2024 Result: Group Stage
Head Coach: Jerry Allen
2010 champions and perennial qualifiers Hekari United are back for another shot at the OFC Men’s Champions League this month in the Solomon Islands.
The Papua New Guinea side will be looking to improve on their recent form in the Pacific, with two group stage exits from their last two appearances in 2024 and 2023.
Domestically, they have been the dominant outfit in the National Soccer League, with the team winning the league championship in the last two years, as well as a second-place finish in 2022.
Last year in Papeete, David Muta’s side were a little unlucky not to advance to the semi-finals. An opening 2-0 win over Solomon Warriors was followed by two defeats, to Auckland City FC and Rewa FC respectively – both virtue of last-minute concessions.
Muta will not be back in 2025, with Jerry Allen now in the hot seat, with the usual pressure on his shoulders that comes with managing Papua New Guinea’s biggest club side.
Preparations have been going well, with a decent lead time allowed for Allen and his squad.
“Our preparations so far have been ok – the boys are looking forward to the Champions League in Honiara.
“We’ve been training for almost six weeks now and I have only three weeks left to polish up a few things before the OFC Men’s Champions League kicks off,” Allen said.
Group B will be a challenge for Hekari United, with Vanuatu’s Ifira Black Bird FC, host nation side Central Coast FC and qualifying tournament winners Tupapa Maraerenga FC standing in their way of a semi-final appearance.
“The challenge is going to be very hard and tough because the other teams are well prepared for the tournament so nothing will be easy, but my team is ready to give them a good challenge.
“I have a mix of young and old players in the team and I’m very confident that my boys can progress to the next stage,” the coach continued.
Hekari United FC fixtures
Kick-off times local
v Central Coast FC
Monday, March 31 | 3:00pm
v Ifira Black Bird FC
Thursday, April 3 | 12:00pm
v Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Sunday, April 6 | 12:00pm