Toti City Invitational kicks off with 16 teams

THE Toti City Invitational kicks off today with 16 men’s football teams across four pools at the St Martin’s Oval and Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae, Morobe.
Pool matches end tomorrow before the finals on Sunday. The top-two from each pools play in the quarterfinals.
Organising committee deputy chairman Peter Gunemba said the tournament would be used as a selection trial for Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) champions Lae City.
City coach Gunemba said he would retain the bulk of the title-winning squad from 2018-2019 season.
However, he said there was a need of fresh young talent and that some players might be dropped for next season.
“The whole purpose of the tournament is to identify some unknown talent who are capable of playing in the NSL,” Gunemba said. “We have teams from associations across Morobe like Watut, Wau and Situm which is good.
“It’s a good exposure for them and an opportunity for us to select standout players. A third of our squad will be released because of disciplinary issues and poor form.”
However, Gunemba said they would still monitor the players for possible recall into the squad in the future. The tournament is sponsored by Lae Biscuit Company.