Guadalcanal have received another boost ahead of the 2026 Solomon Cup, with Solomon Islands international midfielder Marlon Tahioa joining the provincial team’s preparations on Tuesday, November 3. The 27-year-old brings considerable experience from Fiji football and the OFC Champions League, adding further quality to a squad that already features John Orobulu and Paul Francis.
Tahioa is the fourth guest player to join Guadalcanal’s preparations, completing a group that also includes Orobulu, Francis and Lent Abua. His arrival strengthens the midfield options available to head coach Franco Ne’e as the team prepares for the provincial competition, scheduled to begin on November 22 in Honiara.
Currently representing Central Coast FC in the SIFF Super League, Tahioa is among the most internationally experienced players in the Guadalcanal squad. He previously spent several seasons in Fiji, representing Suva, Nasinu and Labasa while studying at the University of the South Pacific.
His performances in Fiji eventually took him to the continental stage, where he became an important member of the Suva side that reached the 2023 OFC Champions League final in Vanuatu.
Tahioa scored three goals during that campaign, including the dramatic equaliser against Auckland City in the final at Freshwater Stadium. His strike brought Suva level at 2-2 late in the second half, forcing extra time before the New Zealand champions eventually secured a 4-2 victory.
After returning to Solomon Islands, Tahioa continued his career with Central Coast, representing the club in domestic and regional competitions. He also contributed to the team’s 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League campaign, scoring during the group stage as the Honiara-based club progressed to the final.
At international level, Tahioa has represented Solomon Islands in several competitions, including the 2023 Pacific Games and 2024 OFC Nations Cup. He also captained the national team during a friendly against Papua New Guinea in December 2024.
His experience could be particularly valuable alongside Paul Francis, another footballer familiar with the demands of Fiji’s domestic competitions. Francis represented Nasinu during the 2026 season before returning to Solomon Islands, where he captained Eastern Frigates to victory in the Guadalcanal Football Championship.
According to the Guadalcanal Manivos team management, the combination of Tahioa and Francis is expected to provide creativity and stability in midfield, supporting an attacking department that includes Orobulu, Terrison Weni and Junior Ovita.
Orobulu’s presence has already attracted considerable attention following his successful season with Ba FC, where he helped the Men in Black complete a domestic quadruple. His return to Solomon Islands provides Guadalcanal with a proven goalscorer who has experienced success in major Fijian competitions over the past two years.
The inclusion of several established players reflects Guadalcanal’s ambitions after finishing third in the 2025 Solomon Cup.
Tahioa’s connection with the provincial team also extends beyond football. According to team management, his wife comes from South Guadalcanal, strengthening his personal ties to the province.
The 26-man squad is expected to enter its official training camp on November 15, with preparations continuing ahead of a challenging group stage.
Guadalcanal have been drawn alongside defending champions Makira-Ulawa, Honiara Warriors, Western Tomoko and Isabel Frigates in Group A.
With experienced internationals joining established provincial players, Guadalcanal are assembling a squad capable of challenging for a place in the knockout stages and potentially improving on last year’s third-place finish.
For Tahioa, the tournament represents another opportunity to compete for silverware on home soil after establishing himself in both Fiji and Solomon Islands football.
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