The 2015 NSL Grand finalists, Madang FC, will join the Lae City Dwellers as the second of Papua New Guinea’s representative sides in the OFC Champions League.
Madang FC were given the opportunity to represent PNG after the disqualification of Hekari United.
Whilst two other clubs, Gigira Laitepo Morobe, and Rapatona were third and fourth respectively in the 2016 finals series, no indication was given as to their non-selection by the OFC.
Despite the late notice, reports have stated that the club has been preparing for the event, and will now be set to become the third Papua New Guinean side in the champions league, following in the footsteps of Hekari and Lae City Dwellers.
Madang FC have been placed in Pool A of the champions League, alongside New Caledonian Champions, AS Magenta, AS Central Sport, and Lupe Ole Soaga.
In the meantime, the Lae City Dwellers have announced PNG international player, Emmanuel Simon, as part of their new playing roster for the year.
The silky midfielder, who played a large part in the middle for hosts Papua New Guinea during the OFC Nations Cup last year, will boost Lae City Dwellers – with head coach Peter Gunemba stating last week that they would miss the services of a number of big name players this season.
Simon joins a Lae side that is expecting to have talismanic captain Raymond Gunemba back in the fold ahead of their champions League campaign, and is expected to settle into the squad prior to their departure.
Simon’s move from 9 time PNG Champions Hekari, comes about as the midfielder looks in a different direction in his career.
