EPA squads named for Southern meet

EASTERN Papua Association (EPA) men’s coach Taku Niebo says his two teams are not there to make up the numbers at next week’s Southern Besta Cup.
The Papua New Guinea Football Association-sanctioned tournament will be held at the Bisini Soccer Oval from Aug 28-31.
A former Cosmos star in the Port Moresby Soccer Association competition, Niebo said his teams were made up of a mixture of experience and new players.
The teams’ selection was endorsed by EPA president Joyce Grant and secretary George Bukoya.
Niebo said the players were picked from clubs that competed at the Eastern Papua Carnival last year.
Niebo said he was confident that his two sides would provide good opposition for other teams.
EPA will go up against hosts Koupa, Port Moresby Soccer Association, National Capital District Public Servants Soccer Association and other associates members from Rigo.
The winners advance to the Besta Cup finals in Lae later this year.
Bukoya said the teams would give their best shot during the tournament.
Local organising committing chairman and Koupa Soccer Association president Morea Vavine said the deadline for registration was yesterday.
Vavine said 21 teams — 15 men’s and six women’s sides — were set for the tournament.
“We welcome Popondetta Urban for fielding a team each for their men and women. Old dogs PMSA, Koupa and NCDPSSA are expected to field two men’s teams and a women’s side,” he said.
Mamose and the New Guinea Islands have completed their tournament with the winners already announced while those for Southern and Highlands will be revealed at the end of the month.
The Besta FA Cup is an annual event where member associations and associate members pick their best team to battle it out for the ultimate prize.
EPA One: Charlie Lepani (goalkeeper), Maru Rolu, Lojen Topolemu, Sammy Campbell, Auva Isowa, Patrick Sidetuma, Nathan Tags, Aifa Aifarapo, Kalafi Mesake (defenders), Philemon Bukoya, Steven Inia Godfrey Dobbin, Ronny Dobbin, Jesse Niebo, Bida Kanioisi, Werona Touriboma (midfielders), Raka Allan, Ismael Isom, Philip Towovoda, Reggie Togubai (forwards); Reserves – Nelson Iru, Ute Rolu.
EPA Two: Amo-Mark Romah (goalkeeper), Moi Sumai, Alu Dogale, Frank Ririan, Waki Komet, Wesley Alipio, Duncan Paulisbo, Bartholomew Kurena, Titus Mokagai (defenders), Vincent Dobin, Stiener Haro, Barnes Mwadeda, Oliver Vagi, Francis Ugwyoba, Paul Moyabona, Eddia Vaila, Vaila Henry, Dawa Moses (midfielders), Mljohan Mwawesi, Enoch Abraham (forwards); Reserves – Garry Wailasi, Billy Jason.
Teams: Men – PMSA One, PMSA Two, Koupa One, Koupa Two, NCDPSSA One, NCDPSSA Two, EPA One, EPA Two, Rigo Coast One, Rigo Coast Two, Rigo Inland One, Rigo Inland Two, Rigo Central, Popondetta Urban, Beagle Bay; Women – PMSA, NCDPSSA, Koupa, EPA, Popondetta Urban, Rigo Central.