The historic opening weekend of the inaugural OFC Pro League will reach a fever pitch on Sunday, January 18, 2026, as Papua New Guinea’s Hekari FC faces off against the Solomon Kings FC at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland.
This “Melanesian Derby” is more than just a match; it is the first professional encounter between the two most passionate football nations in the Pacific.
With both clubs designed as “gateways” for local talent to reach the global stage, scouts from the A-League and Asia are expected to be in attendance for this Round 1 clash.
The Brazilian-Melanesian Fusion Coach Marcos Gusmão has spent the pre-season fine-tuning a system that combines the physical power of PNG football with “Samba” technicality.
Hekari is expected to deploy a high-pressing game, utilizing their three Brazilian visa players, Erick Joe, Rafael Chaves, and Kauê Silva, to dictate the tempo in midfield.
The objective will be to provide service to veteran talisman Raymond Gunemba, whose experience in high-pressure regional finals remains Hekari’s greatest asset.
Technical Flair and Aussie Structure Under the guidance of Ben Cahn, the Kings have been preparing at their high-performance base in Queensland, Australia.
Their style is built on the trademark technical flair of the Solomon Islands, but with a more rigid defensive structure introduced by Cahn.
Watch for former Brisbane Roar attacker Jez Lofthouse to link up with veteran goalkeeper Philip Mango, who will be tasked with organising a backline that must withstand Hekari’s aggressive front three.
The game could be decided by the duel between Hekari’s explosive forward Ati Kepo and the Kings’ captain Philip Mango. Kepo’s ability to find pockets of space in the box will test Mango’s reflexes and leadership in what is the biggest professional debut for both players.
Beyond the three points, this match sets the tone for the “global exposure” mission of the league. A standout performance here could be the catalyst for a professional contract abroad. For Hekari, a win provides the perfect momentum before they return to Port Moresby to host the second circuit round on January 31.
