Solomon Islands goalkeeper Erick Wanega is proving that his abilities extend well beyond protecting the net. The Central Coast FC shot-stopper, who also represents Solomon Kings in the OFC Professional League, scored a hat-trick as an outfield player for the national beach soccer team during their emphatic 10-5 victory over New Caledonia in the opening round of the 2026 OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup.
Wanega was named Player of the Match after scoring three times at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae, Tahiti, on Saturday, 24 October. His performance provided another example of an unusual career in which a successful goalkeeper in conventional football has become one of the Solomon Islands’ most reliable goalscorers on the sand.
The Bilikiki initially found themselves behind after Jean-Pierre Ayawa opened the scoring for New Caledonia in the fourth minute. Their response was immediate, with Wanega equalising from the restart before Adrian Mara, Roy Mafane and goalkeeper Roy Funusui helped establish a 4-1 advantage by the end of the opening period.
Wanega then took centre stage in the second period, scoring twice within 60 seconds in the 14th minute to complete the tournament’s first hat-trick. The Solomon Islands continued their attacking display, extending their lead to 9-3 before Mara completed his own hat-trick during the final period.
The result gave the Bilikiki a winning start to a competition in which they are attempting to reclaim the continental title for the first time since 2013. However, Wanega’s contribution carried particular significance because of the unusual combination of roles he performs across two versions of football.
In the Solomon Islands’ domestic S-League, Wanega is known primarily for his goalkeeping performances with Central Coast FC. He was a member of the side that won the 2025 championship and received the league’s Golden Glove award, recognising his performances between the posts.
His achievements in conventional football also earned him a place with Solomon Kings in the OFC Professional League, where he continued his career as a goalkeeper during the competition’s inaugural season.
On the sand, however, the situation is entirely different. Rather than defending the goal, Wanega operates as an outfield player, using his powerful shooting and attacking instincts to create opportunities and score.
The transformation is no coincidence. Speaking to In-depth Solomons during the 2024 OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup, Wanega explained that his shooting ability had encouraged him to move away from goalkeeping when playing beach soccer.
“I decided to make the transition because I have a strong foot for shooting on goal,” he said.
Originally from Canaan Village in East Kwaio, Wanega also explained that the smaller playing area and closer goals allowed him to take advantage of his ability to shoot from distance.
His decision has produced remarkable results.
During the 2024 continental championship in Honiara, Wanega scored five goals in a single match as the Solomon Islands defeated Papua New Guinea 17-4. He also found the net against Tahiti, finishing the tournament with eight goals as the Bilikiki reached the final.
The Solomon Islanders eventually suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Tahiti in that decisive encounter, extending their wait for another regional championship.
Nevertheless, Wanega emerged from the competition as one of his country’s outstanding attacking performers, despite spending much of his club career preventing opponents from scoring.
His versatility was also recognised by Central Coast teammate and fellow goalkeeper Philip Mango, who spoke publicly in 2024 about Wanega’s longstanding ambition to represent his country in beach soccer as an outfield player.
Two years later, Wanega has returned to the international stage with the same effectiveness.
His three goals against New Caledonia take his tally across the 2024 and 2026 OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup editions to eleven, underlining his importance to a Solomon Islands side seeking to challenge Tahiti’s dominance.
The Bilikiki are coached by former international James Naka, one of Oceania’s most recognisable beach soccer figures and the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer with 34 goals.
Naka’s squad includes seven players who were involved in the 2024 final, providing a core of experience as the Solomon Islands attempt to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Their next assignment will be against hosts Tahiti, who made an equally emphatic start to the tournament with an 18-1 victory over Vanuatu.
The meeting offers the Solomon Islands an opportunity to test themselves against the team responsible for defeating them in each of the previous three continental finals.
Wanega’s ability to contribute in attack could once again prove important in that challenge.
For a player accustomed to being celebrated for clean sheets and saves in the S-League, the experience of scoring hat-tricks on the international stage represents a remarkable contrast.
Whether guarding the net for Central Coast and Solomon Kings or scoring goals for the Bilikiki, Erick Wanega has established himself as one of the Solomon Islands’ most versatile footballers.
Discover more from Oceania Football Center
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
