John Alick goes from Ba’s domestic treble straight into Vanuatu’s MSG title defence

Vanuatu international John Alick has linked up with the national team camp in Fiji after completing a hugely successful domestic campaign with Ba FC, adding another experienced figure to Richard Iwai’s squad ahead of the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.

Alick arrives with considerable momentum. The 35-year-old midfielder joined Ba during the mid-season transfer window after spending the opening part of 2026 with PNG Hekari in the inaugural OFC Pro League, and his move proved to be part of a remarkable revival for the Men in Black. Ba went on to capture the Fiji FACT, Extra Premier League and Battle of the Giants, completing a domestic treble before turning their attention towards the Inter-District Championship.

The Vanuatu midfielder made his impact almost immediately after arriving in Fiji. In his first Fiji FACT match for Ba, Alick opened the scoring against Nadroga with a spectacular long-range strike as the Men in Black recorded a 4-1 victory. Ba eventually went all the way in the competition, defeating Navua on penalties in the final to end a 16-year wait for the Fiji FACT trophy.

The success continued in the league. Ba secured their first national championship since 2019 and a record-extending 22nd league title before completing the treble last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Rewa in the Battle of the Giants final at Govind Park. It was Ba’s 18th BOG crown and their first since 2018.

Alick expressed his satisfaction after the latest achievement, telling Fiji media: “I’m really very proud. Ba FC have been treating me well. I’m proud to be part of the team; we have won our third title this season.”

There is little time for the midfielder to celebrate, however. With the BOG completed on Sunday, Alick has now moved into the Vanuatu national-team environment as the defending champions prepare for another campaign against Melanesia’s leading national sides.

His presence is particularly important in a considerably reshaped Vanuatu squad. Coach Richard Iwai will be without several established names, including Alex Saniel, Brian Kaltak, Jason Thomas and Michel Coulon, leaving Alick alongside Azariah Soromon, Kathy Iamak, Kaloran Firiam and Tony Kaltack as some of the most experienced players available to the new national-team coach.

Vanuatu begin their campaign against Papua New Guinea on Friday, September 18 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, immediately recreating the 2025 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final. Vanuatu won that encounter on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw to claim their first title in the competition in 25 years. Richard Iwai’s side will then face Fiji, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, with the top two nations advancing to the final on October 3.

For Alick, the tournament represents the continuation of an unusually busy and successful year across the Pacific. After representing Hekari in Oceania’s first professional league, he crossed to Fiji and helped Ba restore themselves to the top of the domestic game. He now enters another challenge carrying the responsibility of helping Vanuatu defend the regional crown they captured twelve months ago.