Oceania Football Center

Fiji: Christophe Gamel applies for Bula Boys’ head coach spot

The former Fiji national team head coach Christophe Gamel wishes to return to the head coach position of the Bula Boys – that’s what the Frenchman told Oceania Football Center in an exclusive interview. “I wish to comeback to Fiji to get back the modern soccer type of play as it wasn’t like this since I left“, said Gamel.

Recently, Oceania Football Center stated that local fans on social media asked for the return of the former Paris Saint-Germian employee to the national team after the resignation of the Danish coach Flemming Serritslev.

“Many fans called me and claimed it but I received also calls and messages from Fiji executives, coaches to come back and develop, share my vision and methodology there“, mentioned Gamel confirming the intention of many football related people in Fiji to his return to the country.

“I also want to help the U-20 side of Fiji as they had been trashed badly in their recent three matches heading for the World Cup“, said the Frenchman regarding the poor performances of Fiji U-20 side in an invitational tournament in Indonesia where the Junior Bula Boys were preparing for the U-20 World Cup to be this year.

Gamel urged all Fijian community to unite and work towards the development of the game in the country: “The point is to work as unit hand in hand, not putting blames – that’s my spirit” added the former Fijian national team coach that also coached in Algeria and Malaysia top-leagues recently.

Fiji Football Association announced that Rewa’s coach Marika Rodu is going to be in charge of the national team in the upcoming international friendly matches this March in Lautoka. The entity still did not decide who is going to be new national team head coach, that is why Rodu had been chosen to prepare the squad for now while Fiji FA makes its final call on the next boss of the Bula Boys – and Christophe Gamel is certainly one of the best profiles in contention for the vacancy.

New Zealand rising star Jesse Randall moves to United States

Charleston Battery, a professional football club that competes in the USL Championship in United States, has announced the signing of Jesse Randall, a promising young winger from New Zealand. The 20-year-old had previously played for Wellington Olympic, where he impressed with his speed and skills on the ball.

Randall is considered to be one of the rising talents of New Zealand football and has already made a name for himself in age-group international football. He was part of the New Zealand U-17 team that participated in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Brazil.

The signing of Randall is seen as a positive move by Charleston Battery, as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. His pace and technical ability make him a dangerous attacking threat, and he will be expected to provide goals and assists for the team. You can watch a clip of the best moments of Randall’s last season by clicking here.

Randall’s experience playing in New Zealand’s National League, where he helped Wellington Olympic reach the runners-up position last season, will also be a valuable asset for Charleston Battery.

The move to the United States will provide a new challenge for Jesse Randall, as he looks to establish himself in a new environment and adapt to a different style of play. Randall recently undergo trials in England as reported by New Zealand media, but he ended up taking the opportunity to represent Battery.

PNG Football Association: Percy Mataio appointed as new Technical Director

The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) has announced the appointment of Percy Mataio as their new Technical Director. He takes over the role previously held by Paul Isorua, who had resigned from the position earlier after big public criticism.

Percy Mataio is a well-known figure in the Papua New Guinea football scene, having worked with various clubs across the country. He has had stints with Star Moutain, FC Bougainville, and the powerhouse Hekari United. He has also coached the Papua New Guinea U-23 side, where he gained valuable experience in managing young talent.

Mataio’s appointment has been welcomed by the football community in Papua New Guinea, with many hoping that he will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the role. He is known for his passion for the sport and his ability to develop young players, which is seen as a key requirement for the Technical Director position.

As Technical Director, Mataio will be responsible for overseeing the development of football in Papua New Guinea, including coaching programs, talent identification, and player pathways. He will also work closely with the PNGFA board to set the strategic direction for football in the country.

The appointment of Mataio to the role can be seen as a good choice by the PNGFA; a talented coach in the country with the proper badges to revamp the football in Papua New Guinea – strucuting a new league and fixing the problems from the past.

