There will be a degree of familiarity between New Zealand’s Auckland United FC and Papua New Guinea’s Hekari Women FC, when they meet in the final of the OFC Women’s Champions League for the third year in a row on Friday evening at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The pair have dominated the competition since its establishment in 2023 and having met each other in the decider in 2024 and 2025, will again lock horns in 2026 for the right to be crowned continental champions.
Both previous finals have gone the way of Auckland United by identical 1-0 scorelines, but Hekari will be hoping to make it third time lucky, having also finished runners-up in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2023,
Also, up for grabs for the winner on Friday is a place in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™, a prestigious annual tournament between the six champions of each confederation. Auckland United represented OFC at the tournament last year, and are now just a win away from returning in 2026.
Route to the final
Placed in the smaller three-team section of the draw, Auckland United FC made easy work of Group B and have had the more straightforward route to the final, scoring 18 goals in huge 11-1 and 7-0 wins over Drehu Athletico Club and Puaikura FC.
They were made to work harder by Tafea FC in their semi-final, though, back-to-back second half goals from Charley March and Olivia Ingham securing a 2-1 win, as they held off a late fightback from the Vanuatu club.
Meanwhile, Hekari Women FC’s route hasn’t been as easy, stuttering on the opening matchday and drawing 2-2 with Tafea FC. The PNG representatives found their groove though, coming from behind to defeat Ba Women FC 3-1, and thrash host club Henderson Eels FC 9-1 to secure top spot in Group A.
They dominated their semi-final with Puaikura FC, but had to wait 86 minutes for the breakthrough, Nenny Elipas scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win.
Tale of the Tape
As mentioned, Auckland United and Hekari Women have met twice before in the final of the OFC Women’s Champions League, including already once previously at the venue for this year’s decider – the National Stadium in Honiara.
On that occasion in 2024, Bree Johnson scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute as Auckland United held aloft the trophy for the first time.
It was a repeat last year in 2025, Danielle Canham notching the only goal in the 26th minute in an identical 1-0 win for the New Zealand club in Tahiti.
Both previous finals have been tight, and everything suggests the 2026 final will be another tight arm wrestle between the two clubs.
Key Players
Sasha Adamson (Auckland United FC)
Joining this season from Fulham FC Women in England, Sasha Adamson is a key playmaker going forward for Auckland United FC. The Englishwoman has scored four goals in three matches at OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 so far, both doubles against Drehu Athletico Club and Puaikura FC in the group stage.
She started on the bench against Tafea FC in the semi-final, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if coach Jo Dawkins re-injected her back into the starting eleven for the big dance, given her goal-scoring form and overseas experience.
Maria Veronika (Hekari Women FC)
A survivor of Hekari Women FC’s defeat to Auckland in the final last year, Fijian international Maria Veronika has impressed up top in their 2026 campaign.
She’s scored three goals in four games at the tournament so far, including a double in Hekari’s big 9-1 win over Henderson Eels FC in the group stage. She was unfortunate not to score against Puaikura in the semi-final but is someone Auckland United’s defensive line will have to watch for as they look to complete a third clean sheet in the final.
Coaches Comments
Ahead of the final on Friday at the National Stadium, Auckland United FC coach Jo Dawkins and Hekari Women FC coach Ericsson Komeng met to give their thoughts on the decider.
Auckland United FC coach Jo Dawkins said:
“This is a huge occasion for us to be playing in a third consecutive final, and is what we came here to achieve. We don’t need anymore motivation to play what will be a very strong Hekari team in a few days time.”
“We’ve got seven players who were here with us when we won the title in the Solomon Islands in 2024, and a further 12 who were with us last year. That experience pays huge divdends, not just on the field, but off the field.”
“Ericsson 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. They’re experienced, they know what they’re doing, and they’re getting better every year.”
Hekari Women FC coach Ericsson Komeng said:
“I think we have to focus on ourselves. They are a champion team and we’ll have to be at our best.”
“It’s been a rough journey to get here. 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.”
Fixture Details:
Auckland United FC v Hekari Women FC | Friday 10th July | National Stadium, Honiara | 6pm local time | WATCH HERE