: Eli Just (Swansea City), Callum McCowatt (AGF), Jesse Randall (Dundee United), Logan Rogerson (Auckland FC), Stipe Ukich (NK Istra 1961), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest).

Solomon Islands name 20-man squad for MSG Prime Minister’s Cup as Cahn begins first competitive test

Solomon Islands have officially named their 20-man squad for the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji, with head coach Ben Cahn combining experienced internationals, Solomon Kings regulars, domestic standouts and emerging players as the Bonitos prepare for the first competitive tournament of his tenure.

The tournament will be Cahn’s first official competition since taking permanent charge of the senior national team. He previously led Solomon Islands on an interim basis during the FIFA Series friendlies in Indonesia earlier this year, but the MSG Cup now represents the first competitive step of a much broader project aimed at building towards the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking to the Island Sun before the final squad was announced, Cahn made clear that the long-term vision does not reduce the immediate expectations in Fiji.

“We go to the MSG Cup and the aim is to win. This competition is our first step towards our national team project and it is something we take seriously,” he said.

Captain Phillip Mango is among the experienced names selected, alongside established internationals such as Javin Wae, Gordon Iro, David Supa, Atkin Kaua, Raphael Lea’i, Bobby Leslie, Don Keana and Fordney Junior.

The influence of Solomon Kings FC is significant, but several players also remain strongly connected to their domestic or current clubs outside the professional setup. Junior David, Javin Wae, Raphael Lea’i, Fordney Junior and Bobby Leslie are all Solomon Kings players who also represent Central Coast FC domestically, while others return from clubs across the S-League and Fiji.

That dual context is important in understanding the squad. Solomon Kings has become an important professional platform for many of Solomon Islands’ leading players, but the country’s domestic clubs continue to provide the foundation from which much of the national-team talent emerges.

David Supa arrives from Ba FC in Fiji, while Don Keana is with Rewa FC and William Komasi represents Navua FC. Gordon Iro, Rooney Riuqaemai and Ali Mekawir are all connected to Green Shield FC, while Atkin Kaua and Calvin Ohasio are with Malaita Kingz. Michael Laulae is with Galaxy FC.

Rovu Boyers provides another different pathway. The midfielder represented South Island United in the inaugural OFC Pro League before joining Christchurch United on loan, giving him recent exposure to the New Zealand domestic game.

The squad also reflects Cahn’s intention to broaden the national-team pool rather than relying solely on established names.

Danford Fiumae remains part of the senior setup after earning his first opportunities earlier this year, while Jayroll Patty steps directly into the senior group after captaining Solomon Islands at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa.

Patty was one of Solomon Islands’ standout performers at the youth tournament and scored a hat-trick against New Caledonia. His inclusion provides another example of the pathway Cahn is trying to create between youth football, domestic football, Solomon Kings and the senior national team.

Before announcing the final group, Cahn and his staff assessed almost 40 players in an extended camp.

“The first purpose was to have a big training camp. We had nearly 40 players, so we could have a look and try to bring the level up,” Cahn told the Island Sun.

For the final 20, however, immediate readiness was decisive.

“For the final squad, we go to the MSG Cup, the aim is to win, so we have to take the players that are most ready at the moment,” he said.

Cahn also confirmed that several new players had impressed during preparations and stressed that places in the national team will not be guaranteed by reputation.

“We’re watching. No one gets the shirt because of a name, they have to earn that,” he told the Island Sun.

That competition for places is expected to become even stronger. Cahn wants to develop a pool of around 50 to 60 players capable of representing Solomon Islands over the next three to four years, drawing from the S-League, overseas football, futsal and the country’s national age-group teams.

The immediate focus, however, remains the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.

Solomon Islands will begin their campaign against hosts Fiji at HFC Bank Stadium on September 18. Defending champions Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia complete the five-team competition, which runs until October 3 in Suva.

For Cahn, the tournament is the first competitive checkpoint on the road towards 2030. For the Bonitos themselves, the objective is much closer: win the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.

