The host nation’s female team will include a group of stars who play their club football in France and it is hoped their overseas experience will help the side make good use of home advantage.
Marilyse Lolo (Club de Condé-Noireau), Prisca Lolo (Club de Bishein), Aurélie Wahnapo (Club de Claix), Christelle Wahnawe (Club de la Croix-Blanche), Hélène Waengene (Toulouse) and Club de l’Entente Sportive Ecoyeux Vénérand pair Céline Xolawawa and Elodie Tein-Poawi are all returning to their homeland as New Caledonia looks to claim its first ever placing in the Pacific Games women’s football tournament.
Four of the France-based players arrived in the country this month and were welcomed at the Fédération Calédonienne de Football (FCF) headquarters by general secretary Olivier Dokunengo and technical director Christophe Coursimault.
The newcomers will start training with the rest of the squad this week.
National women’s coach Yvan Poungi has kept tabs on the form and fitness of his overseas players by making regular contact with them over recent months.
The squad is currently preparing for its Games campaign by training twice a week with OMS Païta, a club side coached by FCF Women’s Football Development Committee member Philippe Guezerec. A series of friendlies have also been lined up with various local teams as Poungi looks to finalise his plans for the Games.
The last chance for he and assistant coach Lucie Moyatea to make sure their charges are ready will arrive in the form of a five-day training camp, pencilled in to take place from August 8 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
France-based players in New Caledonia women’s squad
Marilyse Lolo (Club de Condé-Noireau)
Prisca Lolo (Club de Bishein)
Aurélie Wahnapo (Club de Claix)
Christelle Wahnawe (Club de la Croix-Blanche)
Hélène Waengene (Toulouse)
Céline Xolawawa (Club de l’Entente Sportive Ecoyeux Vénérand)
Elodie Tein-Poawi (Club de l’Entente Sportive Ecoyeux Vénérand)
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com