Players from the local domestic league and competitions in Europe have been included in New Caledonia’s squad for March’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition in Qatar.
National team stalwarts such as Bertrand Kai, Joel Wakanumune and Emile Bearune head up the local contingent in coach Dominique Wacalie’s squad.
Cesar Zeoula and Joris Kenon, who play for UA Cognac FC in the French fifth division, will compete for places in the midfield, while Jean-Gilles Hnamuko, a current member of Luxembourg’s FC Alisontia Steinsel, is one of three goalkeepers selected.
New Caledonia’s journey in Group B will begin with a clash against Fiji on March 18, followed by meetings with Papua New Guinea and top-ranked New Zealand.
New Caledonia squad for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition
Goalkeepers: Rocky NYIKEINE (Hienghene Sport), Mickael ULILE (AS Magenta), Jean-Gilles HNAMUKO. (FC Alisontia Steinsel). Defenders: William ROKUAD (AS Lossi), Joel WAKANUMUNE (Tiga Sport), Joseph ATHALE (Hienghene Sport), Jean-Brice WADRIAKO (Tiga Sport), Wesley LAUTOA (N/A), Vincent VAKIE (AS Kunie), Emile BEARUNE (N/A), Jean-Luc DECOIRE (Hienghene Sport), Pierre KAUMA (Trio Kedeigne), Louis PIAA (AS Wetr). Midfielders: Cesar ZEOULA (UA Cognac FC), Pierre BAKO (Tiga Sport), Richard SELE (Tiga Sport), Credric SANSOT (Hienghene Sport), Cedric DECOIRE (CA Saint-Louis), Joris KENON (UA Cognac FC), Roberto NEOERE (AS Kunie), Christopher WACALIE (N/A). Forwards: Lues WAYA (Tiga Sport), Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ (US Concarneau), Jean-Philippe SAIKO (AS Lossi), Jordan WETRIA (SC Ne Drehu), Titouan RICHARD (Tiga Sport), Germain HAEWEGENE (AS Wetr), Bertrand KAI (Hienghene Sport), Morgan MATELON (Tiga Sport), Rodrigue WALONE (N/A).