Lae Snax Tigers raring to meet Vusu Raiders in the Melanesian Club Championship

The Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup reigning premiers, Lae Snax Tigers, will meet Fiji’s Vodafone Cup champions, Vusu Raiders, in the Melanesian Club Championship on Saturday, 1st November 2025, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

The Melanesian Club Championship between the Lae Snax Tigers and Vusu Raiders will serve as a curtain-raiser match for the Pacific Bowl Championship decider, featuring the PNG Kumuls and Fiji Bati.

The tournament was created in 2015 to provide an annual and high-quality international club-level competition between PNG and Fiji, serving as a motivational drive for the national franchises and clubs in both countries. 

The inaugural championship was hosted in Port Moresby at the Sir John Guise Stadium in 2015, which saw the Agmark ENB Gurias being crowned the champions after thrashing the Sabeto Roosters with a 40-2 victory. 

After the Gurias claimed the Melanesian Club Championship crown in 2015, the Lae Snax Tigers took over the reign in 2016 and defended the title in 2017 and 2019, solidifying their status as ‘Kings’ of the Melanesian Cup.

Last year, the 2023 DEM Cup premiers, NPL Enga Mioks, won the Melanesian Cup in Suva following their commanding 40-16 win over Fiji’s Vodafone Cup champions, Saru Dragons. 

Since the inception of the Melanesian Club Championship in 2015 until last year, the PNG teams have dominated the Fijian teams, with the Tigers claiming the title three times, while the Gurias and Mioks won it once. 

Tigers, after eight years of not competing in the annual championship clash, are in the prime position to reclaim the tournament, with coach Noel Zeming giving a rundown on the team’s preparations.

“We started our training last weekend. The team preparation has been good. We had light training this week, focusing on combination and team structure,” Zeming said.

“We have to complete our sets, have a good kicking game on the edges, and work hard on our defense, trying to suffocate them with the ball and have as much possession as we can.   

“There’s one or two minor injuries, but everybody looks fit and healthy. We are looking forward to playing on Saturday.”

Coach Zeming added that though they respected the Fijians (Vusu Raiders), his men are ready for the challenge and hope to clinch their fourth championship.

“It’s very important for us to win this tournament. After winning the DEM Cup, we want to top it off by winning the Melanesian Club Championship,” he said.

“We have a good record against the Fijian teams over the years, so our focus this weekend is to maintain our clean record.” 

Mr. Zeming won his maiden premiership with the Tigers this year, and he anticipates winning his first Melanesian Club Championship when the Lae Snax-sponsored Tigers face off against Fiji's Vusu Raiders.