Vanuatu football is mourning the passing of former Tafea FC striker and youth international Nicol Tari, who has died at the age of 31. His death has prompted emotional tributes from former teammates, friends and members of the country’s football community, including former Vanuatu national team coach Moise Poida, who worked closely with Tari during an important period of his career.
Born on 29 November 1994, Tari emerged through the Vanuatu Football Academy and established himself as part of a talented generation of footballers who represented the country at youth level before making their mark in domestic competitions. His development brought him into the Tafea FC squad at a time when the Port Vila club was rebuilding its position among Vanuatu’s leading sides. Alongside players such as Seloni Iaruel, Bong Kalo and Lucien Hinge, Tari formed part of a group that helped Tafea return to prominence under Poida’s guidance.
One of the most significant moments of his international career came during the 2013 OFC U-20 Championship in Fiji, where he represented Vanuatu under Poida. On 29 March, in the team’s final tournament appearance against New Caledonia at Govind Park in Ba, Tari entered the match in the 63rd minute, replacing Dalong Damalip. Ten minutes later, he scored Vanuatu’s fourth goal, restoring a three-goal advantage after New Caledonia had attempted to fight back. Captain Jean Kaltack had already scored a hat-trick, and Tari’s contribution helped secure a 4-2 victory as Vanuatu finished third in the competition.
His achievements at club level were equally meaningful. In 2013, Tari was part of the Tafea side that won the Vanuatu National Super League, overcoming Amicale 1-0 in the final and securing qualification for the following season’s OFC Champions League. Earlier in that campaign, Tari had also scored in a victory over Erakor Golden Star, with Tafea progressing through the competition under Poida’s management.
Perhaps his most memorable domestic achievement came in January 2014, when he scored the winning goal in the Port Vila Shield final. After netting the only goal against Erakor Golden Star in the semi-finals, Tari repeated the feat against Amicale in the decisive match at Port Vila Stadium on 25 January. His goal in the 45th minute secured another 1-0 victory and delivered the trophy to Tafea. Scoring the decisive goals in successive knockout matches remains one of the clearest examples of his importance to the club during those years.
Tari also experienced continental competition with Tafea, being included in the club’s squad for the 2014 OFC Champions League in Fiji. He remained involved in the following year’s edition, starting against New Zealand side Team Wellington on 17 April 2015. The encounter ended in a narrow 3-2 defeat for the Vanuatu representatives, with Tari featuring in the starting eleven before being replaced by Robert Tasso in the closing stages. His appearances in Oceania’s premier club competition added another chapter to a career that had already included international football and domestic silverware.
Following the news of his passing, Moise Poida shared a particularly emotional tribute on Facebook, remembering a player with whom he had worked at both youth international and club level. Writing in Bislama, Poida expressed his disbelief at losing Tari so early, asking why he had been in such a hurry to leave while the people close to him were still here.
“You have broken our hearts,” Poida wrote in a message addressed to Tari, referring to the sorrow felt by his brothers, friends, former academy colleagues, Tafea FC teammates and, especially, his family.
The former coach concluded by describing Tari as his brother and expressing his belief that Tafea supporters and players would always remember him. His words carried particular significance given their shared history, stretching from Vanuatu’s youth national team to the domestic and continental competitions in which Tafea represented the country.
Other members of the Vanuatu football community have also expressed their shock and sadness, with messages of condolence reflecting the personal connections Tari maintained beyond his achievements on the pitch. His passing has brought renewed attention to a generation of academy graduates who helped shape Vanuatu football during the 2010s.
For Tafea supporters, Tari will be remembered for his contribution during an important period in the club’s history, especially the decisive goals he scored against Erakor Golden Star and Amicale in the 2014 Port Vila Shield. For Vanuatu football, his goal against New Caledonia in the 2013 OFC U-20 Championship remains part of the country’s international record.
Nicol Tari leaves behind memories of domestic success, continental appearances and the opportunity to represent his country. The tributes from those who knew him also reflect the friendships and bonds formed throughout his football career.
Oceania Football Center extends its condolences to his family, friends, former teammates and everyone at Tafea FC.
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