A second half double from Bonnie Rice has helped New Zealand to their eighth OFC U-16 Women’s Championship title, defeating New Caledonia 4-0 in the final of the 2026 edition at the National Stadium in Honiara.
The result maintains New Zealand’s 100% winning record at the tournament dating back to its inauguration in 2010, scoring 19 goals without reply across their five games in the Solomon Islands, to add yet another continental title.
Captain Rice scored twice for the Young Football Ferns, winning the player of the match award in the decider, before Kodi Wilson and Louisa Egley-Turner rounded the scoring off the bench in the closing stages.
For 45 minutes the organisation and physicality of the New Caledonian defence did well to blunt the New Zealand attack though, led superbly by central defender and captain Sélapaié Sameke, and Golden Glove winner Bernadette Nyikeine.
The Young Football Ferns failed to create any clear-cut opportunities in the first half and were forced to hold their breath down the other end when goalkeeper Philippa Bromley made a fingertip save to deny Gisèle Hace from a direct free kick.
That changed after the break however, Rice stepping up to get the decisive breakthrough in the 48th minute after cutting off the left flank and beating Nyikeine at her near post with pinpoint right-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Rice’s second goal then made sure of the title for New Zealand midway through the second period, picking out the bottom-left corner again from the top of the box.
New Zealand’s bench added the icing on the cake late on, Kodi Wilson lifting an effort over the head of the goalkeeper, and Louis Egley-Turner relying on a heavy deflection off Hace to beat the goalkeeper with practically the last kick of the match.
The final whistle brought scenes of celebration for New Zealand to conclude another dominant campaign.
Both nations can now turn their attention towards preparing for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Morocco, where New Caledonia will make their debut, and join New Zealand in representing OFC next year.
New Zealand: 4 (Bonnie RICE 48’, 66’, Kodi WILSON 87’, Louisa EGLEY-TURNER 90+5’)
New Caledonia: 0
HT: 0-0
Earlier in the day, Fiji came from behind to finish third at the championship with a convincing 6-1 victory over Papua New Guinea.
The Mini Kulas scored five second half goals, including a double from Temalesi Masi, to recover from an early deficit and finish inside the top three at the tournament for the first time since their run to the final in 2023.
Glenda Danny gave Papua New Guinea the lead in the 38th minute with a blistering strike from the edge of the box, but that was as good as it got for them, Esther Vunivi kickstarting the Fijian comeback with the equaliser before half-time.
Masi completed the turnaround three minutes into the second half, and Adi Reva scored her sixth goal of the championship with a driven effort from the top of the box that snuck through the opposing goalkeeper’s hands.
Masi scored her second and Fiji’s fourth in the 70th minute, before substitutes Titilia Latui and Varanisese Naiqarau rounded the scoring in the closing stages.
Despite defeat, Papua New Guinea cap their remarkable rise at this year’s OFC U-16 Women’s Championship with a fourth-place finish, whilst Fiji end on a high with the bronze medal in Honiara.
Papua New Guinea: 1 (Glenda DANNY 38’)
Fiji: 6 (Esther VUNIVI 40’, Temalesi MASI 48’, 70’ Adi REVA 59’, Titilia LATUI (P) 76’, Varanisese NAIQARAU 85’)
HT: 1-1
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek