They certainly have the personnel to do so after making several exciting additions to a squad that features plenty of trademark Solomon flair.
Wideman James Naka played a leading role as the Bonitos national team finished runners-up at the Pacific Games and his signing will have sent ripples of anticipation through Koloale’s fanatical fans, who will be looking forward to seeing Naka on one wing and his equally skilful international colleague Joses Nawo on the other.
Henry Fa’arodo, a legend in the football-mad nation, played for the Honiara-based club in the national S-League and, after turning out for Hekari in the previous O-League, will remain in the green jersey of Koloale this time.
Fellow talisman Benjamin Totori was strongly tipped to return to former side Waitakere but has decided to stay put and will form a dangerous strike force with Ezra Sale and Ian Paia. Gideon Omokirio returns to his homeland from Hekari and joins the likes of George Suri and Samson Takayama in an experienced rearguard that will again operate in front of the safe hands of Shadrack Ramoni.
The Solomon Islands have a history of close shaves in this competition — Kossa finished runners-up in 2008 and Koloale did the same a year later — and coach Peter Eke and his charges will be keen to finally emerge beyond second place and lift the trophy.
Team List
1. GK Eddie Ramo SOL
2. DF Israel Fanai SOL
3. DF Freddie Kini SOL
4. DF Cecil Buru SOL
5. DF Samson Takayama SOL
6. DF George Suri SOL
7. DF Jeffery Bule SOL
8. MF Gabriel Eke SOL
9. FW Benjamin Totori SOL
10. FW Ezra Sale SOL
11. FW Ian Paia SOL
12. DF Gideon Omokirio SOL
13. MF Lency Saeni SOL
14. MF Augustine Samani SOL
15. MF Mostyn Beui SOL
16. MF James Naka SOL
18. MF Henry Fa’arodo SOL
19. MF Joses Nawo SOL
20. GK Shadrack Ramoni SOL
21. GK David Lafai SOL
22. FW Benjamin Baeoro SOL
23. MF Steven Anisi SOL
24. MF Willy Daudau SOL
25. DF Francis Lafai SOL
26. MF Molis Gagame Jnr SOL
28. FW Tinoni Ratu SOL
29. MF Abraham Eke Jnr SOL
30. DF Leonard Olea SOL
Coach
Peter EKE
Key
players
Benjamin Totori, James
Naka, Henry Fa’arodo, Joses Nawo
Youngster
to watch
Ian Paia
O-League
Campaigns
Two (2009 and 2011)
Previous
O-League Finish
Second in Group A (2011)
Best
O-League Finish
Runners-up (2009)
Home
Ground
Lawson Tama, Honiara, SI
Colours
Green/Yellow – Home
White/Green – Away
Line up for Saturday's match
1. Eddie RAMO [GK], 2. Isreal KOTE FANAI, 3. Freddie KINI, 4. Cecil BURU, 5. Samson TAKAYAMA, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Ezra SALE, 11. Ian PAIA, 13. Lency SAENI, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 16. James NAKA, 18. Henry FA’ARODO, 19. Joses NAWO, 23. Steven ANISI, 24. Willy DAUDAU, 25. Francis LAFAI, 26. Molis GAGAME, 20. Shadrack RAMONI [GK]
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