Solomon Warriors find a new hero on Harrison Mala

The new national champions of Solomon Islands celebrated nor only the Telekom S-League title; the Solomon Warriors confirmed their berth at the next OFC Champions League group stage after a hard-fought win over Kossa this Tuesday (28th Feb) at the Solomon Islands’ national play-offs and celebrated their return to the regional tournament.

Warriors needed to bounce back in the decisive match as they conceded first to Kossa; but in the second half a new hero emerged for the national champions to score the winner for his side: Harrison Mala. The 28-year-old striker always worked hard throught the match and took his chance to put the ball in the back of the net to get his team one more time at the OFC Champions League. “After I scored my goal. First thing comes into my mind was God so I just look up and thank him“, said Mala on interview to Oceania Football Center.

Harrison Mala celebrates to the skies – *Theodore Inomae*

“The game was crucial for us, but the boys stay focused and together achieved what we wanted: OFC Champions League” added Mala. As mentioned earlier in the year by his teammate Dennis Ifunaoa, the major goal for Warriors this season was to qualify for the O-League once again.

As football is not a full-professional activity in the South Pacific, Mala’s situation on football is not different than most of the football players throughtout Oceania: Harrison Mala is a part-time striker. The Solomon Warriors’ new hero shares his time between football and making modern haircuts; Mala has a barbershop in Honiara and definitely is very well-known as a barber as he is as football player: “as barber I am very happy to involve in sports to keep my body fit and make people feel clean and fresh when they get their fresh haircut in my shop” said the 28-year-old.

But definitely it is important to state the favourite quote from our new football idol: “I learn all about life with the ball at my feet” says the player – emphasizing his passion for the game and how it impacts his life.

Mala, a former Kossa player himself, is ready to merge somehow his two occupations in the football pitch: “Next time I score I will do that“, said the striker with a laugh, when asked if he intends to celebrate a goal mimicking a barber with some of his teammates.

The strong striker has an interesting story to give a real input what football is like in Oceania at the moment; certainly professionalization needs to arrive for the better of the local football, but the current reality can be a true expression of how football is pure and important for the local people around South Pacific. Mala, of course, will strive for the best in the next OFC Champions League campaign of his Solomon Warriors as they expect to impress in the upcoming tournament to be held this May in Vanuatu.

Paperwork issues still preventing Raphael Lea’i from making his professional debut in Europe

Since Raphael Lea’i signed his first professional contract a lot of excitement had arisen in the Oceania football community – but the Solomon Islander is still to make his full-professional debut as the new player of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s side Velež Mostar. Since Leai’s arrival from Henderson Eels, the Mostar-based side had played three competitive matches in 2023: two for Bosnian Cup and one for the national league.

Recently, Solomon Islands Football Federation announced all the paperwork from Solomon Islands was already in the possesion of the European club. Although it is confirmed all the documentation issued from SIFF is there, the 19-year-old striker still did not manage to feature in none of three games of the club so far. The reason is that Raphael is not fully cleared to play yet as local procedures are being held by Velež staff: “Unfortunately this is a classic proceeding in our country for foreign players, it is taking time a bit, but soon he will be able to play official matches“, said a Velež Mostar representative.

When asked about what sort of process it was necessary to be taken, FK Velež Mostar’s staff member Adnan Dizdarević explained: “First, they need to translate into our language the school diploma and the certificate of impunity that we were waiting for from the Solomon Islands, then a residence permit (visa) is requested, after which they need to go to Belgrade (Serbia) to our embassy to get a B1 visa, after that they need to get a work permit, and everything in the meantime needs to go through the Federation and UEFA to get a clean sheet from the SI Federation“, said Dizdarević – “the club has received all the necessary documents (from Solomon Islands) and is now following the procedure“, he added.

It is expected the proceedings get completed in the following days; Velež will be playing two games in a four-day span starting this Saturday (04th Mar). There are reasonable possibilities the Solomon Islander can be introduced in the squad – if not this Saturday but in the next week’s encounter against local archrivals Zrinjski Mostar on 8th March.

