Hekari FC intact, stay focused

O-LEAGUE champions Hekari United FC have been training well for the last two months after their short break in July.
Hekari FC franchise owner John Kapi Natto yesterday confirmed that the side, including their international players, were preparing for the start of the 2010-11 National Soccer League challenge starting in Oct 9 and the O-League match later in the year.
He said the boys would be playing two more friendly matches with New Zealand teams before the start of NSL season.
Former Oceania Football Confederation competition manager Seamus Marteen was appointed as team administrator for Hekari United FC for the duration of FIFA Club World Cup challenge in Abu Dhabi on Dec 9-19.
Kapi Natto admitted there were a couple of hiccups in acquiring international transfer certificates for Fiji players Malakai Tiwa and Tuimasi Manuca of Ba Football Club.
“We released the boys to return and play for their club on good faith but on returning, the BFC did not want them released until they completed the season. It will affect Hekari’s preparations,” he said.
Kapi Natto also confirmed that Alick Maemae was dissatisfied for some unknown reason and walked off their camp.
“The club has respected his decision after he walked out of the club,” he said.
However, Kapi Natto noted that Maemae would miss a golden opportunity of showcasing his talent at highest level of the world football arena by not being part of Hekari FC.
He said Maemae had teamed up with his renegade compatriot Stanley Waita with Vanutu champions, Amical FC who are also preparing for the 2010-11 O-League season.
He said the club had buried the hatchet with the two Solomon Island players but have acquired the services of Fiji national striker Osea Vakatalesau and midfielder Tiwa.
Both players are impact players and the club was banking on them to deliver the goods during the O-League campaign this season.
Kapi Natto said the whole team was happy with the latest changes and ready to take on the visitors during the O-League and the soccer forces in the World Club Cup challenge.
He added Hekari had raised their concern with the OFC to negotiate with Fiji Football and BFC to release the international transfer certificates for the Manuca and Tiwa.