City on recruitment drive to build depth

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
RECRUITING talent for any club is always a challenge from a selector’s, or coach’s, point of view.
For three-time National Soccer League (NSL) champions Toti City FC, the recruiting process is underway as they look to build on last season’s successes.
City coach Peter Gunemba has identified numerous talent from the Besta Football Association Cup, which was held in Lae last month, and from clubs in the Morobe Football Association.
During the Besta Cup, Gunemba identified players from Kimbe, Port Moresby, Madang and Goroka who will undergo screening for an upcoming trial in Lae.
Their plan is to select a 25-man squad from the trial which scheduled to be held prior to the start of the season.
“Our scouts have identified a lot of talent from the Besta Cup and also from the Morobe Football Association,” Gunemba said.
“We will have to trial them before they secure a spot in the team.
“To be honest, there are so many talent out there but we can only get enough.
“I am sure other NSL teams are doing the same. It’s always a challenge.”
Meanwhile, several City players have returned to Lae ahead of the NSL season and the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League next year.
“Some of our senior players like Raymond Gunemba, Nigel Dabinyaba and Obert Bika have already returned to Lae,” Gunemba said.
“They are playing with Lae Biscuit Poro in the Morobe Football Association ahead of the NSL season.
“Raymond returned from Australia while Obert returned from Port Moresby after a short stint with PS Ruts and they all can’t wait for the season to start.
“Midfielder Emmanuel Simon is still playing in the Solomon Islands and will return before the season starts.
“We also intend to get some boys from Besta United FC like Emmanuel Simongi and a couple others too, they have really shown us that they’re our future in football.”
City will be representing the country once again next year in the Champions League for the third time alongside competition rookies FC Morobe Wawens, who finishing second in the NSL last season.
According to the Papua New Guinea Football Association calendar, the 2018-2019 NSL season is scheduled to start next month.