Papua New Guinea’s campaign at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup has already brought Ezekiel Vela a moment he will not forget. The Gulf Komara centre-back scored his first international goal in the dramatic 2-1 victory over Vanuatu, an early reward for a player still establishing himself within the Kapuls setup.
Vela’s goal came during a remarkable late turnaround in PNG’s opening match of the tournament. Tony Kaltak had put Vanuatu ahead before Nalau Moses equalised in the closing stages, and Vela then completed the comeback only minutes later. For a defender relatively new to the national-team environment, it was an immediate opportunity to make his presence felt.
“Yes, it was my first goal and I’m super proud of myself. I am very happy,” Vela told Oceania Football Center.
The result gave PNG an encouraging start to the tournament, although the Kapuls were unable to maintain their perfect record in their second appearance, falling 2-1 against New Caledonia. With matches against Fiji and Solomon Islands still completing their round-robin programme, Vela and his teammates remain in the middle of a campaign in which every result can significantly change their position.
His arrival at international level also adds another name to a PNG squad combining established Kapuls with players attempting to build their place in Bob Morris’ team. Vela describes himself simply as a centre-back whose main strength is in aerial challenges, characteristics that have helped him progress through domestic football and eventually into the national setup.
“I am Ezekiel Vela. I play for Gulf Komara as a centre-back. I am good at challenging for the ball in the air,” he said.
Before joining Komara, Vela represented Central Amoana, which he identified as his first National Soccer League club. His performances there had already attracted attention several years before his current opportunity with the Kapuls. In 2022, he received the Most Valuable Player award during the Southern Conference presentation, an early individual recognition in his domestic career.
His development has not been restricted to the outdoor game either. Vela was also part of Gulf Komara’s campaign at the 2025 OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League in Fiji. He scored twice against Suva FC in the fifth-place playoff, although Komara eventually lost 4-3. Back in the domestic game with Komara, Vela believes his current environment has continued to help his progression.
“It’s good and I’ve learned a lot too,” he said when asked about his season with the club.
The MSG Prime Minister’s Cup has now given that development a much larger stage. PNG entered the competition looking to challenge again among Melanesia’s leading national teams, and Vela believes maintaining unity and work ethic within the squad is essential.
“To maintain as a group to achieve what we want. As a player, you must work hard to deserve what you want,” he said.
Asked whether the Kapuls could win the MSG title again, the defender remained confident in the group around him. “Yes. I trust the boys and the coaches for the hard work we are doing.”
For Vela personally, however, this tournament may represent more than the results PNG ultimately collect in Fiji. His first international goal has provided an early landmark in a national-team career he wants to extend well beyond this competition. His ambitions are straightforward: continue earning opportunities with the Kapuls and eventually test himself outside Papua New Guinea.
“To continue playing football to achieve more,” Vela said of what comes next. His ultimate goal is even clearer: “To play overseas and represent the PNG Kapuls.”
For a centre-back only beginning to establish himself at this level, scoring the decisive goal against Vanuatu was an important first step. What Vela does with the opportunity created by this MSG Cup could now be considerably more important than the goal itself.
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