Eels eye bigger breakthrough on home soil
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
With just eight days remaining before the kickoff of the OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 in Honiara, Solomon Islands champions Henderson Eels FC are confident to build on last year’s historic campaign and making an even stronger impact on home soil.
The Eels head into the region’s premier women’s club competition buoyed by improved preparations and the experience gained from two previous appearances at the continental tournament.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Henderson Eels head coach Godfrey Maneihioha said the team is in a much better position compared to previous years.
“This year is a little bit kind to us.
“For the 2024 and 2025 editions, we went straight into the OFC Women’s Champions League without any competitive matches for five to six months. This year, despite the cyclone and weather disruptions, we managed to train for eight weeks before our domestic league started and by the time the tournament begins, we’ll have played six competitive league matches,” Maneihioha said.
He said the additional preparation time and match exposure have allowed the coaching staff to identify areas requiring improvement.
“That has been excellent for us in terms of seeing where we need to improve. Overall, our preparations have been good,” he said.
The Solomon Islands champions return to the tournament after making history in Tahiti last year by becoming the first women’s club from the country to reach the semi-finals of the OFC Women’s Champions League.
That achievement marked another milestone in the club’s steady rise on the regional stage since making their tournament debut in Honiara in 2024.
Drawn in a challenging Group A alongside Papua New Guinea powerhouse Hekari Women FC, Vanuatu’s Tafea FC and Fiji’s Ba Women FC, the Eels know they will need to produce consistent performances to progress beyond the group stage.
Maneihioha said the team’s objective is clear.
“The main focus this year is to improve from 2025.
“We want to be more cohesive as a unit, more organised, and more aggressive and competitive. Overall, we want to do the basics right, stay calm and remain focused,” he said.
Leading the charge for Henderson Eels will be Solomon Islands women’s national team captain and prolific striker Ileen Pegi, who brings valuable experience from previous regional campaigns.
The squad also includes experienced campaigners Edith Nari and Dealyn Kali, while most members of the team will be appearing in their third OFC Women’s Champions League tournament.
However, the Eels will be without influential midfielder Madeline Arukau, who is continuing her recovery from a fractured collarbone.
“We will definitely miss Madeline’s contribution and how we want to play,”
“Besides that, we have Ileen Pegi, who has participated in two previous OFC Women’s Champions League championships, and players like Edith Nari and Dealyn Kali. The majority of this team will be taking part in their third tournament, so the discussions have been about doing their best and using that experience in the competition,” Maneihioha said.
With home support expected to play a major role throughout the tournament, Henderson Eels will carry not only their club ambitions but also the hopes of local football fans eager to see a Solomon Islands side challenge for regional honours.
The Eels will open their OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 campaign against Fiji’s Ba Women FC on June 27 at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Henderson Eels FC are the reigning Solomon Islands women’s club champions and have become one of the country’s leading representatives in regional football.
The club made its OFC Women’s Champions League debut in 2024 and created history in 2025 by becoming the first Solomon Islands women’s club to reach the competition’s semi-finals. The OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 will be hosted in Honiara from June 27 to July 5.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
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