Oceania Football Center

Malakai Rakula should have been cleared before by Fiji FA for Lautoka’s BOG campaign

The Fijian international Malakai Rakula would be one if the biggest missing stars of the next Battle of Giants to be played this weekend in Lautoka. The former Ba man was recently approached by Lautoka and his application was almost done in order to greenlight his participation in both Vodafone Premier League. But, as Rakula mentioned in interview with Oceania Football Center, the Blues could not count on his services as they faced difficulties to register the player in the tournament due his ITC (Internatinal Transfer Certificate) – but they could add him in their final list in the late stages of the registration period for the tournament.

Malakai Rakula when Ba player – *FFA Media*

According to reliable sources, Manukau United – club where supposed Rakula’s ITC belonged to, stated that they released the player three weeks ago alongside another former Manukau’s player Mohammed Alam that signed for Labasa and already feature in matchday squads, unlike Rakula.

The release of Rakula would be the solution for Lautoka to count on the player for the next Battle of Giants and Vodafone Premier League. If Malakai Rakula’s ITC was free to be granted by Lautoka – as both Lautoka and Manukau agreed in negotiations – the only issue on the player’s paperwork might be in Fiji FA.

According to sources, Manukau wanted to Rakula to continue playing in Fiji during his wait to return New Zealand due the current situation borders closed for foreigners to enter New Zealand as a measure to protect the entrance of COVID-19 back in the country. Fortunately for all parties involved, a final solution could be granted and the player will feature in the traditional tournament.

Anthony Talo to play S-League for newly raised Honiara City

The Solomon Islands football and futsal star Anthony Talo has a new club: Honiara City FC. The goalkeeper that already defended teams such as Western United, Kossa, Henderson Eels and most recently the Papua New Guinean powerhouse Hekari United is the most important signing so far for the based in Solomon Islands’ capital city.

The goalkeeper was the named Telekom S-League Best goalkeeper in the last season and will certainly add a lot of quality for the newly raised team to take part in the upcoming season of the Solomon Islands top-tier league. Honiara City acquired the ITC of Talo that was in possesion of Hekari United.

The goalkeeper – that stated months ago that did not want to play the national league this season – changed his mind most probrably due COVID-19 situation. The player said he wanted to move abroad for this season, but as it is impossible due borders restrictions he decided to take up a deal with the new club in the national league.

Solomon Islands: Benjamin Mana to play Telekom S-League for Kossa FC

One of the most promising futsal players from Solomon Islands is going to have his first experience in the major football league from his homeland: Benjamin Mana. The 18-year-old player is part of Kossa FC squad for 2020 Telekom S-League.

Benjamin was the top scorer of 2019 OFC Futsal Champions League and 2020 SIPA Futsal Champions League when he was 17. He was also named for Solomon Islands National Futsal Team’s provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Benjamin’s older brother Elis is also confirmed in Kossa FC squad for 2020 Telekom S-League. Elis Mana is 20-year-old and played for Solomon Islands U-17 National Team in 2017. He also represented his homeland in the OFC Futsal Nations Cup last year.

Eleven teams are going to fight for the national title this season, including three new franchises. It was confirmed by the local federation that the upcoming Telekom S-League kicks-off this weekend, however the schedule was not released yet.

Seven new players join Star Mountain for PNG National Soccer League

After losing Bernard Purari and Steven Inia who left the team to join FC Bougainville, the management of Star Mountain FC confirmed that six new players joined the team for the remainder of 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League season.

It was confirmed Star Mountain’s team manager Joseph Ame that George Gerega, July Elijah, Kapret Tingut, Lance Vincent, Luke Kaprangi Junior, Moses Arisib and Ryan Gerega are now part of the team and they are already cleared to play for their new team.

Moses Arisib is Star Mountain’s main arrival for the rest of the season

The biggest name of this list is surely Moses Arisib who was playing for FC Bougainville. The 31-year-old full back is ready to add more possibilities to Star Mountain’s squad with his versatility.

