Hekari Women FC and Tafea FC have shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw to open up Group A at OFC Women’s Champions League 2026.
In a match filled with numerous twists and turns in momentum, Tafea were pegged back by two goals after taking an early lead, before scoring a stunning second half equaliser to steal a point at the National Stadium in Honiara.
Runners-up in each of the previous three editions of the OFC Women’s Champions League, Hekari Women FC entered the contest as favourites, but were stunned by a fast start from Tafea FC. Liyo Eramol gave the Vanuatu representatives a shock lead inside the first three minutes, picking out the bottom-right corner from a one-on-one position after being played in-behind the Hekari defence.
It’s the earliest goal Hekari Women have conceded at the OFC Women’s Champions League since their very first match in the tournament back in 2023, and they struggled to keep hold of possession as Tafea pressed them into errors early on.
Eramol should have scored a scored second too, when blazing over the crossbar from point-blank range after captain Leimata Simon had stolen possession inside the final third.
Hekari coach Eric Komeng had started with star attacker Nenny Elipas on the bench but was forced to play his cards early to swing momentum and brought her into the action on the half-hour mark.
It proved a masterstroke when Elipas had a hand in the equalizer, setting up Seruwaia Laulaba, who had her initial shot palmed away by Amelia Reddy, but was on hand to tuck the rebound into the roof of the net in the 35th minute.
The goal allowed Hekari to settle, and they turned the contest on its head when they came from behind to hit the front in first half stoppage-time. Tafea failed to clear their lines from a delivery into the box, and Reddy failed to keep out Phylis Pala’s close-range effort, giving the Papua New Guinea representatives the lead at the break.
Komeng used the interval to make two more changes, further bolstering the Hekari line-up by bringing Ramona Padio and Francisca Mani into the action.
Rather it was Tafea coach Robert Calvo’s alterations which provided the next twist in the contest though, substitute Augustine Mansale scoring an early contender for the goal of the tournament in the 76th minute, after turning and finding the top-left corner of the net from long range to level the contest at two goals apiece.
After a previously slow start to the second half, the match ignited into life again. Padio had an effort saved by Reddy, before Elipas drove a low effort into the side-netting, but Hekari Women couldn’t find a late winner.
Both teams are back in action in Group A on Wednesday, when Hekari Women FC face Ba Women FC, and Tafea FC take on host club Henderson Eels FC.
Hekari Women FC: 2 (Seruwaia LAULABA 35’, Phylis PALA 45+4’)
Tafea FC: 2 (Liyo ERAMOL 3’, Augustine MANSALE 76’)
HT: 2-1
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek