It’s not an honour he held alone after a late run from Wacaélé Kevin Nemia saw him equal Kela’s tally.
However for the 28-year-old it was an opportunity to make his mark on a domestic scene that is rife with talent, including the impressive Bertrand Kai.
“He has an abnormal speed and he always has the right tempo,” notes one of Kela’s coaches Manu Hemelsdael.
“It’s ingrained in him. With his qualities he can take on any defence.”
Previously relegated to the right wing, Kela forced his way into the central role at the expense of teammate Faby Demene and hasn’t looked back.
His influence hasn’t been restricted to his abilities on the field either, with the striker also earning the captain’s armband this season.
“I try to do my best, to lead by example and to work with my teammates,” Kela says.
“I’m here to pass on the coaches’ messages, notably to the youngest members of the team. But it’s true that I was quite surprised when I learned I’d be captain.”
With a team he considers his “family”, Kela has been involved in the club since late in the late 2000s, he was there when the side was promoted to the Super Ligue in 2012.
But it wasn’t the Ouvea native’s first club.
His original stomping ground was with Inter Bunaca, on “l’île la plus proche du Paradis”. Kela headed to Noumea where he joined AS Mouli, a club where many players originating from Ouvea end up, for the 2007/08 seasons.
However it was with Wetr that Kela discovered the structured football he was looking for.
“Some cousins took me to a training and I integrated very quickly. I learnt so many things and improved tactically and physically,” he recalls.
It was obviously the right decision to stick with it as the 2015 Super Ligue top-scorer found himself included in Thierry Sardo’s 40-strong squad where he’ll be fighting for a place alongside 2011 OFC Player of the Year Kai.
“He’s more complete than me,” Kela says, “but I will work hard to obtain his level”.
Dedicated to mastering his talent, Kela has been known to join Wetr’s reserve team when he gets downtime from first team duty, just to keep on top of his game.
“When we don’t play on Saturday with Wetr I like going and joining in with the reserves,” hesays.
“It’s good for the training and I also do it because I’m passionate.”
For more on New Caledonia football visit www.fedcalfoot.com
Additional reporting via Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes www.lnc.nc