Velež started very well the year; the club won all their three official matches and is still concede a goal. The club is very close to qualify for the Bosnian Cup semifinals as this Wednesday (01st Mar) they won Sloga Doboj by 3-0 in the first leg of one of the quarterfinals. The club is currently ranked 5th in the national league, the M:tel Premijer Liga.

Fiji: Rewa’s Marika Rodu to coach Bula Boys in upcoming international friendlies

Important news for the Fijian football fans were announced today (02nd Mar) by the Fijian Football Association: the well-known head coach Marika Rodu was selected as the head coach of the Fiji national team for the upcoming FIFA window this month – the Bula Boys will be playing a four-team tournament against Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and also the Fiji U-20 side that is preparing for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. “In view of the upcoming Tri-nations FIFA International Friendlies, the Fiji Football Association would like to announce that Marika Rodu has been appointed to prepare the Digicel Fiji National Men’s team. The process of identifying a new national coach is incomplete“, said the Fiji FA in a media statement.

Rodu has plenty of experience at local football in Fiji; he coached the Fiji women’s national team and guided them to the final of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup back in 2018. Rodu also is the current national champions of Fiji after winning the Digicel Fiji Premier League last season with the Delta Tigers. As reported, while a new national team head coach is not chosen by the Fiji FA, Rodu will be in charge of the Bula Boys.

The Fiji FA also announced OFC’s Robert Sherman will step up to assist Rodu: “OFC High Performance expert with a wealth of knowledge, Robert Sherman, will be coming in to assist Rodu“, added the FA – “During the Tri-nations series, Sherman will also oversee the preparation of the Digicel Fiji National U-20 team who is preparing for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Sherman will later present an independent report to the Fiji FA Board as far as the Digicel Junior Bula Boys’ world cup preparation is concerned. We will be guided by his report on what action, if any, needs to be taken going forward” mentioned the entity in the media statement, stating their preocupations on the Junior Bula Boys as well.

Brian Kaltak: “I will get back stronger”

One of the most important players of the Central Coast Mariners will be sidelined for a few games; the defender Brian Kaltak will not be donning the colours of the Gosford-side in the next two matches. The 29-year-old player saw his third red of the A-League season, and as per confirmed by his club, the player got minimal suspension – which means, according to the A-League regulations, two-match ban.

Unfortunately for the former Auckland City man, he is the only played to be sent-off three times so far in the 2022/23 of the men’s A-League. But the player has the full support from his supporters; the “Brick Wall of Gosford” has been doing great in the pitch despite the red cards – that, for sure, where at least very questionable. “Honestly I do not know why I was sent off“, said Kaltak to Oceania Football Center after his last match against Wellington Phoenix.

“I got the ball first, it slided over the ball then I touched his (David Ball’s) shin“, said the Vanuatu international. After the match, even Central Coast Mariners’ legend Matt Simon that Brian’s foul was “clearly not a red” and urged the VAR to interfere in such situations. This was the second questionable red Kaltak got in very little space of time – he was also sent off against Sydney FC in a very controversial manner.

Kaltak, that in his first full professional season in Australia, will definitely need to adapt to the referee’s criteria in his new league. The calls have been criticised by the fans, but the men in the middle don’t seem to be changing their understanding of the game: “I will keep going, I will have to be better next time and I will come back stronger” said Brian Kaltak.

It’s all about experience – the Vanuatu international is a journeyman throught the South Pacific having played in Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea previously before moving to a more challenging New Zealand league. As said by Kaltak, he is going to come back stronger as he is taking one step at a time vying his return to competitive football – better than ever before.

Micah Lea’alafa: “I continue to work hard and perform well”

Recently, Oceania Football Center confirmed the signing of Solomon Islands national team captain Micah Lea’alafa moved to National Premier League – South Australia’s side FK Beograd. The striker is one of the most important signings of the season for the club, as stated by team head coach Joshua Smith in interview.

Oceania Football Center talked to Lea’alafa about his new challenges in Australia; the player made his debut in Adelaide last weekend in a 2-1 win. Lea’alafa had a very sucessful stint in New Zealand’s top-tier Auckland City and became pro when signed by South Africa’s Maritzburg United: “With my age now, things get harder but the more I continue to work hard and perform well, anything can happen!“, said the 31-year-old player when asked about his possibilities to return to full-professional game anytime soon.

