Bula FC goes local

Seventeen (17) local-based players will be considered in the 23-member Bula football club squad in next year’s OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) Pro-League competition. 

Bula FC acting chief executive officer Anushil Kumar said selection would be done by national men’s head coach Stephane Auvray, who’s first assignment would be at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Minister’s Cup competition in Papua New Guinea. 

The tournament kicks-off today. 

Kumar said of the 23 players, six foreign players are eligible- three from the Oceania region and three from outside Oceania. 

“Apart from the 23, we will be having an injury reserve list that is also required by OFC,” Kumar said. 

“In case there’s any injury during the season, from the 23, we can only replace the players from that injury list they’ve released.” 

Kumar added there has been a lot of interest sent to him and the head coach. 

The squad will be selected following the MSG Cup which finishes on November 22. 

“In the meantime, should the coach be impressed with the players, we will start offering them contracts and make the announcement as well at the same time. But at this stage, as we speak, the negotiations are going on.” 

The squad will have a month of pre-season training before the competition kicks-off in January in Auckland, New Zealand. 

The team will be based in Ba. 

Regarding the format of the competition, Kumar said it would be played in circuits. 

With the first circuit to be hosted in Auckland, games will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, and some at the North Harbour Stadium. 

He indicated Fiji will host the fifth circuit at the HFC Bank Stadium in and Govind Park, Ba. The venues of the remaining circuits will be announced soon by OFC. 

“An extended squad will be called, and then the coach will be obviously selecting it from that extended list,” Kumar said. 

“We also having Fijian players with Fiji passport living overseas, they will also be considered, and at the same time the foreign players are also being considered. 

“Once the squad is announced, that does not mean the selection door is closed, even though it closes for the season, the opportunity will be there for other players to make a name for themselves and get a professional contract. 

“To all those players who would not be selected for the 1st season, do not be disheartened, but instead be motivated to what impress our coaching stuff and end yourself a professional contract.” 

On the move 

Meanwhile, Rewa star striker John Orobulu has signed up with Hekari United FC of Papua New Guinea for the Pro League. 

Hekari FC United head coach Marcos Alves Gusmão said Orobulu is a good player. 

“I know the areas I can work on with him to further improve his performance,” he told Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation. 

Hekari United FC chief executive officer Wira Wama said they expect Orobulu to join the team in Papua New Guinea this week. 

“Right now, Orobulu has just returned home from the IDC tournament in Fiji. He went home to visit his family, but we’re hopeful he’ll join the team next week (this week),” Wama said. 

Wama also confirmed that Orobulu’s team-mate John Alick from Vanuatu, along with a Fijian player whose name he did not disclose, are also on the club’s radar.