After making history as the first Solomon Islands women’s club side to reach the OFC Women’s Champions League semi-finals, Henderson Eels FC return to Honiara determined to take another step forward on home soil.

The Solomon Islands champions have continued their rise on the continental stage since making their debut in 2024, when they recorded a memorable 2-0 victory over Avatiu FC in Honiara but narrowly missed out on progressing beyond the group stage.

12 months later in Tahiti, the Eels made history by becoming the first women’s club from the Solomon Islands to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Head coach Godfrey Maneihioha believes the team enters this year’s tournament in a stronger position than previous campaigns.

“This year is a little bit kind to us,” Maneihioha said.

“For the 2024 and 2025 editions, we went straight into the OFC Women’s Champions League without any competitive matches for five to six months. This year, despite the cyclone and weather disruptions, we managed to train for eight weeks before our domestic league started, and by the time the tournament begins, we’ll have played six competitive league matches.

“That has been excellent for us in terms of seeing where we need to improve. Overall, our preparations have been good.”

Competing in a challenging Group A alongside the runner up from the past two years Hekari Women FC, Tafea FC and Ba Women FC, Henderson Eels know consistency and composure will be key if they are to reach the knockout stages once again.

“The main focus this year is to improve from 2025,” Maneihioha explained.

“We want to be more cohesive as a unit, more organised, and more aggressive and competitive. Overall, we want to do the basics right, stay calm and remain focused.”

Leading the team will be Solomon Islands women’s national team captain and star striker Ileen Pegi, one of a number of experienced players returning for another continental campaign.

While Henderson Eels will be without influential midfielder Madeline Arukau as she continues her recovery from a fractured collarbone, Maneihioha believes the experience within the squad will be invaluable.

“We will definitely miss Madeline’s contribution and how we want to play,” he said.

“Besides that, we have Ileen Pegi, who has participated in two previous OFC Women’s Championship -League championships, and players like Edith Nari and Dealyn Kali. The majority of this team will be taking part in their third OFC Women’s Champions League tournament, so the discussions have been about doing their best and using that experience in the competition.”

With plenty of home support behind them and a squad packed with Solomon Islands internationals, Henderson Eels FC will be aiming to build on last year’s breakthrough performance over the next few weeks in Honiara.

Henderson Eels FC begin their OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 campaign against Ba Women FC on Saturday 27 June.

Photo Credit (OFC Media via Phototek)

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