JOINING the PNG’s co-captain Meagan Gunemba is her younger sister Anasthasia. She made the PNG National Women’s provisional squad ahead of the intercontinental play off in February.Anasthasia Gunemba currently plays in the backline position with her local Poro FC that participants in the Lae Football Association competition. Anaesthesia is also a utility player running the flank or at times as a striker. Meagen when asked about Anaesthesia confirmed that the new kid in the squad is her cousin sister a daughter of her father’s younger brother.She thanked PNG Football Association for realising her talent.“Thanks to PNGFA for realising Anasthasia’s talent and for selecting her for the squad. I believe she can make the final team because she is the best defender in Northern side,” Meagen said.Meagen added that as a senior player of Poro FC, she takes the girls for training and encourages them to play to their best. “I always tell her (Anaesthesia) to play to her best in her position and always have confidence,” she said.Anasthasia is amongst 13 new players listed on PNGFA’s provisional list along with 24 players retained from the OFC winning team totalling up to 37.Moreover, with only three months left for the February 2023 intercontinental play of in New Zealand PNGFA is yet to name the women’s head coach and the players have confirmed that they have already received notice from PNGFA to train in their respective zonesPNGFA Technical Director Paul Isorua said all players will follow the same training programs for the next two weeks and will focus on players high performance and fitness build-up.PNG has been grouped in Pool C with Chinese Taipei, Paraguay and Panama and will play its first pool match vs Panama on February 19, 2023 at the North Harbour stadium in Auckland.
The PNG Women’s National Football team provisional squad: Faith KASIRAY, Betty SAM, Lace KUNEI, Fidelma WATPORE (Goalkeepers), Lucy MAINO, Lavina HOLA, Margaret JOSEPH, Olivia UPAUPA, Shalom WAIDA, Isabella NATERA, Gloria LAELI, Serah WAIDA. Joan UTTIE, Anasthasia GUENMBA, Aida GEROTE, Cynthia PULOU, Fidorah NAMUESH (Defender) Rayleen BAUELUA, Ramona PADIO, Rumona MORRIS, Yvonne GABONG, Kesai KOTOME, Sandra BIRUM, Sonia EMBAHE, Phylis PALA, Michaelene BUTUBU, Daisy WINAS (Midfield), Meagan GUNEMBA, Marie KAIPU, Georgina KAIKAS, Charlie YANDIN, Arnolda DOU, Asaiso GOSSIE, Calista MANEO, Nenny ELIPAS, Cynthia BAGITA, Sherinda RIMBAO.