Solomon Islands squad — club affiliations

Goalkeepers: Phillip Mango (Solomon Kings FC), Michael Laulae (Galaxy FC), Junior Petua (Solomon Kings FC).

Defenders: Junior David (Solomon Kings FC/Central Coast FC), Javin Wae (Solomon Kings FC/Central Coast FC), Gordon Iro (Solomon Kings FC/Green Shield FC), Clivert Sam, Calvin Ohasio (Malaita Kingz), David Supa (Ba FC).

Midfielders: William Komasi (Navua FC), Atkin Kaua (Solomon Kings FC/Malaita Kingz), Danford Fiumae, Rovu Boyers (South Island United/Christchurch United), Don Keana (Solomon Kings FC/Rewa FC).

Forwards: Raphael Lea’i (Solomon Kings FC/Central Coast FC), Fordney Junior (Solomon Kings FC/Central Coast FC), Bobby Leslie (Solomon Kings FC/Central Coast FC), Jayroll Patty (Solomon Kings FC), Rooney Riuqaemai (Green Shield FC), Ali Mekawir (Green Shield FC).

Two records, one name: questions over Vilitati Kautoga’s BOG registration await Fiji FA clarification

Questions have emerged over the registration of Ba striker Vilitati Kautoga during the 2026 Battle of the Giants after publicly shared material appeared to show two separate player records carrying the same name but different identification numbers, dates of birth and photographs.

The existence of two records does not, by itself, establish that Ba fielded an ineligible player or deliberately registered the wrong footballer. It does, however, create a discrepancy significant enough to warrant clarification from Fiji FA, particularly after Kautoga featured in a tournament eventually won by Ba.

Kautoga was directly involved in Ba’s 2-1 semi-final victory over Suva on September 12. He won possession in the move that led to Etonia Dogalau opening the scoring, before Nabil Begg doubled Ba’s advantage. Malakai Lavecaka later pulled one back for Suva, but Ba held on and subsequently defeated Rewa 2-1 in the final to lift the Battle of the Giants title.

The registration questions were publicly raised by Fiji football follower Nilesh Lal, who shared screenshots that he said showed a mismatch between the player registered for the tournament and the player who actually represented Ba.

One of the screenshots appears to show a Fiji football registration profile for a player named Vilitati Kautoga, with player ID 1799805, FIFA ID 13CJS01 and a date of birth of 22 February 1995. The photograph attached to that record depicts one individual, while the match history visible in the screenshot appears to associate the profile with Ba’s 2026 Battle of the Giants fixtures.

A second screenshot shows another Vilitati Kautoga, this time under player ID 1029687, FIFA ID 12RXCK3 and a date of birth of 20 September 1997. The photograph attached to that profile is visibly different, and the record is associated with Ba’s Premier League activity.

Public football records support the existence of the latter profile. Ba’s Kautoga is identified elsewhere with the September 20, 1997 date of birth, while Fiji FA’s historical match records also show a Vilitati Kautoga representing Tavua before later appearing for Ba. He was listed in Tavua squads several years ago, including during the 2018 Battle of the Giants, and was still playing for Tavua during the first part of the 2025 Premier League season before moving to Ba.

Fiji FA’s public 2025 Premier League statistics add another detail that makes clarification necessary. The goalscorer list contains both “Vilitati Kautoga (Tavua FC)” and “Vilitati KAUTOGA (Ba FC)” as separate entries. That could simply reflect his transfer between the two clubs or the way the competition database handles registrations after a move. It should not be interpreted as evidence that there were two different players involved.

The more serious allegation concerns the Battle of the Giants registration itself.

Lal alleged that Ba registered the player represented by ID 1799805 for the tournament but fielded the footballer represented by ID 1029687. He said the information had been obtained from Suva FA officials. Oceania Football Center has not independently established that allegation as fact.

