Menapi has also returned to his former club after playing with New Zealand’s Waitakere United FC and, for a number of seasons, with Honiara champions Makuru Football Club.
He is arguably the Solomon Island’s most well known footballer and has gathered extensive experience for a number of clubs playing in New Zealand and Australia. Menapi has gained in excess of 30 caps for his country and will be invaluable role model to his younger teammates and his lethal striking ability will worry all opponents.
And Marist will come into this weekend’s match high on confidence after a morale boosting 4–0 win over Zome Mars FC, lead by Solomon Islands World Cup Beach Soccer star James Naka during their recent build up to this O-League Championship.
Earlier this week they completed a week long training camp at the NAC facilities in Tenaru. In what may be a good omen the same venue was used by the club when preparing for the finals of the Our Telekom National Club Championship which they then went on to win, beating Koloale FC 1-0 in the final.
Menapi is accompanied by some other will known Oceania footballers in this Marist squad; midfielder Abraham Iniga, and central defender Jacob Pekau will wear blue and white this season after both switching allegiances from (Group B rivals) Papua New Guinea club Hekari.
Also featured in the 2010 O-League squad are some young players with exciting potential to add to an already potent Marist strike force.
Fleet footed forward Tutizama Tanito was revelation during Marist’s National Club Championship campaign.
Joe Luwi has already established his name in the O-League with KOSSA FC. He comes with a reputation for powerful shooting ability and a canny sense for attacking opportunities.
Experienced midfielder Abraham Iniga will wear the captain’s armband for Marist FC in this season’s O-League. Iniga was a key member of Marist’s acclaimed 2004/05 team which included stars like Jack Samani and Jerry Allen.