Extra Bula FC head coach Stéphane Auvray says recent wins in Round Four of the OFC Pro League have strengthened his squad’s confidence but will not derail a long-term plan focused on incremental development. The coach insisted the team’s priority remains improving how they play rather than simply accumulating points as the club turns its attention to Round Five, which it hopes to host in Fiji.
“We’re really building something long term, it’s always good to win. It validates the work of the players,” Auvray said, acknowledging the emotional lift from consecutive positive results. He stressed, however, that the victories are a barometer of progress rather than an end point. “We are not that hooked on points and results. We’re really looking at what we produce and what we have to do better.”
The comments mark the latest development in a season that has already seen the fledgling side experience highs and lows. Earlier in the campaign Bula secured their first OFC Pro League victory — a 1-0 win over Solomon Kings in Port Moresby — a result captain Roy Krishna said at the time required follow-up focus rather than celebration. The squad also endured a 2-0 setback in which defender Semi Nabenu lamented missed chances and lapses in transition defence, lessons Auvray says are being woven into training.
With Round Five scheduled to be played in Fiji, Auvray highlighted the significance of returning to home surroundings. Hosting the next round would allow Bula to play in front of local supporters and maintain momentum on familiar turf — an opportunity the coach believes will help with both team morale and long-term player development. He framed home fixtures as a stage for continued growth rather than a quick route to higher league standings.
Auvray was candid that the squad still faces substantial work to reach the standards he envisages. “We’re happy with the emotions from the win, but we’re also conscious that there’s a lot of work ahead,” he said, underlining that technical refinement and consistent performances remain priorities over short-term reward chasing. That approach includes using matches to test ideas and bring younger players through in a structured way, he added.
As Bula prepares to host Round Five, the coaching staff appear intent on balancing competitive expectations with a patient building process. The recent run of results has provided a platform; Auvray’s message to players and supporters is that validation comes through sustained improvement, not a handful of favorable results. How that philosophy translates into selection and style on home soil will be watched closely by local fans and OFC Pro League rivals alike.
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