Eastern Frigates FC have been crowned champions of the 2026 Guadalcanal Football Championship after defeating defending champions East Central FC 2-0 in the grand final at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara on Monday, 19 October, completing a remarkable turnaround after losing to the same opponents earlier in the competition.
The victory was particularly significant for Solomon Islands attacker Paul Francis, who returned from Fiji to captain Eastern Frigates in the provincial tournament. Francis had missed Nasinu FC’s Inter-District Championship campaign to represent his home province, and his decision was rewarded with the Guadalcanal title.
Eastern Frigates entered the final determined to avenge their 4-2 defeat to East Central in the opening round of the competition. The defending champions had demonstrated their strength throughout the tournament, but Francis and his teammates produced a disciplined performance to prevent them from retaining the trophy.
The eventual champions took the lead against East Central before Terison Weni sealed the result with a second goal during the closing stages. The attacker was celebrated by the tournament’s official social media page after doubling Eastern Frigates’ advantage, effectively putting the championship beyond their opponents’ reach.
Head coach Freling Tovosia explained that his team’s approach centred on collective defending and exploiting opportunities on the counterattack, particularly against East Central’s aggressive pressing.
“I think it is a well-deserved victory because we’ve worked hard for it,” Tovosia told the Island Sun following the match.
“Our game plan was to score first because we worked hard on defending and playing as a team.”
The strategy allowed Eastern Frigates to take control of the contest and secure a result that represented a significant reversal from their earlier defeat.
For Francis, the title provided a memorable conclusion to his return to Solomon Islands football after spending the domestic season with Nasinu in Fiji.
The attacker had established himself as an influential player for the Fijian district, contributing to Nasinu’s unexpected run to the Battle of the Giants semifinals. His performances were an important part of the team’s campaign, particularly as Nasinu challenged several of Fiji’s more established football districts.
However, Francis chose to return to Honiara for the Guadalcanal Championship rather than remain with Nasinu for the IDC, which was taking place during the same period.
Eastern Frigates appointed him captain, placing one of the province’s most experienced attacking players in a leadership role as the club pursued the championship.
Their campaign began with disappointment against East Central, but the team recovered to advance from the group stage and progress through the knockout rounds.
Eastern Frigates secured their place in the final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Duvata FC, while East Central overcame Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) FC by the same scoreline in the other semifinal.
The championship decider therefore brought together two teams that had already met in the opening stages, creating an opportunity for Eastern Frigates to reverse their earlier defeat.
Tovosia described the result as a satisfying achievement for a squad that had worked hard to improve throughout the tournament. He also recognised the importance of the supporters who attended the final.
“Thank you so much to every supporter, relative, and player, including everyone in the team, for coming out in numbers to support us,” the coach said.
“It really means a lot, acting as our 12th man on the field today.”
In the third-place playoff, Duvata FC defeated GRML FC 3-0 to complete the tournament podium.
Organised by the Guadalcanal Football Association, the 2026 championship brought together nine participating teams, including representatives from different areas of the province and an invitational side from Gold Ridge Mining Limited.
The competition also provided an opportunity for locally based footballers to demonstrate their abilities, with provincial football development remaining one of its principal objectives.
Following the final, Tovosia indicated that Eastern Frigates would continue identifying young players for future competitions, including through opportunities involving secondary schools and higher education institutions.
The championship has also highlighted the importance of maintaining competitive football opportunities outside the Solomon Islands S-League, allowing players from different communities to represent their areas and potentially progress into higher levels of the game.
For Eastern Frigates, the 2-0 victory represents another important achievement in Guadalcanal football. For Francis, it completes a successful homecoming after an eventful season abroad, while Weni’s late goal ensured that the title would return to Eastern Frigates.
After beginning the competition with a defeat to East Central, the team finished it by overcoming the same opponents when it mattered most.
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