PNGFA announces 23-man squad for OFC Nations Cup

The Papua New Guinea Football Association [PNGFA] has named a 23-man team for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup to be held in Vanuatu and Fiji from June 15-30.

The PNG Kapuls squad comprising of emerging stars and experience troupers have kept the depth of the team despite omitting some regular faces.

Kapuls Head Coach Warren Moon has secured the services of sevens overseas based players from United States, Europe and Australia with six rookies set to debut in the regional meet.

Bulolo Export Tommy Semmy has been called in following PNG’s campaign in the 2023 Pacific Games alongside the Komolong Brothers duo, Felix and Alwin and Kepo siblings Ati and Kolu.

One notable inclusion is the selection of 19-year-old Lennard Atterwell who is currently playing for Portuguese Club Grupo Despotivo [GD Alcochetense] in the Liga 2 competition.

Moon has also picked up US-based Jethro Yumange, currently playing for River Lights FC, Aurora's second league competition in the state of Illinois.

Prominent players named from domestic competition include goalkeeper Ronald Warisan, Yagi Yasasa, Emmanuel Simon, Lee Navu Faunt, Arnold Tataeng, Matu Ben, Bruce Tiempo and Pala Paul amongst others.

Coach Moon will be assisted by assistant coaches, David Muta and Reginald Davani in preparation for Nations Cup.

PNG has been drawn in group B and will face Fiji in their first match on June 16 followed by Tahiti [June 1] and the final round game would be played against Samoa on June 22.

New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Zealand will battle it out in group A with top-2 teams from both pools advancing for the finals.