Henderson Eels FC return to the OFC Women’s Champions League in 2025, looking to improve upon their group stage finish on home soil in 2024.
They made a positive start 12 months ago in Honiara, winning their opening match before defeats to Hekari Womens FC and Tafea respectively meant they missed out on a semi-final appearance.
In 2025, they head to Papeete as one of the competition’s more experienced sides, drawn into Group A alongside three tournament debutants; Fiji’s Ba Womens FC, Tupapa Maraerenga FC of the Cook Islands and Vanuatu’s Penama Tigers.
There are a dozen Solomon Islands internationals in the squad headlined by talismanic striker Ileen Pegi who transferred from Koaoale FC earlier this year.
The tournament represents perhaps their best chance of advancing to the knockout stages for the first time, with motivation and momentum high following their Solrais Women’s Premier League title victory in September of last year, finishing five points ahead of closest rival Naha FC.
However Henderson Eels preparations have suffered a setback with coach Godfrey Maneihioha remaining home in the Solomon Islands due to a visa issue. Assistant coach Priscilla Maneihioha will take charge of the team, arriving on the eve of the match.
Usual captain Kalinsa Fiua has been ruled out with a knee injury suffered during the side’s last warmup match last weekend.
She’s incredibly frustrated.
” I was going for the ball and I heard a popping sound. It really sucks,” Fiua said.
“We have been preparing for six months and it’s been tough, but we have managed to prepare ourselves well and are looking forward to the games.”
“It’s a challenge being here without a coach but the good thing [is] we have a lot of national players in the team and will just trust ourselves and work together,” Fiua said.
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek
Henderson Eels FC fixtures
Kick-off times local
v Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Sunday, May 4 | 10:00am
v Ba Women FC
Wednesday, May 7 | 3:00pm
v Penama Tigers FC
Saturday, May 10 | 10:00am