Fiji brings in experienced goalkeeper coach

The Fiji FA announced the signing of Xavier Henneuse on Tuesday.

The Frenchman joined Christophe Gamel’s squad on Friday as they prepare for a friendly against the Philippines.

The five goalkeepers in Gamel’s extended squad for the camp, Benito Waqavou (Rewa), Josaia Ratu (Ba), Akuila Mateisuva (Labasa), Waisake Ravuiwasa (Lami) and Simione Tamanisau (Suva), will all get the benefit of working with the experienced 46-year-old.

Henneuse has previously had spells as goalkeeping coach for both Valenciennes and Stade de Reims in the French Ligue 1 and also played for Valenciennes in his active career. He has also previously worked for DR Congo and Madagascar in Africa.

“We have lost some games because of goalkeeping errors, and this is why I have requested for a goalkeeper coach,” Christophe Gamel told the Fiji FA’s website.

“Our goalkeepers mostly don’t take good options and we lose possession and in every match taking possession in very important and that what we want our goalkeepers to learn.”

CEO of the Fiji FA Mohammed Yusuf said they decided to bring in a goalkeeping coach after looking at the last 13 matches.

“After analyzing the past 13 international games from last year, we conceded goals because of the blunders by our goalkeepers and thus we need an expertise to guide our goalkeepers,” Yusuf said.

The match against the Philippines will be played on the 22^nd of March in Manilla. Football in Oceania wishes Fiji the best of luck.