Kapuls duo ruled out, coach confident of home matches

PNG Kapuls veteran goalkeeper Ronald Warisan (right) will miss the Oceania World Cup qualifier game after picking up an injury during the Men's Premier League finals playoff (Image: PNGFA)

Papua New Guinea Kapuls has named its 25-men squad ahead of hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers in Port Moresby this week.

Head coach Felipe Vega-Arango said the team had been training hard with a few changes made to the squad list.

“We’ve made a few changes to the list with a few players ruled out for injuries while some have returned home to attend to their family situations,” he said.

Following their 3-1 loss against New Caledonia in Fiji last month, Arango said they are primed to perform well on home soil against Melanesian brothers Fiji and Solomon Islands.

“We need to win the first home game to secure our chances, or we will be eliminated. Our focus is set on the match against Fiji because we need to win it,” Vega-Arango said.

“The focus is to play hard, to run, to fight for every ball, every challenge, to win every match-up and to win because these teams also have the dynamics.”

Meanwhile, the Kapuls coach confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Ronald Warisan and fellow footballer Yagi Yasasa have been ruled out for injuries following their stint in the Premier Soccer League [PSL] finals.

Kapuls will also miss the services of their most capped footballer Emmanuel Simon who departed for Lae earlier this week for personal reasons.

“We hope our injured players recover as we still have the Melanesian Cup afterwards, however our main focus remains in this Qualifiers,” Coach Arango added.

The Kapuls are expected to take on Fiji on Nov 14 [Thursday] and the Solomon Islands on Nov 17 [Sunday] at the PNG Football Stadium.

PNG Kapuls 25-Men squad: Goalkeepers; Dave Tomara Hekari United FC [HUFC], Christianus Biasu [HUFC], Charlie Lepani [Port Moresby Strikers FC [Pom Strikers]

Defenders; Alwin Komolong [Brisbane Lions FC], Joshua Talau [Pom Strikers], Kolu Kepo [HUFC], Langarap Samol [Lae City FC], Derek Kimai [United Highlands FC [UHFC], Gabriel Yanum [Lae City], Daniel Joe [HUFC], Arol Tataeng [HUFC].

Midfielders; Shane Sakael [Admiralty Islands FC], Ritzoki Tamgol [HUFC], Chappy Upaiga [UHFC], Solomon Rani [HUFC], Judah Asar [UHFC], Joseph Joe [HUFC], Ethan Mom [Perth NPL], Oberth Simon [Pom Strikers], Nathaniel Eddie [HUFC], Ati Kepo [HUFC], Rex Naime [HUFC]

Strikers; Tommy Semmy [Werribee City FC], Logan Biwa [UHFC], Raymond Gunemba [Lae City Dwellers FC]