Suva soccer team utility player Esava Naqeleca has been named the captain of the National Under-23 soccer team for the Olympic qualifiers.
Assisting Naqeleca will be Labasa team goalkeeper Akuila Mataisuva who has been named the vice-captain.
Meanwhile upcoming defender Poasa Bainivalu has been left out of the team.
Bainivalu performed strongly for Lautoka last season but he will miss the trip to New Zealand with midfielder Taione Kerevanua who also has been dropped.
The Fiji soccer under-23 team will play its first match against Solomon Islands on Friday at 11am in Taupo, NZ.
This London Olympic qualifiers were supposed to be held in Fiji however Oceania Football Confederation shifted the games to NZ due to contempt of court proceedings against OFC executive, Tai Nicholas in Fiji.
Story by: Dhanjay Deo
Naqeleca to captain Fiji U23
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