Simione Tamanisau has signed for the Papua New Guinea side and made his debut last weekend in the second round of the 2011 O-League, keeping a clean sheet as Hekari handed Koloale a 4-0 defeat.
The 28-year-old police officer is the first choice goalkeeper for the Fiji national side and plays his club football for Rewa. He caught the eye of Hekari coaches Tommy Mana and Jerry Allen after a string of impressive performances for the Delta Tigers during the Battle of the Giants and Inter District Championship domestic competitions this season.
His arrival in Port Moresby has forced previous incumbent Gure Gabina to the substitutes’ bench and brings the number of Fijians at the club to six. The others are Pita Bolaitoga, Tuimasi Manuca, Malakai Tiwa, Alvin Singh and Osea Vakatalesau.
The later’s appearance at the Club World Cup is in doubt though as Hekari and his Fijian club Lautoka are in dispute over the transfer.
Tamanisau will work under the tutelage of Reaz Moorad, a New Zealand Football high performance goalkeeping coach who has linked up with Hekari to prepare the squad’s glovemen for the difficult challenge the Club World Cup is likely to prove.
Rewa president Pranil Singh is proud that one of the club’s players will be performing on the world stage.
“It will not only be a big break for him but also for Rewa as he will become the first Rewa player to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup,” Singh says.
“His participation should also be a boost for the national team as he is the first choice goalkeeper.”
Rewa coach Manoj Kumar says Tamanisau’s signing with the O-League champions is just reward for an outstanding season, during which he captained the Delta Tigers to the Battle of the Giants and Inter District Championship titles.
“This will be another opportunity for him to expose his talent,” Kumar says. “He already has a lot of experience and I think he will deliver his best out there.”
The FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 takes place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 14 and Hekari are in action on the first day against hosts Al Wahda.
If they win that match they will go on to face Asian champions Seongnam in the quarter-finals, while a dream semi-final meeting with Italian giants Internazionale is also a possibility.
For more on Fijian football visit www.fijifootball.com.fj