Ali Mekawir

Ali Mekawir (born 27 July 2000) is a Solomon Islands professional footballer who currently plays for Navua F.C. in Fiji and the Solomon Islands national team.

Club career In his early career Mekawir played with Hana and Marist. In 2019 he joined Western United. Later that year he was one of three Solomon Islands footballers to join a club in England after attending the local Stars Football Academy. With Langney Wanderers of the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division, Mekawir scored against Tower Hamlets in the 2020–21 FA Cup to become the first-ever Solomon Islands player to score in the tournament. Later that month he went on to score against Eastbourne United in the 2020–21 FA Vase. He scored a total of five goals in eleven league appearances that season.

In January 2021 Mekawir returned to the Solomon Islands and joined Telekom S-League debutantes Honiara City. He debuted for the club on 24 January 2021, scoring a goal in the eventual draw with league leaders Henderson Eels. He went on to be one of the top scorers in the league that season. The following season he moved to Waneagu United.

In April 2022 it was confirmed that Mekawir had signed with Adelaide City of the NPL South Australia.

International Mekawir represented the Solmon Islands in the 2017 OFC U-17 Championship. He scored a hattrick in the Solomon's 12–0 victory over Samoa. The following year he was called up again for the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship. The team advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated by Tahiti. Mekawir scored his side's only goal in the 1–3 defeat.

In March 2022 Mekawir was included in the Solomon Islands senior squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. In preparation for the tournament the Solomon Islands held a training camp in Australia and played local club sides. Mekawir scored against two-time National Premier Leagues Queensland side Lions FC in the final match before departing for Qatar. He went on to make his senior international debut on 17 March 2022 in the opening match against the Cook Islands.

International career statistics As of match played 30 March 2022