Respect Shown as Moli Receives Māori Football Aotearoa Shirt

Auckland City FC General Manager Gordon Watson presented Central Coast FC head coach Jacob Moli with a Māori Football Aotearoa shirt in recognition of his long‑standing contribution to football in the Solomon Islands and across Oceania.

Also present to make it a multicultural morning were head coach Rudy Mozr (Czechia), Mario Ilich (captain of Auckland City FC), Bianca Tarawa, Jacob Moli and Central Coast skipper Javin Wae.

For Moli, Saturday’s final represents another chapter in a remarkable coaching journey in the region.

The former Solomon Islands international guided KOSSA to the 2008 OFC O‑League final, where the Honiara club defeated Waitakere United 3‑1 in the first leg at Lawson Tama Stadium before ultimately finishing runners‑up.

Eighteen years later, Moli has returned to an Oceania club final with Central Coast FC.

Since becoming the club’s head coach when Central Coast was founded in 2020, Moli has overseen S‑League championship successes in 2021, 2024 and 2025 and previously guided the club to the OFC Champions League semi‑finals in 2022.

Their progress to Saturday’s final was secured in dramatic fashion with a 3‑2 extra‑time victory over Galaxy FC, Rafa Lea’i completing a hat‑trick in the 117th minute.

For Watson, presenting Moli with the Māori Football Aotearoa shirt was a gesture of sporting respect, but also one carrying a wider cultural meaning.

“Jacob has been part of Oceania football for a very long time and I think people sometimes underestimate what that represents,” Watson said.

“To take KOSSA to an Oceania final in 2008 and then, 18 years later, lead another Solomon Islands club into this final says a great deal about his knowledge of the game and his service to football in the Solomon Islands.

“We are opponents on Saturday and both clubs desperately want to win, but that should never prevent us from recognising the mana and contribution of people who have given so much to our game.”

Māori Football Aotearoa’s kaupapa places particular emphasis on tikanga Māori, whakapapa, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga.

The organisation regards its playing shirt as more than simply football apparel. Those entrusted with it become kaitiaki — guardians of a taonga carrying the identity and people represented by Māori Football Aotearoa.

That made the presentation especially appropriate. “The shirt has meaning,” Watson said.

“It represents whakapapa, people and responsibility. In our tikanga, manaakitanga is about the way we acknowledge and care for others, while whanaungatanga recognises the relationships that connect us.

“Jacob has devoted a large part of his life to developing footballers and teams in the Solomon Islands. Presenting him with the shirt was a small way of acknowledging that contribution.”

The moment also reflected football’s capacity to connect the different peoples and cultures of Te Moana‑nui‑a‑Kiwa.

Māori and the peoples of the Pacific possess their own distinct identities, histories and traditions, but sport provides a meeting place in which relationships can be built and mutual respect expressed.

Auckland City FC’s own history in Oceania has created friendships and rivalries throughout the Pacific, with Saturday’s encounter adding another chapter.

Central Coast pushed the Navy Blues hard when the sides met in the group stage in Lautoka, Auckland City recovering from behind to win 2‑1.

On Saturday, there will be no shortage of competitive intensity when the two teams meet again with Oceania’s premier club trophy at stake.

Before then, however, the presentation to Moli offered a reminder that some things endure beyond the final whistle.

“Football is competition, and at this level we all understand what is at stake,” Watson said. “But Oceania football is also built on people and relationships.

Jacob has earned enormous respect through what he has contributed to Solomon Islands football.

Whatever happens in the final, that contribution deserves to be acknowledged.”

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