(Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek)
Jefpta Taravaki has taken the first steps on what he hopes will be a journey to the top of the professional game.
The 16-year-old Vanuatu forward impressed during a challenging OFC U-16 Men’s Championship for Emerson Alcantara’s side in Tahiti.
He scored twice and was dangerous every time he touched the ball, playing on the right wing.
Football is a religion in Vanuatu, and Taravaki caught his love for the game at an early age.
Hailing from Mele Village just outside the nation’s capital Port Vila, Taravaki lives across the road from the field where he learned to play. He started playing competitively aged six and he lives, breathes and eats football, playing at every opportunity.
Taravaki, who scored 23 goals last season, currently plays for the Tupuji FC U-19 team in Vanuatu. He has three younger sisters, two of whom play football, and one is in the Vanuatu Academy programme.
He is coached by former Vanuatu international goalkeeper David Chilia at Tupuji FC and credits him for his rise to making the national U-16 team.
Taravaki describes his sheer elation when Vanuatu coach Emerson Alcantara told him he was in the squad for Tahiti.
“I felt excited because when I was a child, I dreamed that one day I would play for my country. I ran to my father and mother and hugged them.”
Although Vanuatu hasn’t achieved the results they were after at this tournament, Taravaki says he has learnt a lot by travelling to Tahiti with the team.
“I have learned to discipline myself and we have learned (as a team) to listen to our coach.
‘He has told me to that when I’m taking the ball, I must look, see the goal first to shoot the ball, because sometimes I don’t look.” Taravaki said.
“It has been a big step up playing against international players rather than playing for my club at home. The games are harder, but it’s good.”
Jefpta dreams of one day emulating Brian Kaltak and playing professionally overseas.
“I want to be a football star one day.” Asked who he models his game on, he relies, “Julian Alvarez”, the former Manchester City winger who has just joined Atletico Madrid.
The Vanuatu U-16 team was in the stands to watch the senior team play New Zealand in the OFC Men’s Nations Cup final.
“It was so exciting – I had never seen such a big crowd before,” Taravaki beamed.
Taravaki feels this experience over the past few weeks has already made him a better player, and it has helped him identify areas he needs to improve in his game.
“I need to improve my dribbling, and I need to discipline myself,” he reflected.
Knowing there are no guarantees he will fulfil his dream, education is as important for Taravaki as his football. He is in year 9 and has three more years of studies.
He also realises at some point he will need to find a club overseas to develop his career, but for now Jefpta Taravaki is living his dream, representing his club, his country and playing the game he loves.