Ageva from Bougainville to the big stage (Post Courier 16/11/16)

Nicollete Ageva during the FIFA U20 Womens World Cup in Port Moresby
picture by Mark Talia Post Courier Photographer

By FIDELIS SUKINA

The Papua New Guinea U20 Womens team faces a tough task, but Nicollete Ageva could produce a goal for PNG.

Bougainvillean recruit Nicollete Ageva was hard at training with her team mate’s on 15th November 2016 getting ready to face one of Europes toughest teams in Sweden.

Ageva could be a goal scorer for Papua New Guinea after her performance in the opening match despite getting thumped by a classy Brazillian outfit; Ageva was one of the stand outs in the PNG team.

Ageva wearing jersey number 10 on Sunday night produced a roar from the crowd when her cross briefly threatened to sneak in at the back post.

The shy but out spoken young lady was given the chance to represent Papua New Guinea after she was spotted playing soccer with friends in Bougainville.

She only played soccer on occasion in certain tournaments but was lucky enough to be spotted by officials from Oceania.

“I was discovered in Buka last year when I was doing my grade 10 at Hutjena Secondary School in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville when representatives of the Oceania Football Competition (OFC) just play program were in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” Ageva said

OFC coaches were not wrong with the talent of Ageva who impressed the WOmens under 20 coach Lisa Cole during their training at Goroka where was also studying doing her grade 11.

From the shores of Bougainville to the peaks of Goroka Ageva is privileged to be a part of the U20 PNG Womens team.

Ageva was grateful enough for her parents to be part of the opening match of U20 PNG Womens team, and she did not disappoint with a great game.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be in this team and to be playing in the FIFA U20 World Cup tournament, playing with the team, we are getting along well, as we help each other, understand each other’s position in the team,” Ageva said

Sweden are European champions coming into the tournament and team PNG will have to dig extra deep to produce a great win