There is, however, material suggesting that a protest process may have been initiated. A Bank of Baroda transaction receipt circulated publicly records a $300 payment on September 12, with the narration “Protest fee suva v ba semi 26.” Lal later stated that a protest had been filed and the required fee paid.

The receipt supports the claim that a payment labelled as a protest fee was made. It does not, on its own, establish whether Fiji FA formally received the protest, whether it was accepted under the competition regulations, whether an investigation was opened or whether a ruling was subsequently issued.

At the time of publication, OFCe could not locate a public Fiji FA decision or explanation addressing the two Kautoga records.

Fiji football has recent precedent for player-eligibility protests affecting competition results. In September 2025, Fiji FA upheld Nadi’s protest after Navua fielded a suspended player in an Extra Premier League fixture. Nadi were awarded a 3-0 victory and three points, while the matter was also referred for an integrity investigation.

That precedent demonstrates that eligibility issues can have sporting consequences when a breach is established. It does not, however, determine the Kautoga matter. The Battle of the Giants is a separate competition and any decision would depend on the applicable regulations, the registration documentation and the identity of the player who actually took the field.

There are several possible explanations for the material now circulating.

The discrepancy could result from an administrative or database error in which the correct player was attached to an incorrect profile. It could involve duplicate records created for the same intended footballer. But if one player was formally registered for the tournament and a different individual then participated under that identity, the matter would be considerably more serious.

The screenshots alone cannot establish which explanation is correct.

The central questions for Fiji FA are therefore relatively simple: which Vilitati Kautoga profile and player ID were submitted on Ba’s official Battle of the Giants registration? Which identity appeared on the official match documentation? Was the player who took the field the player registered and eligible to participate? Why does the Battle of the Giants record appear different from the profile associated with Kautoga’s Premier League appearances? And, if Suva submitted a formal protest, what decision was reached?

Those questions can be asked without declaring Ba guilty of wrongdoing.

An official clarification would serve all parties involved. Suva are entitled to know whether any formal protest was considered under the competition regulations. Ba, having won the tournament on the field, have an interest in removing doubt surrounding their title if the discrepancy is simply administrative. Kautoga himself also deserves clarity rather than having questions over his identity and registration remain unresolved in public discussion.

Until the relevant registration documents and any Fiji FA determination are made clear, the responsible conclusion is not that Ba fielded an ineligible player.

It is that two materially different records bearing the same name now exist in the public discussion, and Fiji FA is the body best placed to explain why.

Fiji name 20-man squad for home MSG Prime Minister’s Cup as Auvray blends experience and youth

Fiji have named a 20-man Bula Boys squad for the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, with head coach Stéphane Auvray combining established internationals with several younger players as the national team begins a new cycle on home soil.

Captain and all-time leading goalscorer Roy Krishna provides the biggest name in the squad, while experienced internationals such as Tevita Waranaivalu, Gabiriele Matanisiga, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Sterling Vasconcellos and Scott Wara add experience around a group containing several players still establishing themselves at senior international level.

One of the most interesting aspects of the selection is the immediate progression of players involved in Fiji’s OFC U-19 Men’s Championship campaign in Samoa. Ryan Naresh, Maikah Dau and Abdullah Khairati have all been included in Auvray’s senior squad only days after representing the country at the continental youth tournament.

There are also opportunities for players performing strongly in Fiji’s domestic competitions. Ba, fresh from winning the Battle of the Giants, are well represented, while Labasa, Rewa, Navua, Lautoka, Nadi and Nasinu also contribute players. Harang and Wara bring current Australian club experience to the group.

The tournament will be Auvray’s first opportunity to lead the Bula Boys in a senior international competition on Fijian soil. OFC has also placed Fiji’s campaign within a wider rebuilding process towards the next World Cup cycle, giving the competition importance beyond the immediate pursuit of the MSG title.

Fiji remain historically the most successful nation in the old Melanesian Cup, having won five titles between 1988 and 2000, but they have not lifted the regional trophy since that final triumph 26 years ago. The revived MSG Prime Minister’s Cup therefore provides both an opportunity to end that drought and a chance for Auvray to assess the players who could form the core of the national team over the coming years.

The Bula Boys begin their campaign against Solomon Islands at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on September 18. Papua New Guinea, defending champions Vanuatu and New Caledonia complete the five-team competition, with each nation playing the others once before the top two meet in the final on October 3.

Fiji squad — club affiliations: Isikeli Sevanaia (Ba FC), Joela Biuvanua (Nadi FC), Jone Lalagavesi (Labasa FC), Isimeli Gavidi (Ba FC), Ilisoni Logaivau (Ba FC), Lekima Gonerau (Labasa FC), Scott Wara (Maitland FC, Australia), Sterling Vasconcellos (Lautoka FC), Thomas Dunn (Navua FC), Sitiveni Cavuilagi (Lautoka FC), Ryan Naresh (Ba FC), Tevita Waranaivalu (Rewa FC), Nabil Begg (Ba FC), Faazil Ali (Ba FC), Abdullah Khairati (Sabeto FC, Canada), Maikah Dau (Nasinu FC), Zacariah Harang (Wollongong Wolves, Australia), Gabiriele Matanisiga (Rewa FC), Filipe Baravilala (Navua FC), Roy Krishna (Bula FC).

Ben Cahn sets winning target for MSG Cup as Solomon Islands begin road towards 2030 World Cup

Ben Cahn will take charge of Solomon Islands in his first competitive tournament as senior national team head coach when the Bonitos begin their campaign at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji, and the Australian-English coach has made clear that the immediate target is not simply development.

Solomon Islands are travelling to Fiji to win.

Cahn first worked with the national team earlier this year as interim coach during the FIFA Series international friendlies in Indonesia, but the MSG Cup will be his first competitive assignment since formally taking charge. Speaking to the Island Sun in Honiara ahead of the tournament, the Solomon Kings FC coach placed the competition within a much wider national-team project while insisting that the short-term objective remains clear.

“We go to the MSG Cup and the aim is to win. This competition is our first step towards our national team project and it is something we take seriously. We’ve put a lot of work in over the last few months,” Cahn told the Island Sun.

The longer-term ambition is considerably bigger. Cahn openly identified qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup as the project’s ultimate goal, with Solomon Islands looking to build a deeper and more competitive national-team structure over the next four years.

“The long-term goal and the dream is World Cup 2030, so we’re very serious and working very hard towards trying to do everything we can to achieve that dream of qualification,” he said.

Cahn also pointed to the performances of smaller nations at the most recent World Cup as evidence that the gap can be challenged when the correct structures and standards are put in place.

That process has already started with a significant expansion of the national-team selection pool. Nearly 40 players were involved in the recent training programme before the group was reduced ahead of the MSG Cup.

“The first purpose was to have a big training camp. We had nearly 40 players, so we could have a look and try to bring the level up,” Cahn told the Island Sun.

For Fiji, however, Cahn has prioritised players who are ready to perform immediately.

“For the final squad, we go to the MSG Cup, the aim is to win, so we have to take the players that are most ready at the moment.”

The final group is largely made up of familiar and experienced names, but Cahn has also been impressed by several players attempting to break into the senior setup.

“A couple of new players have done really well and really impressed us. We think they can fit into the team and make the team stronger,” he said.

Two players from the Solomon Islands U-19 side are also expected to join the senior squad directly in Fiji after the country narrowly missed World Cup qualification at the recent OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa.

That pathway between age-group football and the senior team forms an important part of Cahn’s plan. He also praised the Solomon Islands U-16 side that qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar and confirmed that some of those players have already trained with the senior national team.

“We’ve had a good look at the U-16 boys who obviously did a great job to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. We’re bringing them in, they’ve done really well, it’s been very positive,” Cahn told the Island Sun.

