80 players vying for 24 spots in Lae City squad

By LARRY ANDREW
EIGHTY players have been slotted into four teams to participate in Lae City trials as the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) reigning champions step up preparations for the upcoming season.
The teams — Toti Blue, Toti Yellow, Toti Green and Toti Red — are made up of NSL players.
City coach Peter Gunemba told The National that the purpose of staging the trials was to give an opportunity to players from across Morobe to push for spots in the squad.
“We are giving them this opportunity to show their abilities and from there, we will select a squad,” he said.
“We staged the Toti Cup two weeks ago and have now come up with 80 players pooled into four teams. From these trials, we will come up with 24 players to be part of Lae City.”
Gunemba said there was an abundance of raw talent on display and City couldn’t accommodate everyone.
“An example of raw talent is Obert Bika who is from the village competition making it to the national scene,” he said.
“John Seske, also a village product, is making an impact with City.
“So there are talent from Watut, Wau, Finschhafen, and Situm.
“For the regular players, their spots are not safe.
“They have to play in the trials to earn their spots. We’ve been doing it for the past two to three years and players are getting complacent.
“So we are having these trials to challenge the players to continue improving and win their positions.
“If they don’t earn their spot, others will fill in as there are limited spaces in the squad.”