Wawa FC determined for a showdown against Madang FC, after facing PSL Defending Champions on Saturday, May 30th in their first PSL match.
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) has officially kicked off and the competition’s newest entrants, Wawa FC from Morobe’s young Wau Waria District, made a spirited debut despite falling 4-1 to Moresby-based Gulf Komara, the reigning NPSL champions.
Wawa FC, the first football club established to represent the people of Wau Waria District at the national level, is an initiative of Destiny Party Leader and first-term Wau Waria MP Hon. Marsh Narewec. The club was created to provide a pathway for local talent from some of the district’s most remote communities to compete on a bigger stage and showcase their abilities.
Facing a squad packed with experienced players from around the country, Wawa FC entered the match as underdogs but impressed with their determination and defensive resilience, particularly during the opening stages of the contest.
According to Wau Waria District’s Sports Coordinator, Aron Bimbo, the first 25 minutes of the match were fiercely contested, with Wawa FC displaying a much stronger defensive structure compared to their build-up matches.
“They travelled down from Wau and Coach Troy Gunemba only had two days to train them before this game. Despite that, they showed great improvement. Win or lose, we were all very impressed with their performance,” Bimbo said.
He added that as the “new kid on the block” the team still requires further development and training ahead of their next PSL fixture against Madang FC on Wednesday, June 3rd.
Sharing similar sentiments, Wawa FC coach Troy Gunemba praised his players for their effort and composure against the defending champions, highlighting the significance of scoring a goal against one of the country’s experienced top sides.
“It is a great start and a positive first impression for a new and inexperienced team. These are raw talents coming straight out of the remotest parts of the district, and they managed to score against the defending champions,” Gunemba said.
The coach was particularly pleased with the team’s midfield performance, noting their ball control and movement throughout the match. He explained that his focus during the brief two-day preparation period was on strengthening the team’s defensive structure, which showed clear improvement during the game.
Gunemba believes the goals conceded were largely due to the team’s need for further work in attack, an area he is yet to fully develop with the squad. With the players based in Wau and the coach in Lae, he said additional training camps in Lae will be necessary to help refine their skills and build tactical cohesion.
“We still need more work on our attacking play, goalkeeping and especially the back four. The defenders are the foundation of protecting the goal. They need to establish a strong defensive line and communicate effectively with the rest of the team,” he said.
Despite the loss, Gunemba described the performance as a major positive for the club.
“Of the 30 players in the squad, only three are guest players and the rest are raw local talents identified from the remotest communities of Wau Waria. So again, win or lose, Wawa FC is here to make an impact,” he said.
For the coach, the team’s ability to withstand the pressure of going head-on with the defending champions in their very first PSL match and register a goal of their own was a statement, an indication of the potential within the squad.
The club’s participation in the Premiere Soccer League is a milestone achievement for Wau Waria District under the leadership of Hon. Marsh Narewec, whose vision for Wawa FC is centered on youth empowerment, talent development, creating opportunities for young people through sports and promoting peace, identity and unity.
As Wawa FC continues its maiden PSL journey, the team will look to build on the experience gained from its opening-round clash and carry that momentum into its upcoming encounter with Madang FC.