(Photo: Hekari United’s Sonia Embahe. Credit: Papua New Guinea FA)
The inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League #OWCL2023, kicks off in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on June 1st. In the build up to the tournament, we are profiling the five competing teams, starting with the host nation’s Hekari United FC.
Hekari United FC is a Port Moresby based club rich in footballing history. It’s women’s side qualified for the OFC Women’s Champions League by winning the 2021-2022 Women’s National Soccer League in Papua New Guinea.
View the Hekari United Facebook page here
The coach’s hopes for the tournament: Erick Komeng
“It’s great for the game, first time in Oceania and will be a good competition for the women. It would be great to see some talent come through in the women’s game.
It will be good to play four other clubs from around the region and my girls have been preparing since we qualified. It’s good we have been chosen to host it. Hopefully we will get a lot of supporters because it’s the first time we have hosted a women’s OFC competition.
It’s a stepping-stone for international football for the players. It’s a good concept to start a women’s Champions League and the players are looking forward to it.”
Player to Watch
Phyllis Pala could light up the tournament. A talented and skillful midfielder who has a great football IQ and has the vision to create chances out of nothing.
Hekari United fixtures: (PNG time)
Thursday June 1 v AS Academy Féminine, 5pm
Saturday June 3 v Kiwi FC, 5pm
Thursday June 8 v Koloale FC, 5pm
Saturday June 10 v Labasa Women FC, 5pm