The Spaniard Felipe Vega-Arango announced his final call-up for the upcoming friendly matches of Solomon Islands national team; the Bonitos will be participating at the Tri-Nations to be played in Lautoka, Fiji, against the hosts and Vanuatu national team.
The biggest misses of the squad are the young star Raphael Lea’i that is focused on his development in his new club in Europe and the experienced Micah Lea’alafa that just moved to Australian’s National Premier League. Although, five overseas-based players were called up by Vega-Arango: Ian Kalu, that recently moved to New Zealand, and UAE’s based striker and former Waneagu United striker Ali Mekawir; added to the foreign-based players’ list there are Suva’s Marlon Tahioa and Rewa’s duo Alvin Hou and Atkin Kaua – all based in Fiji, where the matches will take place. You can see the complete list by clicking here.
Some well-known Solomon Islands’ based players were called-up, such as the experienced goalkeeper Phillip Mango and Telekom S-League top-scorer Gagame Feni. Common names to the national team squad were also mentioned such as Joses Nawo, Leon Kofana, Ian Kalu, Adrian Mara and Javin Wae.
New names are also seen in the squad as Vega-Arango, that will be assisted by head former national team player Stanley Waita and Kossa’s head coach Eddie Marahare, looks to prepare new players for the future: Central Coast’s Alick Stanton is included as well as Laugu’s goalkeeper James Do’oro; Laugu has also Dickson Magi in the call up. Kossa’s Innocent Sinahanua that impressed in the last edition of the Telekom S-League also receives a chance by the Spanish head coach.
The Tri-Nations friendly is set to start on 20th March and will have its last matches on 26th March – all games will take place at Churchill Park, in Lautoka.
Oceania Football Center 