Ba Women FC have made an impressive start to their OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 campaign, defeating 10-man Henderson Eels FC 6-0 in Group A at the National Stadium in Honiara.
The Fijian side scored thrice in either half, capitalising on a first half red card for their opponents for their biggest win at an OFC Women’s Champions League.
Both were semi-finalists in 2025, but it was Ba Women who took the initiative from the start and dominated proceedings throughout. Their early pressure was rewarded when Adi Reva headed the Fijian side into the lead in the 13th minute, leaping highest to meet a corner delivery and nod it into the top-left corner.
The Eels looked shellshocked and struggled to get out of their own half, spending much of the contest defending. They were also continually exposed aerially and gave away a penalty when Veronica Tolivaka handled the ball from a corner delivery to the back post. Ba Women captain Luisa Tamanitoakula duly converted in the 24th minute, stepping up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Koleta Likuculacula added the third goal four minutes later, receiving the ball on the left wing, before cutting inside and poking the ball past Henderson Eels goalkeeper Serah Alpefolocia at the end of an impressive individual run.
It only got worse for the home side when Tolivaka, who had given away the penalty, was shown a red card moments before half-time for committing a foul as the last defender. Henderson Eels would have to play with ten for the remainder.
Ba Women continued to dictate after the interval and extended their advantage with a fourth goal in the 59th minute. Narieta Leba showed her pace to latch onto a direct ball in-behind, before rounding the goalkeeper to apply the finish.
It took until the 82nd minute for them to pierce the net again, Elesi Tabunase adding the fifth with a cool finish into the bottom-left corner, after being played into the penalty box by some nice link-up play from Likuculacula.
Likucula then scored her second and Ba’s final goal of the night in the 89th minute, pouncing on a delivery into the box that the goalkeeper fumbled.
Ba Women FC jump to the top of Group A after the first matchday with three points. They take on Hekari Women FC next, whilst Henderson Eels FC will look to rebound against Tafea FC, with both games to be played on Wednesday.
Ba Women FC: 6 (Adi REVA 13’, Luisa TAMANITOAKULA (p) 24’, Koleta LIKUCULACULA 28’, 89′, Narieta LEBA 59’, Elesi TABUNASE 82’)
Henderson Eels FC: 0
HT: 3-0
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek