Two-time runner-up Hekari eyeing third shot at women’s championship league title
Hekari United women's football team have been the undisputed champions of the Women's Conference Soccer League in Papua New Guinea, winning the title for three consecutive years.
Many fans in PNG classify them as the queens of women's football at the domestic level, and expectations remain high on the international stage.
Hekari's sensational form has allowed them to represent the country in two Oceania Footballl Conference Women's Champions League in 2023 and 2024.
2023 saw the inaugural OWCL tournament held in Port Moresby with Hekari women coming so close to claiming the title, but, fell short in the round robin matches to finish second behind AS Academy Feminine of New Caledonia.
The PNG representative side attended the second championships in Solomon Islands with a determined campaign, but again went down narrowly to the class of New Zealand's Auckland United in the grand final, going down 1-0.
Mirroring the success of their male counterparts, Hekari's campaign in the OFC Women's Champions League has been described with success and a reputation known throughout Oceania.
But facts speaks volume of their limitations to succeed, knowing very well that their second place finishes in 2023 and 2024 is the furthest they've gone to claiming the top prize.
Hekari's ultimate goal remains to win the OFC Women's Champions League, and the question on whether 2025 is their year of triumph, is a notion lingering within their thoughts as they focus on each game in their respective pool, with the mammoth task being Auckland United, who they get to face in the group stages.
Hekari Coach Erickson Komeng remains vocal of the potential that dwells within the club, mentioning a while ago, that the lessons of previous years are stepping stones.
For him and the club, the aspirations of snatching that champion tag comes with a lot of expectations and in terms of preparations.
They've gone through months of training to prepare for what is ahead of them, and giving their best in every game is all the nation can ask for.
The team departed home and will arrive in French Polynesia five days before official kick off, with the coaching and management staff, stating that this will give them ample time to acclimatize.
This year's OFC Women's Champions League will run from May 4th to 17th with Hekari grouped with Pansa of American Samoa, defending champions Auckland United and AS Pirae of Tahiti in pool B.
With a handful of national representative players and experience campaigners in the likes of striker Marie Kaipu and midfielder Ramona Padio, plus a few Fijian imports will add depth to the side as they gear up for the challenge.