AS Magenta have been crowned champions of New Caledonia for the 13th time in their history after completing the 2026 Super Ligue season with a convincing 5-0 victory over CA Saint-Louis, while defending champions Tiga Sport secured second place on the final day of the competition.
The Nouméa-based club finished the championship with 57 points from 18 matches, four ahead of Tiga Sport and five clear of ASC Gaïca, who had been Magenta’s principal rivals throughout the closing stages of the season.
Magenta’s title was confirmed even before they took the field for their final fixture on Saturday, 24 October, after Gaïca surrendered points in a dramatic 3-3 draw against SC Ne Drehu.
Gaïca had entered the final weekend still mathematically capable of challenging for the championship, but their hopes disappeared when Ne Drehu equalised in stoppage time to deny them victory.
The result left Magenta with an unassailable advantage, allowing Pierre Wajoka’s players to approach their final match knowing the title was already secured.
Nevertheless, the newly crowned champions ended their campaign in emphatic fashion.
After a goalless first half against CA Saint-Louis, Magenta found their attacking rhythm after the interval, scoring five unanswered goals to celebrate their championship success in style.
Jean-Marie Hmaloko was among the goalscorers, netting the team’s second goal, while captain Romaric Walone later received the championship trophy.
The victory completed a remarkable finish to the season for Magenta, who had faced considerable pressure from Gaïca and defending champions Tiga Sport during the closing rounds.
Earlier in October, Magenta produced a dramatic comeback against Tiga, recovering from a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2 through late goals from Gilbert Kukogne and Hmaloko.
The result proved particularly important in the championship race, allowing Magenta to remain within reach of Gaïca before taking control of the standings during the penultimate round.
A commanding 6-0 victory over SC Ne Drehu subsequently strengthened their position, while Gaïca suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat against Tiga Sport.
Those results transformed the title race, putting Magenta in a commanding position heading into the final weekend.
Their championship success was built on a combination of attacking consistency and defensive strength.
Magenta finished with 46 goals scored and only 14 conceded across 18 matches, giving them both the strongest attack and the best defensive record in the competition.
The club recorded 13 victories during the campaign, completing another successful season in New Caledonia’s highest domestic division.
Alongside the championship trophy, Magenta received a prize of 500,000 CFP francs from the Fédération Calédonienne de Football, as well as financial assistance of 1.5 million CFP francs towards their participation in the 2027 OFC Men’s Champions League.
While the title had already been decided, the battle for second place remained open until the final matchday on Sunday, 25 October.
Tiga Sport entered their encounter against AS Lössi needing victory to move ahead of Gaïca, who had finished their campaign with 52 points.
The defending champions responded with a narrow but decisive 1-0 victory, courtesy of an early goal from Willy Read.
The young attacker struck in the third minute, meeting a corner with a powerful header to put the Tokanod side ahead.
Despite opportunities at both ends, neither team managed to change the scoreline, allowing Tiga to secure their eleventh league victory of the campaign and finish second with 53 points.
The result ensured that Tiga followed their 2025 championship success with another podium finish, continuing their presence among New Caledonia’s leading clubs.
Read also celebrated an individual achievement, finishing as the Super Ligue’s leading goalscorer with 13 goals.
His decisive header against Lössi allowed him to finish two goals ahead of Hienghène Sport attacker Brice Dahité, who ended the season with 11 after failing to score in his team’s 2-2 draw against Horizon Sport.
Guy-Eric Wahéo, who found the net for Gaïca against Ne Drehu, also finished among the leading scorers with 11 goals.
Tiga’s second-place finish earned the club a prize of 250,000 CFP francs, adding another reward to a season in which they also represented New Caledonia in the OFC Men’s Champions League.
For Gaïca, the conclusion was considerably more disappointing.
The club had led the standings during important stages of the campaign and remained in contention for the championship until the closing rounds.
However, dropped points against Hienghène Sport, defeat to Tiga and the final draw against Ne Drehu ultimately proved costly, leaving Gaïca third with 52 points.
AS Lössi completed the top four with 49 points, followed by AS Kunié on 47 and Hienghène Sport on 45.
SC Ne Drehu finished seventh with 44 points, ahead of CA Saint-Louis on 32 and Horizon Sport on 27.
At the bottom, AS Mont-Dore endured a difficult campaign, finishing with only 19 points after failing to win any of their 18 matches.
Their final fixture ended in a 3-2 defeat against AS Kunié, confirming the end of a disappointing season for the former New Caledonian champions, who have been relegated from the top division.
The 2026 campaign marked the return of the Super Ligue’s traditional league format, with ten clubs competing across 18 rounds after the shortened championship organised in 2025.
The next season is expected to feature an expanded 12-team competition, creating additional opportunities for clubs progressing through New Caledonia’s provincial championships.
For Magenta, attention will now turn towards preparations for the 2027 OFC Men’s Champions League, where they will represent New Caledonia after reclaiming the domestic title.
Their 13th championship extends the club’s successful history and confirms their return to the top of New Caledonian football, while Tiga Sport’s late rise to second and Read’s goalscoring achievement provided a fitting conclusion to a closely contested season.
Discover more from Oceania Football Center
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
