PNG Hekari FC have confirmed the contract renewals of midfielders Ritzoki Tamgol and Judahbill Asar ahead of the 2027 OFC Pro League season, continuing the club’s efforts to retain experienced members of its inaugural professional squad. The announcements follow the earlier confirmation that goalkeeper and formJuer captain Dave Tomare will also remain with the Papua New Guinean side.
Tamgol, 23, was confirmed through the club’s official social media channels on 15 October. The midfielder represented Hekari during the inaugural OFC Pro League campaign and will have another opportunity to establish himself in Oceania’s professional competition.
The young midfielder has also gained experience with the Papua New Guinea national team, representing the Kapuls during their international fixtures in 2026. His continued involvement provides an opportunity to build upon the experience acquired during Hekari’s first professional season.
A day earlier, on 14 October, the club announced the renewal of Judahbill Asar, another midfielder who featured in the 2026 campaign. The 28-year-old has also represented Papua New Guinea internationally and brings additional experience to a squad undergoing considerable changes ahead of the new season.
Asar was part of the Hekari side that competed against some of Oceania’s strongest teams during the inaugural competition. His performances included involvement in the club’s encounters against Auckland FC, where he was among the players who attempted to create attacking opportunities despite the team’s difficulties against the eventual champions.
Both renewals represent further steps towards establishing continuity following a challenging first professional season.
PNG Hekari finished eighth in the 2026 OFC Pro League regular-season standings, collecting eight points from 14 matches. The team recorded only two victories, although both were notable achievements: a 3-1 success against Vanuatu United in February and a dramatic 2-1 victory over eventual finalists South Melbourne in April.
Despite those results, Hekari struggled to maintain consistent performances and were subsequently eliminated during the Challengers Group stage. Their final match ended in a 3-0 defeat against Solomon Kings, bringing a disappointing conclusion to the club’s first campaign.
The rebuilding process is taking place under new head coach Matt Badiee, who was appointed in August. The Iranian-born American coach faces the challenge of making Papua New Guinea’s professional representatives more competitive while developing a squad capable of performing consistently against clubs from Australia, New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.
The earlier renewal of Tomare, who served as Hekari’s inaugural captain, demonstrated the club’s intention to retain important figures from its first season. The goalkeeper appeared in 12 of the club’s 17 matches during the campaign and brings considerable domestic and international experience.
With Tamgol and Asar now also confirmed, Hekari are beginning to establish the foundations of their 2027 squad. The club has indicated that further announcements will follow as preparations continue for the second season of the OFC Pro League.
The new campaign is scheduled to begin on 22 January 2027, with a revised competition format that will see all eight participating clubs involved in the knockout stages. The season will conclude with the final at the National Stadium in Honiara on 6 June.
For Hekari, the objective will be to turn the lessons of a difficult inaugural season into improved performances. Retaining players already familiar with the demands of professional football provides an important starting point, although further recruitment will be necessary as Badiee continues shaping his squad for the challenges ahead.
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