Fourth shot at history: Hekari out to end Auckland’s reign in the Women's OFC final

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Hekari Women FC are one win away from ending years of heartbreak as they prepare to face Auckland United while carrying the hopes of the Pacific islands into Friday’s Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women’s Champions League final in Honiara.

The PNG champions will meet the New Zealand club for the third straight final, having fallen 1-0 in both the 2024 and 2025 deciders.

Hekari also finished runners-up in the inaugural tournament in 2023, making this their fourth attempt to claim Oceania’s biggest club prize in women’s football.

Despite the painful record, head coach Ericson Komeng believes his side is ready to finally turn the tables.

“I think we have to focus on ourselves. They are a champion team and we’ll have to be at our best,” Komeng told OFC Media.

Hekari booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cook Islands champions Puaikura FC in the semi-finals.

“It’s been a rough journey to get here,” Komeng said. “We’ve played well since we’ve arrived here in the Solomon Islands though, and we’re looking forward to the final.

“Experience is key to our team. If we use that, we can give Auckland United some problems.”

Auckland United, chasing a third consecutive title, also had to work for their place after overcoming a determined challenge from Vanuatu's Tafea FC.

Action between PNG Hekari FC and Cook Islands Puaikura FC in the OFC Women’s Champions League.

The defending champions struggled to break down Tafea's disciplined defence before finding the goal that sent them back into another final.

Auckland head coach Jo Dawkins expects another tough contest against a Hekari side that continues to improve.

“Ericson and a lot of the Hekari team were part of the Papua New Guinea national team that pushed the Football Ferns to the wire in World Cup qualifying earlier this year,” Dawkins told OFC Media.

“They’re experienced, they know what they’re doing, and they’re getting better every year.”

The rivalry between Auckland and Hekari has become the defining fixture of the OFC Women's Champions League, with both sides contesting every final since the competition began in 2023.

For Auckland United, another win would seal a third straight title.

For Hekari, it would end three years of heartbreak, bring the trophy to Papua New Guinea for the first time and give the Pacific islands a new continental champion.

Kick-off is at 7pm (NZT). For more information on the 2026 OFC Women’s Champions league, click here.