Hekari Women’s Team defend WNCSL Title

The Hekari United FC women’s team retained their title after belting the Lae City Dwellers with a 6-3 win in the Women’s National Conference Soccer League Grand Final on Saturday, 13th December 2025, at Port Moresby’s PNG Football Stadium.

Hekari proved their mettle in the entire 90-minute proceedings, though the Dwellers asked the reigning champions questions and pushed them to their limit. 

The title holders opened up the match within 15 minutes of the physical contest, with inspirational captain and goal-scoring ace Marie Kaipu netting the first goal. 

Moments later, Dwellers’ threatening forward Keren Kalapai responded with an equalizer, and Hekari hit back through Ramona Padio, taking a 2-1 lead at half-time. 

The Red Army girls upped their attacking tempo in the second half as Calista Maneo and Marie Kaipu added two goals, increasing Hekari’s lead to 4-1. 

Dwellers’ first-half solo goal scorer Keren Kalapai returned the favor with her second goal a few minutes later, reducing the deficit to 4-2. 

Substitute player Michaelyn Butubu was injected on the pitch, and she wasted no time to bag Hekari’s 5th goal. 

As the minutes wore down, the Dwellers answered back through skipper Honoriah Kaizam, and Marie Kaipu registered her hat-trick, ending the game with a thrilling 6-3 scoreline. 

Hekari women’s coach Erickson Komeng was pleased with the win, but admitted that the girls struggled a bit in the first half and came to their own in the second half to ice the game.

“We knew the Lae City Dwellers would come and play strong,” he said.  

“We were struggling to execute our game plan in the first few minutes, but the girls managed to score two goals and put us on the front foot.

“We came back in the second half and did what we were supposed to do, and that got us through, so I’m happy.”

Komeng added that the girls would have a break and go through recovery, and resume training in January to prepare for the OFC Women’s Champions League and World Cup Qualifiers.  

The Hekari United FC women’s team claimed their fourth consecutive WNCSL title (2022-2025), cementing their status as the ‘Queens’ of PNG football. 

Meanwhile, the Hekari Football Academy defeated the Bernice FC to secure the U18 Women's National Youth Soccer League title.