Currently in the eight position the National Soccer League, Star Mountain will will have a tough clash against current league leaders Vitiaz United at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby on this Saturday. You can check the schedule of all remaining league matches by clicking here.

Basil Jofari ready to guide FC Bougainville as PNG National Soccer League resumes

The 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League resumes this weekend and all ten participating teams are getting ready for the league’s resumption. It is not being different for FC Bougainville that is surely doing a very good preparation over the past few weeks.

Currently in the sixth position in the table with eleven points in ten matches, FC Bougainville added some talent to its squad by signing with forward Bernard Purari and former Star Mountain’s assistant coach Percy Mataio.

FC Bougainville’s latest match was a 5-0 win over Star Mountain with two goals scored by Basil Jofari: “The team’s preparation is being great. We have beaten Star Mountain twice and Gulf Komara once during this period but there is still room for improvement. We are working hard and doing our best as a team for league’s resumption,” said Jofari. The 26-year-old midfielder also talked about the positive impact caused by the arrival of Percy Mataio: “His arrival brings a lot of energy to the team. We are excited to work with him,” he stated.

Jofari (left) playing for FC Bougainville – *PNGFA Media*

Basil and his teammates are going to have a very difficult match this weekend against a strengthened Hekari United that will count on Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba who recently joined the team: “Dabinyaba and Gunemba are already used to Hekari United. Anyway we are focused on our preparation for the match,” pointed the midfielder.

With eight matchweeks remaining for the end of the National Soccer League’s regular season, Jofari has a clear goal in his mind which is to help his team to win matches to reach the league’s semi-finals. “I know it is not going to be easy and we have to work hard to get there. We have to take one game at a time and it starts this weekend against Hekari United,” he stated.

The clash between FC Bougainville and Hekari United is set to kick-off on Saturday at 3pm at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby. You can check the complete schedule of the remaining matches by clicking here.

Gagame Feni joins Laugu United

Solomon Islands international and former Suva attacker Gagame Feni is the new player of Laugu United in the Telekom S-League. The star player was released by his former team Galaxy in Vanuatu to join Laugu for the new season in his home nation. The player was unable to return to Vanuatu due border restrictions and decided to switch to Laugu to continue playing.

Laugu comes with a very strong squad for this season as Jared Rongosulia and Atkin Kaua just recently signed for the club for the new season in Solomon Islands top-tier league. The club will also count on players such as Allen Peter and Matson Feni.

The Telekom S-League is set to start this Saturday (08th Aug) in Honiara.

Marlon Nonone delighted to play the Battle of the Giants for the first time

Marlon Nonone is living a good moment in Fiji. The 21-year-old forward from Solomon Islands is showing his talent abroad and he is playing an important role in Nasinu’s attack in Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier of Fijian football.

Nonone joiend the Fijian club this year and he is one of the 22 players selected to represent The Giant Killers in the Battle of the Giants that kicks-off on Friday: “I am glad to be picked by the team staff to represent Nasinu in this important tournament. It is going to be my first time in the Battle of the Giants” he revealed to Oceania Football Center.

Nasinu is drawin in the Group A alongside Ba, Labasa and Rewa – a very difficult group. The young forward understands the importance of this tournament: “I am a young player and I am expecting more pressure but I will handle with it to do my best in the tournament,” he said.

SEE ALSO
Misaele Draunibaka: every match is like a final in the Battle of the Giants;
Simione Nabenu: Suva is ready for Battle of the Giants

Nonone (number 10) will play the Battle of the Giants for the first time – *Fiji FA*

The odds are not good for Nasinu in this group but The Giant Killers can not be underestimated as they have beaten Ba and Labasa in the current Vodafone Premier League season: “We will have tough challenges. All teams have good players but we need to work hard inside the pitch to fight for the win every single game,” said Nonone.

Nasinu’s debut in the tournament will be against Ba on Friday at Churchill Park. You can check the 2020 Battle of the Giants’ schedule by clicking here.

