The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) and OFC President Lambert Maltock expressed heartfelt condolences, on behalf of the Vanuatu Football Family, to New Caledonia Football, particularly the NC futsal team, and the families and relatives of Marcel Hnepeune, who tragically passed away last weekend in Noumea.
President Maltock invited the visiting Vanuatu Gideons Futsal team to VFF Haus on Monday evening to join him and other VFF executive members in observing a one-minute silence as a mark of respect for the loss of a fellow Melanesian footballer. Marcel had been with the Fiji and Vanuatu teams at the recent Melanesian Futsal Cup tournament in Suva before his untimely passing.
“It is a sad and significant loss not only for New Caledonia Football but also for Melanesia and the entire OFC community,” expressed Maltock. “Marcel was a young and talented player who had emerged through his country’s development programs, bringing pride to his family and his people. We stand in solidarity with our brothers in New Caledonia Football, representing Vanuatu, Melanesia, and Oceania Football as a whole.”
During this time of sorrow, President Maltock offered prayers for comfort and peace to Marcel’s family and the football community. He emphasized Marcel’s desire for the continuation of football programs to nurture and produce new talents who would carry on his legacy and elevate the sport to greater heights.
Marcel, who was awarded the Player of the Match in the Third and Fourth Placing playoff between New Caledonia and Fiji at the recent Melanesian Futsal Cup tournament, reportedly passed away from a cardiac arrest while playing in a match on Saturday evening.