The intention is eventually to create a much broader group of senior international candidates rather than relying on a relatively small core of established players.

“We want to build the pool of players over the next three or four years to be around 50 to 60 players ready for the national team,” he said.

That pool will not be limited to the current squad. Cahn said players in the S-League, Solomon Islands’ national age-group sides, futsal and overseas football will continue to be monitored, including those who were not involved in the latest camp.

His message to them was particularly direct.

“We’re watching. No one gets the shirt because of a name, they have to earn that.”

That principle represents an important part of the new national-team environment Cahn is trying to create. Selection is intended to be based on current level and readiness rather than reputation, with competition for places expected to increase as the player pool grows.

The MSG Prime Minister’s Cup will provide the first real test of that approach.

Cahn expects a difficult tournament, with the standard across Melanesian football continuing to rise.

“I think the standard is going to be really strong. I think it’s going to be a very tough competition. I think every team will be strong,” he told the Island Sun.

For Solomon Islands, the competition therefore serves two purposes at once. It is the first stage of a four-year project aimed at making the national team significantly more competitive by the time 2030 World Cup qualification arrives, but it is also a tournament Cahn expects his players to try to win now.

That distinction is important. The new project is not being presented as an excuse to postpone expectations.

Solomon Islands have traditionally been one of Melanesia’s strongest football nations, but translating technical quality and individual talent into consistent senior international results has remained a recurring challenge. Cahn’s task is to create a broader competitive environment in which more players are genuinely ready for international football and where places in the team are continuously earned.

His role with Solomon Kings adds another layer to that process. Working directly with the country’s professional club gives Cahn regular access to several players who could form the backbone of the senior national side, while the wider national-team camps allow him to assess talent from the S-League, overseas clubs and Solomon Islands’ increasingly successful youth programmes.

The connection between those different levels could become one of the most important elements of the 2030 project.

For now, though, the focus is Fiji.

The Solomon Islands men’s and women’s national teams are expected to travel together for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, which begins on September 17. For Cahn, it will mark the beginning of his competitive tenure with the Bonitos and the first measuring point of a project that is already looking four years ahead.

“The future looks great. I’m really happy to be on board and we’re all working together really hard to see if we can achieve the dream of the World Cup in 2030,” Cahn told the Island Sun.

The dream is 2030. The first competitive test comes now.

New Zealand defeat Tahiti to secure 10th OFC U-19 Men’s Championship title

New Zealand have once again been crowned champions of Oceania at youth level, defeating Tahiti 2-0 in the final of the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship at the Samoa Football HQ in Apia.

The Junior All Whites secured their tenth title in the competition and their fifth consecutive crown, although Monday’s final proved considerably more difficult than their first meeting with Tahiti in Samoa. New Zealand had beaten the same opponents 8-0 in the group stage only 12 days earlier, but Tahiti showed how far they had come since that opening-day setback.

Tahiti defended with much greater organisation and kept New Zealand scoreless for almost the entire first half, despite losing Bradley Ruiz to injury early in the match. The breakthrough finally arrived in stoppage time when Dejaun Naidoo delivered a dangerous ball across goal and defender Malo Dieugard, under pressure from Victor Barbosa, turned it into his own net.

New Zealand continued to create the better opportunities after the break, but goalkeeper Nihuau Firiapu kept Tahiti in contention with a number of important interventions. Oliver Grosso was twice denied as the champions searched for a second goal, while Tahiti remained dangerous enough to keep the contest alive and Keahinui Brown went close from distance.

The decisive moment came in the 79th minute. Harley Hill found the net to make it 2-0 and effectively settle the final, completing an impressive individual tournament with his fifth goal. Hill later had another effort ruled out for offside, while Firiapu saved a late penalty to prevent the scoreline from becoming wider.

For Tahiti, defeat did not diminish what had already been achieved. After recovering from their heavy group-stage loss, they eliminated Solomon Islands 2-1 in the semi-final and secured qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027. New Zealand had also booked their place at the global tournament by defeating New Caledonia in the other semi-final.

