Team leaders set the tone ahead of highly anticipated OFC Women’s clash in the capital
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
The stage is set for another major chapter in Pacific women’s football, with all seven teams ready for the OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 which kicks off in Honiara this Saturday.
Coaches and captains from the participating clubs gathered yesterday for the official pre-tournament media conference at the National Stadium, outlining their ambitions, challenges and expectations ahead of the regional competition.
The tournament brings together champions and leading representatives from across Oceania, with defending champions Auckland United FC, Drehu Athletico FC, Hekari Women FC, Ba Women FC, Tafea FC, Puaikura FC and Solomon Islands host Henderson Eels FC competing for regional honours.
For defending champions Auckland United, the return to Honiara brings back memories of their historic triumph, but coach Jo Dawkins said the team is focused on the challenge ahead rather than past success.
“Representing OFC at the Champions Cup was a huge privilege,” Dawkins said.
“It was an amazing experience for us. We feel really competitive.”
Auckland United recently represented Oceania at the international level and pushed Asian champions Wuhan Jianghan University before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat in the closing stages.
Dawkins said that experience has helped prepare the team tactically and mentally for another demanding regional campaign.
“We learnt a lot. A lot of our players from that experience are with us now. They’ll take that experience with them into what will be another really tough competition here in Honiara.”
Despite arriving as defending champions, Dawkins believes the competition across the region has improved significantly.
“I think the gap that might have existed a couple of years ago doesn’t exist anymore,” she said.
“For us, it’s one game at a time. We’ve got a group stage. We’ve got an opening match on Saturday, which we’re fully focused on.”
Dawkins said the growth of women’s football throughout Oceania is reflected by the quality of teams competing this year.
“All of the teams here have national team players, which is amazing. The strength of football in the Pacific region is getting better and better.”
Meanwhile, teams arriving with different levels of experience are embracing the opportunity to compete on the regional stage.
New Caledonia’s Drehu Athletico FC will make its first appearance in the OFC Women’s Champions League after winning its domestic competition, with Coach Damien Waxuie describing the tournament as an opportunity for his players to grow.
“It’s a first time for us. Locally, we have already proven ourselves,” Waxuie said through translation.
“We come here with humility to grow. We will approach the matches one by one and hope to get out of these pools.”
Fiji’s Ba Women FC returns with motivation after reaching the semi-finals last year, with Coach Charlene Lockington saying the team wants to approach this tournament with a fresh mindset.
“We won’t look back at the past, about our achievements of the past for 2026,” Lockington said.
“We really would like to start fresh, remain humble, and congratulate the women in Oceania for the incredible growth that we’ve had.”
Papua New Guinea’s Hekari Women FC, one of the region’s most experienced women’s clubs, also highlighted the importance of staying focused despite the growing opportunities in women’s football.
Coach Erickson Komeng said the team’s priority remains performing in the tournament ahead.
“Our focus will be on this tournament,” Komeng said.
“Some of the best clubs in the Pacific are here, so we have to focus on ourselves.”
For Henderson Eels, hosting the tournament brings both pride and responsibility.
“As host, it’s a privilege and an honour as well,” Henderson Eels coach Godfrey Manehioha said.
“At the same time, it’s also a challenge for us as a host representing the country.”
Manehioha said the competition continues to play an important role in raising the standard of women’s football across Oceania.
“The OFC Women’s Champions League is most definitely contributing to the development of women’s football within Oceania.”
The tournament officially begins on Saturday 27 June with the group stage, featuring matches at the National Stadium and Lawson Tama Stadium.
The opening fixtures will see defending champions Auckland United FC face Drehu Athletico FC, while Hekari Women FC meets Ba Women FC and Tafea FC takes on Henderson Eels FC.
The competition will continue through the group stage before moving into the knockout rounds, with the semi-finals scheduled for 7 July and the final set for 10 July.
The OFC Women’s Champions League is Oceania’s premier women’s club football competition, bringing together the best-performing clubs from OFC member associations. The 2026 edition is being hosted in Solomon Islands, with Honiara serving as the stage for seven teams competing for regional supremacy and the chance to make history in Pacific football.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
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