PNGFA allows women’s train-on squad time to prove fitness

THE Papua New Guinea Football Association says it will give time for the national women’s train-on squad to prove their fitness before the governing body trims the group from 80 players.
Association general secretary Pius Letenge said women were out of competition since the cancellation of the Women’s National Soccer League (WNSL) finals earlier this year.
“The decision to trim the squad for next year’s Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Nations Cup will be made by the head coach, whose identity will be announced soon,” he told The National earlier this month.
“The women have been training for the last two weeks under our local coaches while awaiting the arrival of the international coach.
“We had players training in Port Moresby and Lae as well as the smaller groups of players in Wewak and Madang.
“The coaches are following the same programme to give equal opportunity for players to prove their fitness.
“We have very good players in the team, players who have performed well in the past WNSL season.
“Unfortunately, their season didn’t end well due to the Coronavirus pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Letenge said four candidates had been shortlisted for the role of the women’s head coach.
Following endorsement from the executive committee, the association is expected to announce the appointment anytime soon.
“Once the head coach has settled in then she’ll take over the preparations with assistance from the local coaches,” Letenge said.