Madang women crowned queens of Northern Region PNGFA Cup

The Madang Soccer Association (MSA) women’s team has been crowned champions of the 2026 Northern Region PNG Football Association (PNGFA) Cup Qualifiers after defeating Lae Football Association (LFA) 1–0 in the grand final at Laiwaden Oval in Madang.

MSA scored the only goal of the match in the 20th minute of the first half to take the lead.

Lae Football Association made several attempts to find an equaliser, but Madang’s defence held firm until the final hooter to secure the championship victory.

The MSA women’s head coach, Tracey Kig, praised her players for their performance and commitment throughout the tournament.

“The girls played really well. With our support and guidance, they played the way we wanted them to.

“Keep the ball and build up to score,”she said.

She said the team would now focus on improving their fitness, strength, and combination play ahead of the next stage of the competition.

“We need to work on our fitness and strength, and also our combination, to get ready for the second leg in Lae next month,” she said.

“I give credit to my girls for their time and effort in training. They deserve this win.”

LFA finished second in the women’s division, while Wewak defeated Wau 1–0 to secure third place, with Wau finishing fourth.

In the men’s division, Wau defeated Morobe Football Association (MFA) 1–0 to claim first place in the Northern Region PNGFA Cup Qualifier. Morobe finished runners-up.

Madang Soccer Association defeated Lae Football Association 3–2 in the third-place playoff to finish third, while LFA finished fourth.

Madang Soccer Association president and PNGFA vice-president responsible for the Northern Region, Siegfried Beschel, thanked all participating teams, saying the tournament demonstrated the true spirit of unity through sport.

Beschel said football has a strong following across the Momase region and called for greater recognition and support for the sport.

“Rugby is not the national sport, especially for the Momase region.

“In the Northern Region, we are soccer-loving people. We need to let our government know that Momase are soccer-loving people.” he said.

He also acknowledged the associate and affiliate members who travelled from outside Madang, particularly the Wewak teams, to participate in the tournament.

“To travel is always expensive, so we need support from the government and local MPs to support us to promote soccer in the region,” he said.

MSA and LFA women’s teams , Wau and MFA mean's team will now advance to the next stage of the PNGFA Cup, which will be held in Lae in November.

Wewak will host the 2027 Northern Region PNGFA Cup Qualifiers.