Ba eyes three US players

Three professional players who are playing in the Major League Football (MLS) in the United States are being eyed by Ba officials. The players were now being contacted on the possibility of playing for Ba at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League.

The winner from the competition qualifies to play at the FIFA Club World Cup later in the year.

This was decided during Ba Football Association’s board meeting last Sunday.

Ba manager Arvind Singh said they are holding talks with three top players from the US.

“Everything is progressing well in trying to get the players in as we are talking to their clubs and agents. “We expect to finalise everything before the team fly out to Vanuatu for the Champions League.

“The three players will strengthen our defence, midfield and strike force as they are specialised in these key positions,” Singh said.

“They are very good players and we hope to get them soon.”

The Men in Black will march into camp on Friday for the Champions League.

“The players have been training well for the last three weeks and we will take our best players. We have set our target to win the Champions League and our players are capable of winning.

“Our players are working hard and surely the inclusion of the three MLS players will be a morale booster for the team.” Ba are in Group A along with tough Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea clubs. They will play their group matches from February 10 to 18 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The 2018 edition of the Champions League will introduce a quarter-final stage, expanding the competition to five stages which will be played at different venues across Oceania and see 18 teams battle for qualification to the FIFA Club World Cup.

“We are in a tough pool and we are confident of our chances this time,” Singh added.

The side won’t be playing any international build-up matches.

“We do not have much time to play international clubs as build-up for the Champions League.

“We have the Vodafone Premier League games to play before the Champions League and we will use that as our build-up at the moment.”

The Men in Black face Nadi on Sunday at 3pm at Prince Charles Park in the opening round of the Premier League.

However, the side will miss their star defender Kishan Sami since he is away in New Zealand.

The 17-year-old sensational defender made his debut with the Vodafone Fijian football side last year.

“We will field a strong side against Nadi with all our top players and we are confident of starting our season on a high.”

Sami is expected to join the side later this month for the Champions League.