Vitiaz backing roster despite NSL window

KUMUL Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) ladder leaders Vitiaz United are backing their roster for the remainder of the season despite the upcoming transfer window.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the NSL board will open a third transfer window from July 25-31 to allow clubs to bolster their rosters.
But the NSL rookies said they would stick with the five players they had recruited during the March transfer window prior to the competition’s suspension over the pandemic.
“We brought in Mathew David, Peter Dabinyaba Jr (Lae City), Donovan Murray (Gulf Komara), Jonathan Allen (Bougainville) and Andrew Baniau Jr (free agent),” Vitiaz manager Rogena Strach said.
“Our players have not been affected and have remained loyal to the club so we have no interest in recruiting new players.
“We filled in the gaps where we needed to and we are happy to take the same team into the second round of matches.
“The transfer window is sanctioned by Fifa and the NSL, so it’s still within the rules of the game and we don’t have any issues with it.”