Reds recruit to boost bid

 By HENRY MORABANG

PAPUA New Guinea soccer champions Hekari United is eyeing four overseas players to boost its Oceania Champions League campaign in April in Fiji.

Hekari chairman John Kapi Natto said he was hoping to replicate their 2010 form where the club, with the help of top Solomon Islands and Fiji players, won the O-League and qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The club is hoping to secure Solomon Islands star James Naka along with two defenders from Honiara and a midfielder from Vanuatu’s Amicale.

Kapi Natto said the negotiations were going well and he expected the players to join the club during the transfer window period next month. 

“Basically, these foreign players will only be with us for the short term for the Champions League,” Kapi Natto said.

The club is looking north as well to neighbouring Indonesia’s Papua provincial side, Persipura Jayapura. 

“We have engaged an agent to discuss with Persipura to get one player on loan for the OFC tournament,” he said. 

Kapi Natto said he was not undermining the capabilities of local players but needed experienced players at the higher level.  Hekari’s local players, David Muta, Koriak Upaiga, Daniel Joe, Eric Komeng and Kema Jack have been the most consistent, having played for the Reds at the regional level since 2008.

Kapi Natto said if things went well, Hekari would play friendly matches in March to prepare the team.

The club has lined up four international friendlies against Persipura Jayapura, Western United FC of Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands Under-23s and is working on confirming a match against the Solomon Islands national side.

Hekari is pooled with Tafea (Vanuatu), Wellington (NZ) and Tefana (Tahiti).