The result leaves New Zealand once again at the top of Oceania’s U-19 level, while Tahiti leave Samoa with a World Cup place and a significantly stronger performance against the champions than their first encounter suggested was possible.

Papua New Guinea name 20-man Kapuls squad for 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji

Papua New Guinea have confirmed a 20-man squad for the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji, with head coach Bob Morris combining senior internationals, OFC Pro League players and a younger generation that has emerged strongly through domestic and regional competitions this year.

The Kapuls squad includes experienced names such as Ronald Warisan, Daniel Joe, Yagi Yasasa, Ati Kepo, Oberth Simon and Tommy Semmy, while a number of younger players from Lae City, Morobe Wawens and the national youth setup have also been given their opportunity.

One of the most notable inclusions is Tommy Semmy, who is back in Papua New Guinea football with PNG Hekari after spending several years abroad. His return to the national team gives Morris an experienced attacking option alongside Ati Kepo and a group of younger forwards.

There is a significant PNG Hekari presence in the squad. Goalkeeper Dave Tomare, Daniel Joe, Solomon Rani, Oberth Simon, Ati Kepo and Semmy are all attached to the country’s professional representative in the OFC Pro League. Kepo was one of PNG Hekari’s leading attacking contributors in the inaugural season, scoring three goals and adding two assists.

Rex Naime also remains connected to PNG Hekari but is currently playing in Fiji with Labasa FC. The young attacker has already made an impression in Fijian football this season after moving to the Babasiga Lions, having previously established himself as one of Hekari’s main attacking threats in regional competition.

Lae City are also strongly represented after their recent OFC Men’s Champions League campaign. Goalkeeper Ronald Warisan, defender Langarap Samol, midfielder Abraham Allen and younger players Bomcege Basananuc, David Tita, Solomon Kamake and Nalau Moses all come from the Lae-based club.

That group reflects one of the most interesting elements of the selection. Lae City entered the OFC Champions League with one of the youngest squads in the tournament, and several of those players are now being pushed into the senior national-team environment.

Solomon Kamake and Nalau Moses were particularly impressive during the continental competition. Kamake scored in Lae City’s opening 4-1 win against Tupapa Maraerenga, while Moses was heavily involved in the attacking play and directly contributed to several of the goals.

The squad also includes three players from Morobe Wawens: goalkeeper Jordan Tobem, defender Henry Kurkur and Ferdahlas Namuesh. Ezekiel Vela represents Gulf Komara, adding another domestic pathway into Morris’ selection.

There are also two Australia-based players. Yagi Yasasa remains with Bendigo City in Victoria, where he has now completed his second season in Australian football, while Hossain Kaio is currently based in Brisbane – but yet to confirm which club Kaio is linked to.

For Yasasa, the call-up continues a national-team career that has developed alongside his move overseas. His experience in Australia gives Papua New Guinea another player accustomed to a different football environment, while Kaio adds another overseas-based option to the group.

The balance of the squad suggests the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup will serve both competitive and developmental purposes for Papua New Guinea. Senior players such as Warisan, Semmy, Kepo, Simon and Joe provide an experienced core, while Kamake, Moses, Tita, Basananuc and others are being given an opportunity to establish themselves at senior international level.

Papua New Guinea will travel to Fiji looking to challenge their Melanesian rivals while Morris continues shaping the next version of the Kapuls.

Papua New Guinea squad — 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup

Goalkeepers: Ronald Warisan (Lae City FC), Dave Tomare (PNG Hekari), Jordan Tobem (Morobe Wawens).

Defenders: Langarap Samol (Lae City FC), Ezekiel Vela (Gulf Komara), Bomcege Basananuc (Lae City FC), Henry Kurkur (Morobe Wawens), Ferdahlas Namuesh (Morobe Wawens), Daniel Joe (PNG Hekari).

