The squad features six players from the Magenta club – New Caledonia’s representatives in the last O-League campaign – and two from Mont Dore, who will replace Magenta in this season’s edition of the Pacific’s premier club competition.
Gaïtcha are also well represented with five members while Thio Sport and Lössi have two each.
But a key feature of the Cagous squad is the inclusion of four players based overseas – France trio Dominique Wacalie, Joël Wakanumune and César Lolohea, as well as Iamel Kabeu and Vincent Taua, who are based in Tahiti and Italy respectively.
Coursimault, who is also the technical director at the Fédération Calédonienne de Football, says his task of selecting the final squad was a difficult one and required him to keep his emotions out of the process.
“It is the responsibility of any coach to make tough choices,” he says. “You cannot afford to be sentimental and must put your feelings to one side. The decisions must be based solely on the abilities of the players.”
The coach is pleased to be able to include the overseas-based players and believes they will have a big impact on the side.
“They bring a touch of additional technique and experience, that is undeniable,” he says. “They are used to playing at a high intensity and the challenges that brings.”
Of the French contingent, Lolohea is arguably the one to watch and could emerge as a star of the tournament. The 22-year-old caught the eye for Magenta last season and has just taken up a one-year contract with Ligue Two professional club Stade Lavallois.
He has signed on as an amateur and will train and play with the club’s second string side in what is effectively the fifth division of the French game.
“It is very important for César to evolve in a professional environment and to learn and experience the reality of top-level players,” Coursimault says. “He can start to play with the reserves and then integrate himself into the first team.”
The Cagous will finish off their preparations for the Pacific Games with a one-week training camp in Australia in mid-August, during which they will face A-League club Gold Coast United in a pair of friendlies.
Miron Bleiberg’s side will offer ideal opposition in the build-up to the Games as they are a fully-professional outfit and will expose the New Caledonia players to a high level of football.
The 2011 Cagous crop has impressive boots to fill after their predecessors marched to the title four years ago in Samoa without losing a match.
Coursimault knows there will be plenty of pressure on his charges’ shoulders but is confident in their ability to handle it.
“My role and that of the staff will be to reassure the players and give them confidence but we must also guard against over confidence,” he says. “Expectations are high but that is to be expected and we must remain positive.”
New Caledonia squad for XIV Pacific Games
Goalkeepers
Jean Yan DOUNEZEK (AS Magenta)
Dimitri PETEMOU (AS Thio Sport)
Defenders
Emile BEARUNE (FC Gaïtcha)
Georges BEARUNE (FC Gaïtcha)
Olivier DOKUNENGO (AS Mont Dore)
Judikael IXOEE (AS Magenta)
Patrick QAEZE (FC Gaïtcha)
Jean-Paul READ (AS Magenta)
André SINEDO (AS Magenta)
Kenji VENDEGOU (AS Lössi)
Midfielders
Marius BAKO (FC Gaïtcha)
Arsène BOAWE (AS Thio Sport)
Joris GORENDIAWE (AS Magenta)
Dominique WACALIE (France)
Pierre WAJOKA (FC Gaïtcha)
Joël WAKANUMUNE (France)
César LOLOHEA (France)
Forwards
Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ (AS Magenta)
Jacques HAEKO (AS Lössi)
Michel HMAE (AS Mont Dore)
Iamel KABEU (Tahiti)
Bertrand KAI (Hienghène Sport)
Vincent TAUA (Italy)