Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for two emerging football talents from Fiji. Faazil Ali and Angeline Rekha departed for Wellington, New Zealand this morning, where they are set to undertake a two-week trial with the professional football club, Wellington Phoenix. This opportunity is made possible through the support of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA), demonstrating their commitment to fostering football talent within the Oceania region.
Both players began their football journey in the youth teams of Ba FC and Ba Women’s FC, respectively. 20 year old Faazil Ali, recently represented Fiji in the FIFA U20 World Cup held in Argentina in May. His inclusion in the Fiji U20 team at the tournament is a testament to his talent and potential. The invaluable experience in Argentina has undoubtedly prepared Faazil Ali for the challenges that lie ahead with Wellington Phoenix. Ali’s path started at the tender age of 14 when he first donned Fiji’s jersey, marking the beginning of his football journey. His progression over the years stands as a testament to the accomplishments of Fiji FA and Ba FC’s development programs.
Angeline Rekha, a 19-year-old rising star, has earned her place in the Digicel Fiji Young Kulas squad and is set to represent Fiji in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Columbia next year. Her selection for this tournament underscores her skills and commitment to the sport. She has also risen through the ranks in the national women’s team from the age of 14 and currently also plays for the senior women’s national team, the Digicel Fiji Kulas. The trial with Wellington Phoenix offers an unparalleled opportunity for her to advance her football journey.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Yusuf, extended his best wishes to the two young players and expressed his hopes that more talents emerging from the Fijian Football ecosystem receive similar opportunities to play abroad.
“As Faazil and Angeline departed for Wellington this morning, their journey symbolizes the growing promise of Fijian football. This underlines the potential for the region to produce top-tier football talent,” said Yusuf.
“This two week trial with a professional football club like Wellington Phoenix will undoubtedly have a huge impact on their careers and add value to their footballing journey in many ways.”
Wellington Phoenix, based in New Zealand but competing in the Australian first division league, the A-League, is renowned for its dedication to developing young talents. It has a strong legacy of nurturing promising players and providing them with a platform to make their mark on the professional stage. The club’s association with Fiji FA is further exemplified by the success of the Digicel Fiji National men’s team captain, Roy Krishna, who signed his first professional contract with Wellington Phoenix nine years ago creating a legacy for others to follow.
