PORT VILA – Vanuatu begins its OFC Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament preparations this week as a 42-strong squad is assembled in the nation’s capital under the watchful eye
of new coach John Philemon.
Philemon and assistant coach Ephraim Kalorib are best known for their work with the Vanuatu U-12 national selection that won the OFC U-12 Festival of Football – Port Moresby 2007
and travelled to France to contest the Danone Nations Cup 2007 at the Stade Gerland in Lyon last year.
The achievement of the U-12 selection in finishing 19th out of 40 teams from around the world helped galvanise a fresh feeling of hope and optimism for the future of football in
Vanuatu and made the team – and Philemon – household names.
For Kalorib the appointment marks the beginning of a fledgling coaching career following his decision to retire after the XIII South Pacific Games. Kalorib was part of the Tafea
FC squad that sealed its fourteenth consecutive Port Vila Football Championship (PVFC) title in a row and made a comeback in the OFC O-League. It is believed that Kalorib’s recent experience as
a teammate of many of the Vanuatu U-23 squad is likely to prove a useful tool in drawing out match winning performances.
However, the task set before the popular pair is far removed from the friendly environs of what is essentially a community-orientated “feel good” tournament and the disappointing
performance of the Vanuatu U-20 men’s team at the OFC U-20 Men’s Championship provides a sobering reminder of the task ahead. Philemon and Kalorib will no doubt be aware of the significant step
up in quality and intensity of the challenge ahead but can point to a raft of key players that could prove match winners.
Chief amongst them is the mercurial Francois Sakama – currently in Israel on trial with a professional club – Sakama was one of the star performers at the XIII South Pacific
Games – Samoa 2007 and performed with distinction during Vanuatu’s failed FIFA U-20 World Cup qualification bid in New Zealand last year.
Sakama is quick, technically gifted, and has an eye for goal. Sakama’s goal against Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Games bronze medal match – a right foot swerving volley
from 16 yards out – was a contender for goal of the tournament. New Zealand are familiar with his abilities after Sakama scored during last year’s OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South
Africa Qualifier match in Wellington.
Another figure likely to feature in Philemon and Kalorib’s plans is the enigmatic Jean Victor Maleb. Maleb took the international stage by storm when he helped score the goals
that handed New Zealand a FIFA World Cup exit in Adelaide in 2004. Maleb’s abilities saw him trial with then FA Premiership club Southampton but as injury, lack of motivation and variable
approach to diet took its toll, Maleb drifted to the periphery of the international scene and managed only one goal at the XIII South Pacific Games. Maleb’s most recent achievements have been
in the OFC Beach Soccer Championship in 2006 and 2007 as Vanuatu finished runners-up on both occasions.
Jeffry Gete, Fenedy Masavakalau and Andrew Chichirua are also familiar names in Vanuatu football with Gete and Masavakalau both regular performers with the senior international
team whilst Chichirua is often selected as a squad player although he did appear against New Zealand in Port Vila last year.
Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) has opted for an experienced backroom team to assist Philemon and includes Albert Manaroto, Jonathan Naupa, Edward Nalial and George Reganvanu.
Vanuatu’s Olympic Games squad leaves for Fiji on February 28th in preparation for its first match against Cook Islands on March 1st.
For more details and news about the OFC Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament Qualifiers visit www.oceaniafootball.com
Vanuatu U-12 enjoy the media spotlight at the Danone Nations Cup 2008
Vanuatu fans enjoy the ambience at Port Vila Municipal Stadium
OFC U-12 Festival of Football trophy 2007
Vanuatu and New Caledonia celebrate together at the OFC U-12 Festival of Football 2007