OFC Women’s Champions League 2024
The second edition of the OFC Women’s Champions League took place in 2024 and was held across three venues in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands. The tournament consisted of eight clubs, including Henderson Eels FC, Labasa Women FC, Auckland United FC, AS Academy Feminine, Avatiu FC, Tafea FC, and Veitongo FC. The format involved two groups of four, with the top two in each group progressing to the semi-finals.
Hosts Henderson Eels FC were drawn with 2023 runners-up Hekari United FC, Tafea FC, and Avatiu FC in Group A, whilst defending champions AS Academy Feminine were joined by Labasa Women FC, Auckland United FC, and Veitongo FC in Group B. Group A was a two-horse race between 2023 runners-up Hekari United FC and Tafea FC, who drew the opening match of the tournament between each other 1-1 at the SIFF Academy. Both clubs went on to win their remaining two fixtures, with Hekari United defeating Henderson Eels FC 3-0 and Avatiu FC 5-0, whilst Tafea beat the same opposition by 3-0 and 4-2 margins.
Hekari United’s super goal difference ensured they claimed top spot in the group though, whilst Tafea joined them in the semi-finals after finishing second. Defending champions AS Academy Feminine got off to a bang with a 4-1 victory over Veitongo FC on matchday one, but quickly fell away after a crushing 0-5 defeat to Auckland United FC. A Rene Wasi hat-trick inspired the New Zealand champions to victory, and they went on to secure top spot in the group with a 1-0 win over Veitongo FC.
The battle for second came down to a battle between AS Academy Feminine and Labasa Women in the final group game, but neither side could break the deadlock in a scoreless draw, meaning Labasa progressed to the semi-finals whilst the defending champions suffered an early exit. Both semi-finals entered extra-time, with Hekari United FC overcoming Labasa Women 2-0 in the first semi to qualify for their second successive OFC Women’s Champions League finals. Auckland United were also forced to dig deep in the second semi-final, edging Tafea FC 2-1 with a 104th minute winner from Danielle Canham.
Auckland United FC lifted their first OFC Women’s Champions League title with a 1-0 victory over Hekari United FC in the final at the National Stadium in Honiara. Bree Johnson’s first half strike proved the difference, as Hekari United fell to a second consecutive final defeat.
Auckland United were also awarded the fair play award, whilst Talish Green won the golden ball and teammate Amberley Hollis received the golden glove. Tafea’s Jane Alatoa received the golden boot as the tournament’s top goal-scorer with four goals.