When the OFC Professional League begins in January 2026, Hekari FC will enter the competition carrying not only Papua New Guinea’s hopes but also a legacy unmatched by most in the region. Since its foundation in 2006, the Port Moresby club has become a symbol of ambition, resilience, and footballing excellence in Oceania.
Hekari’s story is built on domestic dominance. Between 2006 and 2014, the club collected eight consecutive league titles in Papua New Guinea, setting standards of consistency rarely seen in the Pacific. Their breakthrough came in 2010, when Hekari stunned Oceania by winning the OFC Champions League. The triumph made them the first club outside Australia or New Zealand to reach the FIFA Club World Cup, where they represented the region in Abu Dhabi.
The path was not without challenges. Internal disputes within the PNGFA led to a temporary split in 2017, but Hekari continued to reinvent itself, capturing the inaugural Papua New Guinea National Premier League before returning to the top flight. Their commitment to professionalism and development has remained constant, helping nurture players who have gone on to feature at international level.
Now, as one of the eight selected teams for the OFC Professional League, Hekari FC faces a new chapter. The club unveiled a refreshed identity in September 2025, underscoring its readiness for the regional stage. Under coach Erickson Komeng, the team will combine its winning tradition with a new ambition: to compete as equals with rivals from Fiji, Tahiti, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australia.
For Papua New Guinea, Hekari’s inclusion represents more than sporting pride. It is an opportunity for young players to see a direct pathway from Port Moresby to the global game. If history is any indication, Hekari will seize that chance with the same determination that made them Oceania’s trailblazers fifteen years ago.
0 Comments