Hekari Prime for OFC Women’s Champions League

The Queens of Women’s Conference Soccer League (WCSL) competition in PNG, Hekari United FC, have prepared for over two months in anticipation of the 2025 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women’s Champions League scheduled from May 4-17 in Tahiti.

In their quest to fight for the OFC women’s championship, the back-to-back WCSL reigning champions (2023-2024) left the shores of Papua New Guinea for Tahiti yesterday (April 29). 

This will be Hekari’s third appearance in the women’s O-League tournament after finishing twice as runners-up in the previous championships (2023-2024) hosted in Port Moresby and Honiara, respectively. They’ve felt short of winning the championship twice, but the third time might be a charm for the formidable Reds. 

Going fresh again to fancy their chances for the coveted championship trophy, the resurgent MRDC-sponsored girls are eager to make their presence known this time. 

Coach Erick Komeng admitted that though it would be a huge challenge for Hekari to bid for the regional glory, the girls remained optimistic, fresh, and enthusiastic to claim their maiden OFC title. 

“We are in a tough pool, but we are ready to face the three clubs, keeping in mind that each of them are champions in their respective countries,” Komeng said.

“We just have to work hard. We’ve gained valuable experience from the last two tournaments, and we are looking forward to a strong campaign this time.”

Just like Hekari, the defending OFC Women’s Champions (Auckland United FC) and six other premiers of their respective countries are setting their sights on battling for supremacy.

The winners of this year’s women’s O-League will qualify for the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and also, have a chance to compete in the first-ever FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028.

Hekari are drawn into Pool B alongside the current champions - Auckland United FC, American Samoa’s Pansa, and Tahiti’s AS Pirae - while Pool B features Fiji’s Ba FC, Vanuatu’s Penama Tigers FC, Solomon Islands' Henderson Eels FC, and Cook Islands’ Tupapa Maraerenga FC.

The Erick Komeng-coached outfit (Hekari United FC) will meet American Samoa’s Pansa FC in their opening fixture next Monday, May 5th. They will then face Auckland United FC on Thursday (May 8), and conclude their Pool B games against Tahiti’s AS Pirae on Sunday (May 11), with the finals slated from May 14-17.