BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Hosting the OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 presents both pride and pressure for Henderson Eels FC, with the Solomon Islands representatives determined to make the most of their opportunity on home soil.
Competing among seven teams from across Oceania, Henderson Eels coach Godfrey Manehioha said representing the country comes with a special responsibility.
“As host, it’s a privilege and an honour as well,” Manehioha said during yesterday’s pre-tournament media conference in Honiara.
“To see all these fellow coaches and team captains come over and play on home soil.”
But while the occasion is a proud moment for the club and Solomon Islands football, Manehioha acknowledges the challenge ahead as Henderson Eels prepare to face some of the region’s strongest women’s teams.
“At the same time, it’s also a challenge for us as a host representing the country,” he said.
“Our aim now is to do well, take each game as it comes and hopefully we’ll go from there.”
Henderson Eels enter the tournament with valuable experience after participating in the OFC Women’s Champions League since its introduction, including campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
Manehioha believes that experience will be important as the team looks to compete against more established clubs from around the Pacific.
“In terms of strength, we have some experienced players, like our captain,” he said.
“What we’ll be counting on now is to use our experience within the competition.”
“We first participated in 2024, and again last year in 2025 in Tahiti. My main message to the girls is to use their experience within the competition. Hopefully that will help us.”
The Henderson Eels coach also believes the continued growth of the OFC Women’s Champions League is helping raise the standard of women’s football throughout Oceania.
“I think it’s one of the best things that has happened to women’s football within the region, Oceania to be exact,” Manehioha said.
“As my fellow coaches would agree, it has definitely contributed to the development of the women’s game.”
Manehioha said the impact of the competition can already be seen among clubs that continue to participate.
“Looking back, since Henderson Eels started participating in the competition in 2024, every club that continues to participate in the competition definitely their standard is going up.”
“Without a doubt, the OFC Women’s Champions League is most definitely contributing to the development of women’s football within Oceania.”
With Honiara now hosting the region’s best women’s clubs, Henderson Eels will look to combine home support, tournament experience and national pride as they begin their campaign.
The Solomon Islands side will open their tournament against Vanuatu’s Tafea FC on Wednesday 1 July at the National Stadium.
The OFC Women’s Champions League is Oceania’s premier women’s club football competition, featuring champions and leading representatives from OFC member associations. The 2026 edition is being hosted in Solomon Islands from 27 June to 10 July, with Henderson Eels representing the host nation alongside clubs from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Cook Islands.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
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