PNG Hekari FC Ramp Up Preparations for OFC Pro League

The PNG Hekari FC held its first press conference yesterday (13th October) at Papua New Football Association (PNGFA) headquarters in Port Moresby to highlight the club’s preparations ahead of the 2026 OFC Professional League, which kicks off in January.

Hekari will represent PNG and compete against seven other countries in the inaugural Oceania Football Confederation Professional League in 2026 after its successful bid earlier this year.

Having a goal of being competitive, the club has recruited six international players, with three of the footballers coming in from Brazil and a player each from Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. 

The bulk of the players were scouted from the clubs taking part in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) competition, including Hekari United FC itself, Lae City Dwellers, United Highlands FC, and Admiralty FC. 

Hekari United FC, a name that is used in the domestic competition, which is the Premier Soccer League (PSL), has rebranded its name to PNG Hekari FC to participate in the Pro League. 

PNG Hekari FC General Manager Wira Wama stressed that they had fielded a strong side, giving a rundown on the team’s status, with two months to prepare the players before the OFC Pro League commences. 

“It’s a big transition for us. Most of our senior players are now moving into the camp in preparation for the inaugural OFC Pro League,” Wama said. 

“In our technical plan for four years, we want to see not only players progressing into the pro league, but we also have a base. We are working hard to develop our academies and produce players into the PSL competition, including the pro league.   

“Our aim is to compete and be in the top four in the OFC Pro League. It’s a big challenge for us as an amateur club to be in the professional league, but we are looking forward to it.”

Mr. Wama acknowledged the local Premier Soccer League clubs for releasing their players to become part of the PNG Hekari FC in the 2026 OFC Pro League, including the technical people, for developing and mentoring emerging talents in Hekari’s academies, mainly in Port Moresby, Vanimo, and Rabaul.   

He also thanked MRDC, Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK), and Kutubu Security Service for backing the team, including PNGFA’s support, and everyone involved in the process of making Hekari PNG’s dream become a reality. 

PNG Hekari FC Director, Vonnie Kapi Natto, added: “The transition has affected Hekari United FC’s performance in the PSL, but on the other hand, I’m very excited to see that because it’s good for our country. 

“For me, it’s a great joy. We have worked very, very hard for 23 years to make sure that we have a team. We did not know that we will reach the professional league, so we are excited and looking forward to next year.”

Mrs. Natto said there were a lot of criticisms being thrown at the club over the years, but they put their heads down and worked hard to develop the club, which has finally culminated in the birth of the pro league.

Talisman and Hekari junior, Raymond Gunemba, was recruited from Lae City Dwellers, along with other promising talents in the domestic PSL competition, including six overseas players, putting Hekari in a prime position to be competitive.

In addition, PNG Hekari FC has met FIFA’s requirement of recruiting six international players and blending the overseas exports with the local talents to contend for the inaugural OFC Pro League title. 

Brazil's Marco Gumabao will coach PNG Hekari FC and assisted by Jerry Allen from the Solomon Islands, who is the current coach for Hekari United FC in the PSL.

Coach Gumabao has confidence in the team that they have assembled, encouraging the players to see themselves as forces to be reckoned with, similar to New Zealand, Australia, and other countries that will be participating in the OFC Pro League.

“I bring a new approach for PNG Hekari FC with a new mentality – a winning mentality,” the Brazilian coach said. 

“I think this time, with this OFC Pro League, we don’t want them (players) to fear Australian or New Zealand clubs. We are at the same level with them because we are now a professional club, and no longer an amateur club.

“We have a good team. With three players from Brazil, they have experience, which can be helpful to Hekari. I hope Hekari becomes big in Oceania Football and other countries can look inside PNG because we expose our players.”

Meanwhile, PNG Hekari FC started its first training session at PNG Football Stadium yesterday evening. With only two months to prepare, the club has no time to waste and is already hitting the ground running in preparation for the 2026 OFC Pro League in January.