Qualification for the Leaders and Challengers Groups of the OFC Pro League will be decided in Fiji, as Round 5 kicks off this weekend.
Having had three weeks to recuperate ahead of the final stretch of the competition, the teams and players are raring for a return to the pitch after the drama that unfolded in Honiara.
We’ve picked one player from each of the eight competing clubs to look out for as the action now descends on Ba and Suva.
Scott Wara | Bula FC
Age: 24
Position: Defender
Bula FC’s hero in Honiara, Scott Wara will return home to Fijian soil as the team prepare to play in front of their home fans for the first time. His overhead kick to defeat South Island United in second half stoppage-time will live long in memory and has ensured Bula arrive in front of their home fans in confident mood.
Born in Lautoka, Wara has previously spent all his playing career outside of Fiji, mainly in England with Stoke City’s youth teams, Stalybridge Celtic FC and Stafford Rangers FC, in English non-league football.
He made his senior international debut in 2018 and has only previously played four games on Fijian soil for the national team. The 24-year-old will get the chance to add to that tally with Bula FC when the OFC Pro League arrives.
Reid Drake | Auckland FC
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
Auckland FC midfielder Reid Drake has been a core component of the league leaders’ squad through the season so far, starting in eight of their ten matches.
The 30-year-old was the captain of New Zealand’s Northern League champions Western Springs last season and is a former three-time OFC Men’s Champions League winner with Auckland City FC in 2016, 2017 and 2022.
He’s currently eyeing up another continental title in the OFC Pro League, and his experience and leadership will be vital as Auckland FC begin to turn their focus towards the Leaders Group and the following finals series.
Raymond Gunemba | PNG Hekari FC
Age: 40
Position: Forward
The oldest player competing in the inaugural edition of the OFC Pro League, Raymond Gunemba is Papua New Guinea’s all-time leading goalscorer and third-highest appearance holder at senior international level.
His leadership skills have been invaluable to the PNG Hekari FC group throughout the campaign, but so far his side have continued to struggle to hit their straps, remaining stuck to the bottom of the table.
If PNG Hekari FC are to qualify for the semi-finals, their most likely route now appears to be through the Challengers Group and winning a play-off against the bottom-ranked Leaders Group side. It’s a long journey, but it’s one PNG Hekari FC could achieve if they start finally building some momentum in Fiji.
Rovu Boyers | South Island United
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
Solomon Islands international Rovu Boyers lit up Round 4 of the OFC Pro League with four goals – including the competition’s first hat-trick.
Playing in front of a home crowd in Honiara, Boyers scored a stunning hat-trick in the wet against PNG Hekari FC, before adding another in his side’s 3-2 defeat to Bula FC – taking his tally to five goals for the season.
Having dropped out of the top four, South Island United now face a vital stretch of fixtures in Fiji though, where Boyers will likely have to maintain his strong goal-scoring form if they are to finish with a spot in the Leaders Group.
Hassan Ramazani | Vanuatu United FC
Age: 25
Position: Defender
Born in Australia, Hassan Ramazani has quickly made Vanuatu his home since joining from the NPL Queensland league prior to the OFC Pro League season.
The defender has started in all 11 of the Chiefs matches this season, keeping to keep a clean sheet in their two fixtures in the Solomon Islands – including Vanuatu United FC’s win over South Melbourne FC and goalless draw with Auckland FC.
Those results have seen Vanuatu United climb into top four contention and Ramazani will be eager to continue his impressive defensive form as the Chiefs go in hunt of a spot in the Leaders Group in Fiji.
Junior Fordney | Solomon Kings FC
Age: 28
Position: Forward
Fresh off scoring his first senior international goal for the Solomon Islands against St Kitts & Nevis during the FIFA Series™, Junior Fordney should arrive in Fiji in confident mood as Solomon Kings FC look to return to winning ways.
Fordney previously played his club football in Fiji with Labasa FC for a season, before leaving for Bay Olympic in New Zealand, and will be familiar with the conditions in Suva and Ba.
He’s yet to score his first OFC Pro League goal from seven starts but will be eager to translate his performances from the international stage.
Ratu Waranaivalu | Bula FC
Age: 31
Position: Midfielder
Fijian international Ratu Waranaivalu will return to his home country when Tahiti United touch down in Fiji for Round 5.
The midfielder has amassed 32 international caps for Fiji since making his debut in 2015 and has previously played domestically for Suva FC and Rewa FC.
Waranaivalu has been a key figure for Tahiti United, only missing one game through their campaign so far, and should be motivated in front of a home crowd as they attempt to make a late charge for a top four finish.
Yuki Uchida | South Melbourne FC
Age: 25
Position: Forward
With five goals to his name, Japanese forward Yuki Uchida sits among the top goalscorers in the league after four rounds of the competition.
After competing at university level in his home nation, Uchida’s big break came with a move to Maltese Premier League club Sliema Wanderers in 2022. After a short stint in the Mediterranean, he made the move to down under and has been with South Melbourne FC since September last year – joining for the club’s Australia Championship success.
South Melbourne slipped up in Honiara and failed to register a victory from their two games, something Uchida will be hoping to help bounce back from in Fiji.
How to Watch & Tickets
Watch Round 5 of the OFC Pro League LIVE and FREE on FIFA+ HERE, or through your local broadcaster.
Buy your tickets for Round 5 of the OFC Pro League HERE