Midfielders: Abraham Allen (Lae City FC), Yagi Yasasa (Bendigo City FC, Australia), Solomon Rani (PNG Hekari), Oberth Simon (PNG Hekari).

Forwards: Ati Kepo (PNG Hekari), Rex Naime (Labasa FC, Fiji / PNG Hekari), David Tita (Lae City FC), Hossain Kaio (Brisbane, Australia), Tommy Semmy (PNG Hekari), Solomon Kamake (Lae City FC), Nalau Moses (Lae City FC).

Head coach: Bob Morris.

Raymond Gunemba calls on PNGFA to stand with players as unpaid MSG allowances remain unresolved

Papua New Guinea international Raymond Gunemba has called on the PNG Football Association to stand firmly behind its players and reconsider sending a national team to the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup if outstanding payments from previous editions remain unpaid.

The experienced striker has again raised concerns over money owed to players and officials following PNG’s participation in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the regional tournament. PNG won the competition in Solomon Islands in 2024 before hosting the following edition, but Gunemba says players from those campaigns are still waiting for payments they were promised.

Speaking directly to Oceania Football Center, Gunemba clarified that he does not consider PNGFA to be the source of the payment problem itself. According to him, responsibility for releasing the money lies with those tasked with funding the national teams.

“The problem is with the people who will send the money, but PNGFA should think of the players’ welfare, stand with the players and not send the team until and unless players receive their payment,” Gunemba told OFCe.

His comments add an important distinction to the ongoing dispute. Gunemba’s criticism of PNGFA is not that the federation has personally withheld the money, but that it should use its position to defend the players rather than proceed with another MSG campaign while previous commitments remain unresolved.

Gunemba had already expressed his frustration publicly after PNG began assembling its squad for the 2026 tournament. He said players had previously been told that payments would be made before or during MSG competitions, only for those assurances not to materialise after the events had concluded.

According to Gunemba, around 24 players, alongside members of management, technical staff and officials connected with the men’s and women’s national teams, remain affected. He also claimed that some supporting staff, tournament organisers and service providers had been paid while players were still waiting.

The issue became particularly sensitive after PNGFA previously indicated that Papua New Guinea would not participate in the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup unless the outstanding matter was resolved. The federation later moved forward with preparations for the competition following assurances that the payments would be addressed.

Gunemba believes that assurance must now translate into money reaching the players before the new tournament begins.

“The main thing is about our payment. If the payment comes through before the team takes part in this year’s MSG, then it should be okay. But if not, then PNGFA shouldn’t send a team,” he told OFCe.

For Gunemba, the issue goes beyond the immediate financial dispute and concerns how national-team footballers are treated after representing Papua New Guinea.

“Player welfare and wellbeing are important, so PNGFA should fight for the players, for the good of the players in the country,” he added.

In comments reported separately this week, Gunemba also stressed that he understands the importance of the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup as an opportunity for players to represent their country and gain exposure. However, he argued that international representation should not mean accepting repeated delays in compensation.

“It is good for the players to go and play, expose their talents and represent our country, but we must be compensated,” he said.

His position therefore leaves a clear condition ahead of PNG’s 2026 MSG campaign: Gunemba is not calling for the national team to abandon the tournament regardless of circumstances. He wants the outstanding payments settled first — and believes PNGFA should be prepared to stand by the players if that does not happen.

That distinction actually makes the story stronger: this is no longer “Gunemba vs PNGFA.” It is Gunemba asking PNGFA to choose the players’ side in the dispute.

Photo: Sammie Campbell

New Caledonia go all-local for MSG Cup as financial constraints keep overseas contingent out

New Caledonia will head to the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup with a dramatically different national team, as new head coach Félix Tagawa has named an 18-man squad made up entirely of players currently based in the territory.

The Fédération Calédonienne de Football confirmed the final selection ahead of the tournament in Fiji, where Tagawa will take charge of the senior national team for the first time since succeeding Johann Sidaner. Rather than recalling the sizeable overseas contingent that formed the backbone of New Caledonia’s recent international campaigns, the new coach will work exclusively with players from the domestic game.

