PORT VILA – Vanuatu international goalkeeper Chikau Mansale will begin a football adventure in Australia after the 25-year-old signed for Queensland State League club Logan United.
Mansale – twice voted OFC Beach Soccer Goalkeeper of the Tournament – and recent star for the senior international side in both its OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers against New Zealand leaves hometown club Tupuji Imere behind after establishing himself as the first choice gloveman as an age group international.
Last Monday, Logan United signed Mansale as their first player to compete in the new Queensland State League (QSL).
The 25-year-old has played nine international games and said he can’t wait for the season to begin.
“It’s different and exciting,” Chikau said.
“Back home I’m at the peak of where I can be with Tupuji, but now playing in the QSL, gives me lots of new challenges and goals.”
Chikau was in Australia for the Christmas break to see his mate Angus McIlrath.
Angus, the manager of the Mt Warren Lanes ten pin bowling facility, got an idea to help Chikau’s desire to play in Australia earlier this year.
“Chikau was staying with us and I read the article about Logan United’s entry into the new state league,” Angus said.
“I knew Chikau wanted to play in Australia so we phoned the chairman Mel Swindells straight away. He said they were keen to have a chat and arranged a meeting for a week’s time.
“Just before I hung up, I quickly told him to google Chikau so he could get some background on him. “In less than five minutes Mel had called me back and said we better meet up in the next couple hours to talk about signing Chikau,” he said.
Chikau is described as one of Vanuatu’s best players.
Playing for his club Tupuji Imere as goalkeeper, Chikau admits he has trouble walking around the village without someone asking for a signature.
Since he was six, Chikau and his four brothers would go down to the local parks to play football. Sitting in the dining area of the Mt Warren Lanes, Chikau remembers the days when he dreamed about playing overseas.
“International jets would regularly fly over the small field where we use to play each day ,” he said.
“Everytime they flew over my brothers and I would stop. We’d think one day we will be on that jet going away to play soccer.
Fortunately I now have that chance.”
Currently the only player in the league to have any international experience, Chikau is sure to generate plenty of interest by the time the season kicks off on March 30.
Chikau knows that with popularity comes criticism, but he’s confident that he can help lead United to a successful year. “I know everyone will be watching me, but I want to win,” Chikau said.
“I have a lot of goals for myself, but put simply I need to keep the ball out of the net and that’s my job.
“I want to be a leader, but I will have to learn to adjust to the different-style of game before I can start telling my team mates what to do.”
Following him throughout his career, Angus is confident Chikau will have a big future.
“At the age of 25, Chikau is still learning and I believe he’s at the prime of his career,” Angus said.
“One of the reason’s why he decided to play in the QSL, is because he wants to one day play for the Queensland Roar in the A-League.”