As the latest addition to the Papua New Guinea’s semi-professional soccer competition, the club is yet to show their discipline, their style of football, their best players and of course who their real supporters are.
Coached by former soccer player, soldier and reputable coach Peter Gunemba and managed by a strong team of sponsors, administrators and officials most of whom are non-alcoholics, discipline is paramount.
Currently the team comprises 35 inexperienced, experienced, raw and talented players whose individual qualities so far have given a hard time to the coaching and technical team to come up with their final 25 who will participate in the season.
The only international player and import for the club is OFC Champions League player Harold Buskh, a Tongan striker and midfielder who is currently playing in Fiji, and awaiting clearance by the club.
Players with NSL experience are Goroba Tau, Japheth Tiampo, Matheson Nasa, Kohu Liem, Emmanuel Simon and Emmanuel Yawi, while co-sponsor and Panamex Pacific PNG national sales and marketing manager Ronald Ram will also play on the flanks.
Zilu Scientific managing director Jason Peter is co-sponsor with Panamex Pacific PNG with him and Ram becoming directors to the club, while Gidi Madu (president), John Gulupao (treasure), Elsie Maggorz (secretary), Peter Gunemba (head coach), Raymond Nasa (trainer), David Jemo (team manager) and Peter Dabinyaba (assistant team manager) make up the management and technical team.
One thing for sure is that Lae FC is a truly Morobean franchise after concluding a successful team bonding and buildup session at Busamang village in Salamaua, Huon Gulf, the management is planning to visit villages in Nawaeb, Markham and Bulolo in the coming weeks to give the rural people of Morobe a feeling of ownership.
”We are a new team and we have not played with a strong opponent yet, our first game will show whether we have prepared well or not. We don’t want to see Lae FC as a new club where other clubs can gain points from,” said coach Gunemba.
Gunemba said discipline is of utmost importance and they have imposed strict discipline on players conduct on and off the field and have worked hard to get the team to honor God and practice the franchise motto.