Micah Lea’alafa in his new team kit – *Joshua Smith*

The Solomon Islands duo-international – that also took part in the four editions of the FIFA Futsal World Cup representing his country – had a very good stint last season for Wynnum Wolves what certainly was crucial for FK Beograd’s staff to bring Micah on board: “hopefully this new experience at Beograd can help pave the way for more to come“, said Lea’alafa expecting his new move can attract more interest from overseas clubs to sign South Pacific’s talent.

“It’s all about who you know and who has the heart to help the young talented kids in the Solomon Islands. There is still a long way for Solomons to reach that level“, said a hopeful Micah Lea’alafa om the future of football in his country.

The former Auckland City man is for sure a very important signing for the whole league and can turn into a key figure for his new team. Not only for Beograd’s hopes, Lea’alafa has still a long way to go – to represent his country and to inspire a new generation of footballers, the ones he pave the way.

Fiji FA announces new women’s national team head coach

The search is over; the Fiji Football Association announced today their new head coach for the Kulas – as the women’s national team of Fiji is known. The former Singapore international Angeline Chua has been chosen as the next boss of the women’s football in Fiji.

It was expected an announcement soon from the FA as a lot of rumours were around the choice: “She will be guiding all age groups, national women’s teams, and also the national team to the South Pacific Games“, said Fiji FA’s president Rajesh Patel in a social media release.

Chua has experience of coaching back her country in age group teams and national team; this will be second experience of the 34-year-old coach in front of a national team. His previous experience was in Seychelles where she achieved impressive records. “She revitalised women’s football in Seychelles, putting together a team that was able to be competitive in the matches played since she took over. Under her leadership, Seychelles had its first competitive win last year since 2015, by defeating the Maldives in February 2022“, said Fiji FA Media.

Certainly, the biggest challenge of Chua in the year will be guiding Fiji into a competitive campaign at the upcoming Pacific Games to be hosted at the end of the year in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

PNG Football Association technical director steps down amid U-17 national team blunder allegations

Two nations did not take part in the most recent OFC U-17 Championship played in Fiji; Solomon Islands were penalised after fielding an overaged played in the previous edition of the tournament and did not take part of the tournament and Papua New Guinea, somehow, missed the window to send its own players’ selection to Oceania Football Confederation – losing so the opportunity to take part of the tournament. The competition that ended up this February giving New Zealand and New Caledonia two spots to the U-17 World Cup to be played still this year in Peru.

According multiple sources, the Technical Director of PNG Football Association, Paul Isorua, was the responsible for the unimaginable mistake – he stepped down from his position recently. Isorua, that worked alongside PNGFA’s president John Kappi-Nato for a reasonable period resigned his spot after massive pressure faced after the Papua New Guinea’s age group team did not have a chance to travel Fiji to participate in the competition.

Alongside Isorua, the now former General Secretary of the entity Pius Letenge also resigned – thus, Letenge alleged medical conditions to leave the position. It’s understood the governing body already decided who will replace Isorua; PNGFA is set to have a conferece this week in Madang.

Not only local fans gave voice to their frustration; even well-known members of the football community expressed insatisfaction with the amateur mistake: “It therefore saddens me to see the PNG flag not flying at the tournament. An opportunity that will be sorely missed by our budding youth in the country. The tournament also provides a metric to measure ourselves in the region and also provides some incentive for future players.In saying so, I cant emphasize enough that there must be some drastic intervention or inquiry into what went wrong and how we can make sure that such a tournament if not any tournament is not missed again“, said Papua New Guinea national team captain, Alwin Komolong about the case in a social media statement.

Papua New Guinea relies on its FA – as every country does – to develop its football. Oceania is a place where the local federations must do a big part of the role through the development of the game as the vast majority of the clubs are not full-professional. It is always important to give emphasis that the organisation within the governing body must be transparent and with know-how in the respective areas.