Dwellers sign Waroi

 By HENRY MORABANG

LAE City Dwellers have acquired the services of former versatile Hekari player Joachim Waroi to beef up their attack in the National Soccer League and the OFC Champions League campaigns this season.

The reigning champions have given the Solomon Islands international a new lease of life in PNG’s semi-professional soccer competition after Jerry Allen and his Hekari coaching team decided not to retain him.

Waroi has been a regular player in the NSL since the 2002-2003 season and has played several OFC Champions League (formerly O-League) games for Hekari.

He spent a season with Vanuatu’s Amicale before returning to Port Moresby to play with former PNG club champions, the Reds, until last year.

A utility on the field, Waroi can play striker, attacking midfield and would be an invaluable asset in the Dwellers as the last line of defence.

Coach Peter Gunemba confirmed from Lae that the former Hekari striker had joined the team from Papuan compound.

Waroi arrived on the weekend and watched his new team thrash Goroka 7-0 at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium on Saturday.

Gunemba said Waroi could be described as the best buy for his team, who would add experience to the team as they prepare for the OFC Champions League next April.

The coach said Waroi would be one of two or three experienced players from outside to join the team. 

“We are looking at Fiji, and negotiations are  underway to have someone flown in before the end of round 1.

“The Dwellers are looking beyond NSL parameters for recruitment.

“But we want to provide a good opportunity for local talent before we can look for players outside Lae City — be it in Port Moresby or overseas,” he said.

Waroi is no stranger to Lae City Dwellers as two of his former Hekari teammates  — Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba — were at the forefront of the emergence of the team. 

Gunemba and Dabinyaba had enjoyed their best years of football with Hekari before re-joining their old club, Poro – a feeder club to Lae City Dwellers.

Hekari franchise owner John Kapi Natto wished Waroi well in his new endeavour with the Dwellers.

Natto said Waroi had requested a return to Hekari but his indiscipline in the last OFC Champions League forced the club to release him.

Natto said Hekari held a high standard of discipline and would not allow people who were not prepared to work with the club.

“Waroi is a good player and Dwellers must be tough on him to ensure he delivers,” he said.