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.