Coach Yvan Poungui has revealed his squad for the Games and among the 23 names are those of seven stars based in France.
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 have all returned to their homeland as New Caledonia looks to claim its first ever placing in the Pacific Games women’s football tournament.
Poungi has kept tabs on the form and fitness of his overseas players by making regular contact with them over recent months and hopes their foreign experience will help the side make good use of home advantage.
Most of the French contingent joined up with the New Caledonia-based players last month and the squad is now in Port Vila, Vanuatu, putting the final touches on its preparations during a five-day training camp.
The hosts have been drawn in Group A for the women’s tournament with francophone rivals Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and American Samoa while Group B features Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and non-OFC member Guam.
New Caledonia women’s squad for XIV Pacific Games
Cheyenne DIEUMA (JS Baco)
Marielle HAOCAS (Olympique)
Glenda JAINE (FC Auteuil)
Madeleine JAINE (FC Auteuil)
Claire KAEMO (FC Gaïtcha)
Brenda KENON (OMS Païta)
Aurélie LALIE (Olympique)
Prisca LOLO (France)
Marilyse LOLO (France)
Kim MAGUIRE (Olympique)
Stéphanie PAHOA (Olympique)
Charlotte PELLETIER (OMS Païta)
Marjorie POUYE (OMS Païta)
Audrey SINEM (OMS Païta)
Elodie TEINPOAWI (France)
Beatrice TOLUAFE (AS Wetr)
Hélène WAENGENE (France)
Eva WAHIO (AS Wetr)
Aurélie WAHNAPO (France)
Christelle WAHNAWE (France)
Marie WANAKAIJA (Olympique)
Céline XOLAWAWA (France)
Kamené XOWIE (OMS Païta)
Team management:
Head coach: Yvan POUNGUI
Assistant coach: Lucie MOYATEA
FCF Representative: Serge MARTINENGO
Head of delegation: Jean OUCKENE
Physio: Bérangère PREVOST