Nigel Dabinyaba
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992
Place of birth Lae, Papua New Guinea
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Lae City
Number 9
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Gigira Laitepo Morobe
2010–2011 Besta PNG United
2011–2014 Hekari United
2014–2016 Lae City (11)
2016 Western Pride 2 (1)
2016 Canterbury United 2 (0)
2017–2018 Penang FA 18 (3)
2018– Lae City (9)
2018 Hamilton Wanderers
2019 Malaita Kingz
International career‡
2011 Papua New Guinea U20 3 (2)
2012 Papua New Guinea U23 4 (1)
2014– Papua New Guinea 19 (11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 February 2020
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 October 2022

Nigel Dabinyaba (born 26 October 1992), sometimes spelt Nigel Dabingyaba, is a Papua New Guinean footballer who plays as a forward for Lae City FC in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, as well as the Papua New Guinea national team.[1] Besides Papua New Guinea, he has played in New Zealand and Malaysia.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

He has won seven National Soccer League titles, including three with Hekari United and four with Lae City FC. Internationally, he has earned 18 caps and scored 8 goals since his debut in 2014.

Early life

Dabinyaba was born in Lae,[10] and attended Bugandi High School.[11][12]

Club career

He is just 18 and his discipline, commitment and attitude towards training is like a veteran or a senior player [...] [the coach] always banks on him.

– Morobe FC club manager Stanley Khanna[11]

Domestic beginnings

Aged 18, Dabinyaba played for Gigira Laitepo Morobe in the 2009–10 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League.[13][14] He had been rejected by Besta PNG United ahead of the season, but was described as 'one of the most consistent players in the team' by manager Stanley Khanna.[11] The side reached the Grand Final of the competition, before being beaten 5–0 by Hekari United.[15]

Dabinyaba was recruited by Besta PNG United, the PNGFA-sanctioned development team, ahead of the 2010–11 season,[16] with the side finishing fourth in the regular season table. Dabinyaba was then selected to represent the Lae Football Association in the 2011 Besta Cup,[17] which the side went on to win.[18]

Hekari United

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Dabinyaba was recruited by champions Hekari United.[19] As well as competing domestically, Dabinyaba also played in the 2011–12 OFC Champions League,[20] where the club finished second in Group B, narrowly missing out on a final berth behind eventual champions Auckland City. However, he was able to pick up his first domestic national trophy after helping Hekari to the NSL title.[21] Dabinyaba once again represented Lae in the 2012 Besta Cup, scoring two goals in the final against Bougainville in a 7–0 thrashing.[22]

On 27 April 2013, Dabinyaba scored his first goal in continental competition, helping the side to a 2–1 victory over Solomon Warriors in the final group match of the 2012–13 OFC Champions League, to end what was otherwise a disappointing campaign.[23] However, Dabinyaba did help Hekari to the 2013 National Soccer League title, scoring a goal in the 3–0 victory over FC Port Moresby in the Grand Final.[24][25]

Dabinyaba was retained ahead of the 2014 season,[26] and once again scored in the 2013–14 OFC Champions League campaign, opening the scoring against AS Magenta in the club's second fixture. The side finished bottom of the group, but won another domestic title, with Dabinyaba scoring the opening goal in the 3–0 victory over Lae FC, before the match was abandoned on 70 minutes.[27]

Lae City

Ahead of the 2015 season, Dabinyaba, alongside teammate and fellow Lae local Raymond Gunemba, moved to new side Lae City Dwellers,[28][29] a team more local to him, but Lae lost 3–0 to his former club in their first meeting on 31 January 2015,[10] and again in the reverse fixture in Port Moresby, despite a Dabinyaba goal.[30] However, the club reached the Grand Final where they faced Madang FC, winning 5–1, with Dabinyaba scoring the club's second goal.[31][32]

Dabinyaba was offered a move to New Zealand side Kapiti Coast after the 2015 season, but was unable to make the move due to visa problems.[33]

The 2015–16 season saw Lae City make their continental debut in the 2016 OFC Champions League, and Dabinyaba scored his second continental goal in a 5–4 defeat to Solomon Warriors on 17 April 2016. Domestically, Dabinyaba scored four goals in the club's opening fixture against Goroka Gosiha,[34] Despite coming second behind Hekari United in the race for the Minor Premiership, Lae City defeated Hekari 2–0 in the Grand Final, allowing Dabinyaba to pick up his fifth straight domestic league winner's medal.[35][36]

Overseas contracts

Following his performance at the 2016 OFC Nations Cup, Dabinyaba was signed by Western Pride of the NPL Queensland in Australia on a short-term deal.[37] At the time of his debut, Dabinyaba was the only current full international to play in the league and only the second capped international to play for the club.[38] He made his debut for the club on 6 August 2016, scoring in a victory against Moreton Bay United FC.[39][40] The season ended shortly afterwards, and Dabinyaba returned home.[41]

In September 2016, it was announced that Dabinyaba would be moving to New Zealand to join Canterbury United of the Stirling Sports Premiership.[42] After a long pursuit of the player, he was officially announced in November.[43] He made two league appearances for the club during his short stay.[44]

In December 2016 it was announced that Dabinyaba was trialing with Penang FA of the Malaysia Premier League.[45][46] His signing was announced along with the signings of three other players the following month. Dabinyaba was handed the club's number 10 shirt.[47] Dabinyaba remained with the club for a single season, making 18 appearances and scoring 3 goals.[44]

Return to Lae City

Dabinyaba returned to Toti City Dwellers for the 2018 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League,[48] helping the club to a fourth title and his sixth.[49][50] He also scored three times in the club's 2018 OFC Champions League campaign – twice in the 7–2 victory over Tupapa, and once in a 4–1 defeat to Nalkutan, before the club was resoundingly beaten 11–0 by eventual winners Team Wellington in the quarter-finals.[51]

In May 2018, it was announced that Dabinyaba would join Hamilton Wanderers AFC, a top-flight club in New Zealand.[52] However, he returned to Lae ahead of the new season in Papua New Guinea.[53]

Dabinyaba scored four goals for Lae in their 2019 OFC Champions League campaign, including one in the 1–1 draw with eventual champions Hienghene Sport. The club reached the quarter-finals before losing to Auckland City.[54] Domestically, Dabinyaba scored several goals throughout the 2019 season to help the club to top spot in the Northern Conference, before scoring two in the semi-final against Morobe United[55] and converting his penalty in the Grand Final shoot-out to earn a seventh domestic title for himself.[56]

In October 2019, Dabinyaba joined Solomon Islands club Malaita Kingz on a short-term basis for the second half of the domestic season.[57] He rejoined Lae City following the start of the 2019–20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League.[58][59]

International career

U20s

Dabinyaba made three appearances for the U20s national team at the 2011 OFC U-20 Championship. He played in all three of the nation's group games, scoring twice: once in the 5–1 defeat of American Samoa, and once in the 5–2 defeat to Vanuatu.[60]

U23s

In March 2012, Dabinyaba was part of the national U23s side during qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games. Dabinyaba played in all four of the nation's games, scoring in the 3–0 victory against Tonga.

Senior squad

Dabinyaba was called up to the senior international squad in September 2014 for a friendly against Singapore, but he would not make his competitive debut until the 2016 OFC Nations Cup, with the 1–1 against New Caledonia being his third international cap overall. He scored his first two senior international goals during the 8–0 victory over Samoa, eventually scoring three across the whole tournament.[61] Papua New Guinea went on to be the runners-up after losing on penalties in the final to New Zealand.[62]

In November 2016, Dabinyaba scored his fourth and fifth international goals in friendlies against Iran and Malaysia, the latter game allowing him to pick up his tenth senior cap.[61][63]

Dabinyaba was part of the nation's unsuccessful 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, playing in three of the four fixtures and scoring once, having been suspended for the first game against the Solomon Islands.[64][65][66][67]

Dabinyaba played all five of Papua New Guinea's matches at the 2019 Pacific Games, scoring twice, against Samoa and Tonga.[61][68] Papua New Guinea went on to finish fourth.

Career statistics

As of 7 October 2022
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Papua New Guinea 201410
201695
201731
201952
202213
Total1911
As of 30 September 2022
Scores and results list Papua New Guinea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dabinyaba goal.
List of international goals scored by Nigel Dabinyaba
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 June 2016Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Samoa4–08–02016 OFC Nations Cup
2 7–0
3 8 June 2016Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands2–12–12016 OFC Nations Cup
4 10 November 2016Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia Iran1–21–8Friendly
5 14 November 2016Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia Malaysia1–01–2Friendly
6 23 March 2017Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Tahiti1–01–32018 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 8 July 2019National Soccer Stadium, Apia, Samoa Samoa4–06–02019 Pacific Games
8 18 July 2019National Soccer Stadium, Apia, Samoa Tonga2–08–02019 Pacific Games
9 27 September 2022Luganville Soccer Stadium, Luganville, Vanuatu Fiji1–01–02022 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
10 30 September 2022Luganville Soccer Stadium, Luganville, Vanuatu Vanuatu1–22–22022 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
11 2–2

Honours

Hekari United

Lae City

Papua New Guinea

References

  1. ↑ "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "Dreams come true for Dabinyaba". looppng.com.
  3. ↑ "Dabinyaba excels in new environment". postcourier.com.pg.
  4. ↑ "Dabinyaba happy to be back in Lae fold". postcourier.com.pg.
  5. ↑ "Dabinyaba standing out in Australia". postcourier.com.pg.
  6. ↑ "Dabinyaba happy to be a Dweller". thenational.com.pg.
  7. ↑ "The historical Nigel Dabinyaba's stint in Malaysia". oceaniafootballcenter.org.
  8. ↑ "Nigel Dabinyaba - Majoriti article".
  9. ↑ "DABINYABA TO MAKE HIS OWN STORY".
  10. 1 2 "Reds run riot". The National. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  11. 1 2 3 "GL Morobe keen to keep fire alight after big 5-1 win". The National. 18 January 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  12. ↑ "Thriller in NSL". The National. 21 February 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  13. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2009". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  14. ↑ "Thrilling finish to NSL matches in Lae". The National. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  15. ↑ "Hekari rock". The National. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  16. ↑ "Business as usual for NSL champions". The National. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  17. ↑ "LFA name squads for Besta Cup". The National. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  18. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2010/11". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  19. ↑ "Hekari belt newcomers". The National. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  20. ↑ "Life and death for Hekari". The National. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2011/12". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  22. ↑ "Lae Football Association lord it again". PNGFootball.com.pg. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  23. ↑ "Oceania Football Confederation". 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  24. ↑ "Hekari rule eight title in a row". PNGFootball.com.pg. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  25. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2012/13". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  26. ↑ "Hekari snags Manuca". The National. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  27. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2014". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  28. ↑ "Reds focus on new season". PNGFootball.com.pg. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  29. ↑ "Komolong comes home". The National. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  30. ↑ "Hekari secure minor title, eye another premiership". The National. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  31. ↑ "Lae snares Telikom NSL title". PNGFootball.com.pg. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  32. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2015". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  33. ↑ "Gunemba puts NZ stint on hold". The National. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  34. ↑ "Lae franchises dominate opener". The National. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  35. ↑ "Lae City Dwellers Reign!". Post Courier. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  36. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2015/16". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  37. ↑ "Lae City Dwellers Reign!". Post Courier. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  38. ↑ "Dabinyaba standing out in Australia". PNG Football. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  39. ↑ McKenzie, Garry. "PRIDE SNARE INTERNATIONAL FLAIR IN DABINYABA". Western Pride FC. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  40. ↑ "Dabinyaba standing out in Australia". Post Courier. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  41. ↑ "Sport: PNG football star NZ-bound". RNZ. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  42. ↑ "Sport: PNG football star NZ-bound". RNZ. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  43. ↑ "The Dragons sign Nigel Dabinyaba". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  45. ↑ "The Papua New Guinea striker Nigel Dabinyaba was at training". Penang FA Unofficial. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  46. ↑ "Young Canterbury footballer Aaron Spain on Papua New Guinea radar". Stuff. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  47. ↑ Velloo, Loganath. "Penang want Puskas Award winner to concentrate on football". The Star. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  48. ↑ "Dwellers confident of successful 2018". Post Courier. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  49. ↑ "Papua New Guinea 2018". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  50. ↑ "City hammer United to claim 3rd title". The National. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  51. ↑ "Match". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  52. ↑ "Overseas bound!". Post Courier. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  53. ↑ "City coach Gunemba says recruiting talent 'always a challenge'". Post Courier. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  54. ↑ "Toti City knocked out of OFC Champions". Post Courier. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  55. ↑ "Triumphant City commend Morobe United". The National. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  56. ↑ "City retain title". The National. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  57. ↑ "Nigel Dabinyaba joins Malaita Kingz in Telekom S-League". Oceania Football Center. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  58. ↑ "Emmanuel Simon and Nigel Dabinyaba set to leave Malaita Kings". Oceania Football Center. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  59. ↑ "Simon and Dabinyaba finally back to Papua New Guinea". Oceania Football Center. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  60. ↑ "PNG crashes out of tourney". The National. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  61. 1 2 3 "Nigel Dabinyaba". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  62. ↑ "All Whites win in penalty shootout". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  63. ↑ "Kapuls suffer heavy defeat to Iran". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  64. ↑ "Tahiti beats PNG 3-1". Post Courier. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  65. ↑ "PNG in seventh heaven". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  66. ↑ "Sport: PNG, Solomon Islands playing to keep World Cup hopes alive". RNZ. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  67. ↑ "PNG lose 2-1". Post Courier. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  68. ↑ "Footballers begin with strong wins". The National. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
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