Misaele Draunibaka: every match is like a final in the Battle of the Giants

Rewa is always a strong side when it comes to Battle of the Giants as the Delta Tigers won five out of the last ten editions of the tournament. This year it is not going to be different as the team coached by Marika Rodu is currently leading the Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier of Fijian football.

Despite being on top of the league, Rewa’s players know that it is important to keep their feet on the ground: “People are saying that we are the favourites, but we are the underdogs,” said Misaele Draunibaka, one of the 22 players selected to represent the team in the tournament that kicks-off on Friday at Churchill Park.

SEE ALSO
Marlon Nonone delighted to play the Battle of the Giants for the first time;
Simione Nabenu: Suva is ready for the Battle of the Giants

Draunibaka playing for Rewa against Suva – *Fiji FA Media*

The Delta Tigers are goint to have a tough clash in the opening day as they are going to face hosts Lautoka: “It is going to be a tough match and a tough tournament. All teams are physically and mentally prepared so we can not take any game lightly, every match is like a final in the Battle of the Giants,” stated Draunibaka.

Rewa is drawn in the Group B alongside Lautoka, Nadi and Navua. You can check the tournament’s schedule by clicking here.

Simione Nabenu: Suva is ready for BOG

Currently in the third position in Vodafone Premier League, Suva is looking for glory in the Battle of the Giants (BOG) that kicks-off on Friday. The Capital City Boys will try to clinch BOG title for the first time in this century as they last won the tournament in 1995.

One of the 22 players called to represent Suva in the tournament is 20-year-old defender Simione Nabenu who recently joined the team after leaving Ba: “Suva is well prepared. We are ready for the tournament,” he revealed to Oceania Football Center.

SEE ALSO
Marlon Nonone delighted to play the Battle of the Giants for the first time
Misaele Draunibaka: every match is like a final in the Battle of the Giants

Suva is drawn in the Group A alongside current Vodafone Premier League champions Ba, current Battle of the Giants champions Labasa and Nasinu: “The clashes against Ba and Labasa will be tough ones,” said Nabenu.

The first challenge of the Capital City Boys in the tournament will be against against Labasa on Friday at Churchill Park.

Young talented Richie Kwaimamani delighted to join stars in Isabel United

One more young rising star is set to play at the highest level of football in Solomon Islands; the talented 18-year-old midfielder Richie Kwaimamani joined the strong side of FC Isabel United for the new season that is set to start this Saturday (08th Aug) in Honiara.

The former U17 Solomon Islands international talked to Oceania Football Center about his goals for the season and how important for him is to play the Telekom S-League in 2020.

“I decided to play for Isabel because I want to learn new ideas and earn experiences from different players and coaches,” said Richie when asked why he accepted Isabel’s offer. The talented player can not forget his experience in Brazil in 2019, where he represente his country at FIFA U17 World Cup: “during the time in Brazil I learned new things; that level is professional – it was my first time to play in world stage,” explained the midfielder.

Richie is clear when asked about the goals of his Isabel United for the upcoming season: “this season the boys, team officials and coaches are expected for win the leagu and qualify for OFC Champions League“. Richie has reasons to be optmistic for the new S-League – Isabel United was ambitious and signed three very important players: Michael Boso, Alick Maemae and Benjamin Totori – all stars of Solomon Islands football. “I think that I am so lucky to play with such player – but I am alrady feeling comfortable to play with them this upcoming season,” explained Kwaimamani.

The Telekom S-League will certainly be at a higher level for this season – various national team players rejoined clubs from the country; the young midfielder is aware about the quality of the league this upcoming season and expects to be battle at the top of the table: “the past seasons the champion was Solomon Warriors and Henderson Eels in second place; our aim is too work hard like a team and be among these top teams at the top of the table this season,” said the 18-year-old.

Isabel United will certainly have the quality of players such as Alick Maemae and Benjamin Totori, but the young talent of Kwaimamani will be something also to highlight in the upcoming season of the Solomon Islands national league for the team coached by the legend Gideon Omokirio.