The decision is not, however, an indication that New Caledonia have abandoned their expatriate players. Financial limitations surrounding the trip have played a decisive role. FootNC reported during the preparation period that Tagawa had identified a wider pool of around 50 players, including roughly ten Cagous playing in metropolitan France, but the federation did not have the resources required to bring the overseas group back for the MSG tournament.

That left Tagawa working with a 35-man domestic preliminary squad before reducing it to the 18 players who will travel to Fiji.

The scale of the change becomes particularly clear when the new squad is compared with the group that represented New Caledonia in the FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-off against Jamaica in March. Of the 26 players selected for that historic trip to Mexico, only goalkeeper Mickaël Ulile and attacker Pierre Iékawé are included in the MSG Cup squad.

That means some of the most established names in Caledonian football will not be involved. Angelo Fulgini, Georges Gope-Fenepej, César Zeoula, Jekob Jeno, Pierre Bako, Didier Simane, Joseph Athale and Germain Haewegene are among those absent after forming part of the squad that came within one match of playing for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The contrast is particularly striking considering where New Caledonia stood only months ago. Sidaner’s side travelled to Guadalajara with arguably the deepest pool of overseas-based talent assembled by the country, adding former France youth international Fulgini to an experienced group that had already carried the Cagous through the OFC qualifying campaign. New Caledonia eventually lost only 1-0 to Jamaica, ending an unprecedented run as the first Melanesian nation to reach a FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-off.

Tagawa is therefore beginning his tenure under very different circumstances.

The former Hienghène Sport coach, who famously guided the club to the 2019 OFC Champions League title, was appointed in August with a long-term mandate to lead New Caledonia through the next international cycle. The federation has spoken ambitiously about maintaining the Cagous among Oceania’s leading sides and ultimately challenging for direct qualification to the 2030 World Cup.

For the MSG Cup, however, Tagawa’s immediate task will also become an examination of the depth available inside New Caledonia itself.

Several members of the new squad will receive an opportunity that would have been considerably more difficult to obtain had the federation assembled its strongest possible group from across New Caledonia, France and other overseas competitions. The tournament therefore becomes both Tagawa’s first test and an important showcase for players performing week after week in the domestic system.

New Caledonia’s 18-man squad is:

  • Goalkeepers: Jean-Gilles Hnamuko (SC Ne Drehu), Mickaël Ulile (ASC Gaïca), Jean-Pierre Welepane (AS Magenta).
  • Defenders: Gregory Diko (SC Ne Drehu), Fabrice Iopue (AS Magenta), Sipane Qaeze (ASC Gaïca), Neil Wahiobe (ASC Gaïca), Timotei Zeter (Hienghène Sport).
  • Midfielders: Brice Dahite (Hienghène Sport), Cedric Decoire (CA Saint-Louis), Jemmanuel Siwoine (AS Lössi), Kandjo Teanyouen (FC Bélep Mont-Dore), Aymard Tidjite (Hienghène Sport), Djibril Tufele (AS Lössi).
  • Forwards: Pierre Iékawé (Tiga Sport), Willy Read (Tiga Sport), Roan Thale (ASC EMO BILOUP), Stephane Wahaga (Hienghène Sport).

The 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup will be staged in Fiji from September 17 to October 3, bringing together Melanesian national teams in one of the region’s traditional international competitions.

For New Caledonia, though, the significance extends beyond the tournament itself. Only months after their World Cup dream ended by the narrowest of margins against Jamaica, almost an entirely new group will now wear the national colours.

The circumstances may have forced New Caledonia to look inward, but they also give Tagawa an early opportunity to discover how much depth exists at home. What happens in Fiji could therefore influence more than the MSG Cup: some of these 18 players will be trying to prove they deserve to remain when New Caledonia’s overseas internationals become available again.