RENNELL and Bellona Province has named their final soccer squad for the upcoming Solomon Cup set to be staged in Honiara next month.
Oris Pongi Ma’ungatu’u and his team management named Avaiki Chiefs final squad yesterday following almost a month of intensive training and friendly matches held in Honiara.
Avaiki Chiefs consists of two goal keepers, eight defenders, seven central midfielders, seven forward players and four officials as well as four non traveling players.
Avaiki Team Manager Mark Victor Tekobi said the team was dominated by rugby players, with about four of them national rugby 7’s players.
“Avaiki Chiefs is dominated by rugby players in Honiara but when they come home they played soccer,’’ he said.
He added Avaiki Chiefs was pooled in a tough pool but stressed it’s not an issue for them.
“We are drawn into a tough pool, but we are not coming to this competition to participate, we are here to compete,’’ Tekobi said.
“To our fellow provinces, Avaiki is not coming to this competition to give away points,’’ he warned.
“As Team Manager, I did not see any big threat in this competition since all the teams are made up of provincial players and without Honiara-based players,’’ he said.
Avaiki Chiefs was also boosted with a 2-1 victory over Team Honiara in their friendly match two weeks ago.
They are eying more friendly matches before the Solomon Cup will kicks off next month.
Pool B comprised of Malaita Eagles, Makira, Choiseul, Guadalcanal and Renbel while Pool A includes the host city Honiara together with Western Turtle, Isabel Frigates, Temotu Arrow and Central Seals.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
