BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
MARIST FC’s Abraham Iniga, will lead his team into this year’s new season of the 2021 Telekom Super League says Head Coach Patrick Miniti.
Iniga has previously intended to have a break in this year’s Telekom Super League (TSL) season, however, he has confirmed his reappearance and will lead the Marist FC’s 25 men’s team.
“It is always a challenging task to lead a team….however, I must thank our coach and teammates for their confidence vested in me. And I am assuring my boys that I will always be there for them.
“I will make sure all credit vested upon me by our Coach and teammates is tangible throughout the League.
“I am pretty sure that we are ready, and we will continue to make sure our contribution as players will be upheld, maintain our fitness and sportsmanship during this TSL competition,’’ Iniga told Raw Sport.
Head Coach Patrick says his role this year is more as a mentor to the younger on the team.
“I am aware of the leadership role and character that Abraham Iniga has possessed.
“His presence in the Marist FC will have a big and positive impact on the team’s morale and confidence in the new TSL season,” the Head Coach told Raw Sports.
Over the past months which led up to the new season, the club has gone through tough and uneasy times – dealing with players’ transfer and shortage of coaching staff.
Coach Miniti said the underlined challenges had forced the club’s management to quickly come up with positive resolutions to address the problems before the start of this year’s new TSL season.
He said: “We had finalized our 25 men squad for this season. It has comprised of new and young players, and with the inclusion of Marist’s FC veteran, Abraham Iniga, I am sure we can make a positive impact in this new 2021 season.
“The team is working on all the areas that need to be settled ahead of our first match in the second opening game of this new season this month.
“Our friendly match had said it all. My boys did well and had shown great effort on the pitch. We did lead in the first 25 minutes of the game, however, they had leveled the scoreline in the first half.
“The game gave my boys a boost of confidence and I believe and hope my players had also identified their weaknesses or strength, where we as a team or as the individual ought to build from,’’ Miniti said.
Marist FC beat VFresh Isabel United FC 4-3 in their recently friendly match. The match displayed Marist’s teamwork and confidence to compete against the best teams in the domestic League.
Season 2021 of the Telekom S-League starts on the weekend at Lawson Tama Stadium. Marist FC will play against Waneagu FC on Saturday 5th June at 2 pm.
The club’s major sponsor for this season is South Pacific Oil (SPO) as they have already given a green light to support the club. The sponsorship will include Uniforms and other sporting equipment.
“Yes at the moment, SPO has given the green light to support us in this season but will take a while, but yes! 90%, we are sure the deal is here,’’ said Miniti.
