Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) president John Kapi Natto confirmed to NBC News that Papua New Guinea men’s national football team head coach Warren Moon has been released from his contract. A new coach is expected to be announced later this week.

Moon’s departure follows a brief spell in which he led Kapuls to the 2023 Pacific Games and this year’s OFC Men’s Championship. Although Moon’s contract was extended in February, he has agreed to part ways with PNGFA.

Moon released, PNGFA gets new coach (PNGFA photo)

The decision to terminate Moon’s contract was influenced by his reluctance to relocate to Port Moresby as required by PNGFA to oversee the Kapuls preparations. Kapi Natto stressed that the new coach, who is expected to arrive this week, will be well-known in the region and will be given a three-year contract. The new appointee will be based in Port Moresby to prepare the senior team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Kapi Natto told local media NBC News that “We had to remove Warren Moon because we asked him to come to the country and work with our national teams to prepare them for the World Cup qualifiers. He couldn’t come, so we had to terminate his contract.”

Kapi Natto further explained that the new coach will focus on developing from the youth level to the senior team. He expressed confidence in the new appointment, noting: “I am confident that this man will try to bridge the gap in the technical side.”

Moon’s short stint began in 2023 with the specific task of leading the PNG men’s team through the Solomon Islands Games. Despite a disappointing performance at the Pacific Games, Moon’s contract was extended to include the World Cup qualifiers. Kapi Natto acknowledged that the team’s recent performances have been disappointing, but remains hopeful that the new coach will improve the team’s position.

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