A new look national club championship kicks off in the Solomon Islands next week with big guns Koloale, Kossa, Uncles and Makuru among the favourites hoping to take out the title.
The winner of the 2009 Our Telekom National Club Championship, which starts on Monday 25 May, will secure a spot at Oceania Football Confederation’s premier club competition the 2010 O-League.
Anticipation is building ahead of the competition as provincial pride goes on the line and fans get set to cheer for their local heroes.
Newcomers to this year’s competition include Gosa, from the Western Province, who defeated Kokohale in their qualifying competition while Malu United from Malaita replace Landowner’s Place.
This will be the first taste of national competition for both Gosa and Malu United so they will be hungry to prove they can challenge the big names.
Meanwhile Fasi Roos – arguably one of the best provincial teams in 2008 – will return to the club competition and should put together a strong showing.
Koloale are defending champions after they edged out Makuru to qualify for the 2009 O-League where they lost to Auckland City FC in the final.
Makuru, Uncles and Kossa are expected to be the most likely to challenge Koloale for national supremacy.
The draw for the 2009 Our Telekom National Club Championship will be made tomorrow.
Story courtesy of Solomon Islands Football Federation