Eels lose three key players ahead of TSL Champs

BY ROMULUS HUTA

HENDERSON Eels will be without three of its key members during the upcoming Telekom S-League championship which is due to kick off on January 27 in Honiara.

The three members are utility player Joses Nawo, defender Andrew Rarangia and Tutizama Tanito.

Nawo has joined Nalkutan FC of Vanuatu while Rarangia and Tutizama join Lae City Dwellers of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

In a statement on the club’s facebook page, Henderson Eels wish the three players all the best as they are about to join their new clubs for the Champions League campaign.

In their absence, replacements are already in place for them for the important task ahead in the domestic competition, according to the club management.

Henderson Eels finished at fourth place in the TSL standing and they will play fifth-placed Malaita Kingz over a two-legged fixture in the TSL championship.

Training has resumed earlier this week and the club looks forward to another good outing in the upcoming championship.

Meanwhile, the Eels trio was roped in by the Ni-Vanuatu and the PNG club to bolster their campaign in next month’s Oceania Champions League.

At Nalkutan, Nawo joins fellow countrymen Nelson Sale and veteran James Naka.

Nalkutan and Lae City were drawn into Pool A of the Oceania Champions League along with Ba of Fiji and the winner of the Champions League qualifier.

The Group A matches will be hosted in Port Vila, Vanuatu from February 10 to 16.

In the lead-up to the Oceania Champions League, the PNG National Soccer League is now underway since last weekend and Lae City Dwellers came out victors by defeating Besta PNG 3-2.

According to reports from Lae, the Dwellers are waiting for the arrival of Tanito, who is expected to provide the needed sparks when they take on Buang FC in their second match this weekend, combining with Eels PNG import Raymond Gunemba.

A statement from the club said: “This weekend game against the unknown Buang FC is expected to be another entertaining match and we are looking forward to it. The arrival of Solomon Islands live wire, Tutiizama Tanito this week will add the extra energy into our attacking tempo and finishing touches. Tutizama, a former Hekari United FC ace player is expected to blend well with his former team mates in Raymond Gunemba, Nigel Dabinyaba and Emmanuel Simon.

It will be a reunion for the four players and they are looking forward for an exciting season ahead. Tuti is expected to be called into the team for this weekend sighting his experience and fitness.”

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