Hekari Annihilate American Samoa in OFC Women’s Championship Opener

The Hekari United FC made a statement on the opening day of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women’s Champions League yesterday (May 6th) following their decisive 12-0 win over American Samoa’s PanSa in Tahiti.

Being the runners-up of the women’s O-League twice (2023 & 2024), Hekari used their experience and blew the American Samoan girls off the park, who are the newcomers in the OFC championship.

Hekari went firing on all cylinders in the first 45 minutes of play. The eventual player of the match Ramona Padio opened the proceedings with the first goal, followed by skipper Marie Kaipu's quartet, backed by a goal each from Calista Maneo and Michaelyn Butubu, taking a 7-lead at the break. The merciless Reds added 5 goals in the second half, sealing the deal with a 12-0 win.

Pitch general Ramona Padio kicked started the goal-scoring onslaught, bagging a treble and scooping the player of the match, followed by prolific goal scorer Marie Kaipu’s 5 goals, while Calista Maneo, Michaelyn Butubu, Adi Litia Bakaniceva, and Nenny Elipas scored a goal each.

The goals came raining down for the high-flying Erick Komeng-coached girls when they hit their straps running, keeping the youthful PanSa side backpaddling and gasping for air to contain Hekari’s ominous attack.

Coach Erick Komeng was pleased with the resounding win but admitted that they are yet to face worthy opponents in the likes of Auckland United FC, and Tahiti’s AS Pirae, noting there’s still room for improvement.   

This crucial victory against American Samoa’s PanSa puts the MRDC-sponsored team (Hekari United FC) in good stead as they anticipate meeting the current OFC women’s champions, the Auckland United FC, on Thursday, May 8th.

PC: OFC Media