A hat-trick from captain Leimata Simon has propelled Tafea FC to a convincing 6-0 victory over Henderson Eels FC in Group A at OFC Women’s Champions League 2026.
Simon scored both first half goals, and then added another in the second, becoming the first player representing a Vanuatu club to score a hat-trick in the competition’s history, and helping Tafea to their biggest OFC Women’s Champions League win.
Semi-finalists in 2025, Henderson Eels were disappointing in a 0-6 defeat to Ba Women FC in their tournament opener and struggled again here against a Tafea side who had drawn 2-2 with three-time runners-up Hekari Women on the first matchday. The defeat means the tournament hosts have been eliminated from OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 with a match to spare.
Tafea dictated the contest from the off, controlling possession and keeping the hosts pinned inside their own half for long stages.
It took just eight minutes for the breakthrough, captain Leimata Simon heading the ball past goalkeeper Betty Sade after being played in-behind by a beautiful delivery over the top of the Eels defence from Jane Alatoa.
Simon struck the crossbar from a similar position moments later, whilst Charlotte Vuti also forced a save out of Sade, as Tafea remained on the front foot.
Using Madeline Arakau and captain Ileen Pegi, the Eels made more of an effort to push forward and keep possession after a difficult opening quarter. Still, they struggled to piece anything together in attack though and left themselves vulnerable in transition.
Leimata Simon scored her second goal just before half-time, doubling Tafea’s lead after latching onto another long ball in-behind the Eels defence.
Three goals inside the first 12 minutes of the second half then put the game to bed and wrapped up the three points for Tafea FC.
A poor error from the Eels whilst playing out from the back allowed Liyo Eramol to score the fourth goal in the 49th minute. And Leimata Simon completed her hat-trick five minutes later, latching onto another flighted ball over the top of the defence, and rolling it through the legs of the goalkeeper, for an historic hat-trick.
Simon then turned provider for the fifth goal in the 57th minute, perfectly finding the head of substitute Nettie Kalsau to score from a delivery off the right. It was another substitute, Pindy Erikan, who rounded out the scoring for Tafea, adding the sixth late in regular time.
Henderson Eels did have one chance to add a consolation of their own late in the piece, but captain Ileen Pegi was denied in a one-on-one situation as Amelia Reddy maintained a clean sheet between the Tafea sticks.
The win sees Tafea FC jump to the top of Group A on four points, but with a higher goal difference than Hekari Women FC. They will face Ba Women on Saturday, whilst already-eliminated Henderson Eels FC will attempt to rescue some pride from their campaign against Hekari.
Henderson Eels FC: 0
Tafea FC: 6 (Leimata SIMON 8’, 45+1’, 54’, Liyo ERAMOL 49’, Nettie KALSAU 57’, Pindy ERIKAN 86′)
HT: 0-2
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek