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.