KOSSA appoints new Head Coach

Marahare axed

By Taromane Martin

KOSSA FC Head Coach Eddie Marahare marches on proudly as his players celebrate behind. KOSSA defeated Marist FC 4-2 on Saturday…Photo Taromane Martin

TELEKOM Soccer League (TSL) side KOSSA Football Club has sacked their Head Coach Eddie Marahare as the new TSL season gets ready to kick off this weekend.

With Marahare gone the club has announced former national soccer and beach soccer player Mr Vivian Wickham as his replacement.

KOSSA wished Mr Wickham all the best in performing the important responsibilities of this position with the club.

“The club would like to announce the appointment of Vivian Wickham as the New Coach for Kossa FC in the upcoming S League season 2018/2019.

“The club send its best wishes for Viv Wickham continued wisdom, strength and commitment in performing the important and responsible duties of this position,” a club statement said.

Vivian Wickham spent his club career in Australia and New Zealand, also playing seven times for the national men’s football team.

He plays as a midfielder and has also played beach soccer for the country at the 2006 FIFA Beach soccer World Cup.

First playing for an Australian club in 2001, Wickham spent two years at the recently formed Toowoomba Raiders FC, based in Queensland.

From there, he moved to New Zealand club Central United, a bigger club then playing in the Northern Premier League.

After playing for United in 2002 and 2003, Wickham signed for Mangere United, also based in Auckland, ahead of the 2004 season.

Wickham made his debut for the Solomon Islands in a 9–1 win over the Cook Islands on 4 June 2001 in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier. He played in three more qualifiers in June, against Vanuatu, New Zealand and Tahiti.

He scored twice in the space of thirty minutes in the 7-2 win over Vanuatu on 8 June.[1] These were the only goals of his international career.

In 2002, he played in OFC Nations Cup losses against New Zealand and Tahiti as well as a 0–0 draw with Papua New Guinea.

In November 2006, Wickham played for the Solomon Islands national beach soccer team at the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Wickham made his debut in the competition in the 5–2 win over Cameroon on 2 November. He then played in the losses to Portugal and Uruguay as Solomon Islands were eliminated in the first stage.

Since ending his playing career, Wickham has coached the Solomon Islands beach soccer team, nicknamed the Bilikiki.

After the 2006 Beach Soccer World Cup, Wickham became the marketing manager of the Solomon Islands Football Federation, also holding the position of Business Development Executive in the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company.

He has since become the marketing manager of Solomon Airlines, acquiring this position in February 2010.

This role has included presenting both the Solomon Islands beach soccer and under-17 football teams with sets of shirts.

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