A funeral service will be held today in Honiara today to remember the life of former Solomon Islands football international Commins Menapi.
The 40-year-old, who scored over 30 goals in just under 40 matches for his country, died at home in the early hours of Saturday morning and is survived by his wife and children.
He had a long club career in Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australia and had also been involved in coaching at club and national age grade level.
Commins Menapi playing for New Zealand club Waitakere United in 2008. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Chief Executive of the Solomon Islands Football Federation, Joseph Boso, said Menapi leaves a lasting legacy.
"In the Pacific as well Commins left his mark in the Australian football scene, New Zealand and elsewhere so I think it is a time for the Oceania Football family to remember one of the greatest ever footballers to come from the Solomon Islands," he said.
"Commins is very much an everyday figure in football in Solomon Islands - you cannot mention his name to people without them knowing his legacy and his calibre as a player.
"I think he really made the mark for himself to be remembered a long time especially with those two goals against Australia (in a 2-2 draw against the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup).
"But in the local club scene he is a unique player who, for me, really embodies the football persona in terms of how he works hard and the discipline that goes into his training and his commitment with his clubs and also with the national team.
"And also beyond his playing days he was still around trying to pass on his experience and his knowledge to the younger players."
Commins Menapi took part in the the OFC Senior B Licence coaching course in Solomon Islands last month. Photo: Oceania Football
Joseph Boso said Mr Menapi had been unwell for a while but the news still came as a shock to the local football community.
"Earlier this year he was very sick during the OFC Champions League and he missed some of the games that his club played in the competition because of the illness," he said.
"But sometime in June he seemed to recover and we thought that whatever he was struggling with was over but then during the OFC B Licence (coaching) course we noted that he was struggling a little bit.
"But we just thought it was the heat and the humidity during the time the course was run but as we now know he's been sick again."
A minutes silence was held during national league matches over the weekend and his funeral will be held this afternoon at St Barnabas cathedral in Honiara.
Following the funeral, Mr Menapi's body will be transported to his home village in Temotu Province where he will be laid to rest.
