Qanono Sport have secured promotion to New Caledonia’s Super Ligue for the 2027 season after winning the Inter-Islands Championship, defeating ES Wacaélé 3-2 in a decisive encounter at Stade Bernard-Ukéiwé in Nouméa on Friday, 23 October.
The victory completed a successful campaign for the Lifou champions, who won both matches in the three-team competition to finish ahead of representatives from Maré and Ouvéa. Their achievement confirms their return to the country’s highest domestic division for the first time since being relegated at the end of the 2023 season.
The Inter-Islands Championship brought together Qanono Sport, representing Lifou, ES Wacaélé, champions of Maré, and Inter Bunatcha, winners of the Ouvéa championship. The three teams competed for a single place in the 2027 Super Ligue, which is expanding from ten to twelve clubs.
Qanono began their campaign on 17 October with a 2-0 victory against Inter Bunatcha. After a goalless first half, the Lifou side found the breakthrough after the interval to secure an important opening result.
Three days later, ES Wacaélé defeated Inter Bunatcha 3-1, setting up a decisive final encounter between the two unbeaten teams.
Both clubs had previous experience in New Caledonia’s top division, making the match an important opportunity to return to the country’s leading domestic competition.
The contest remained closely balanced, but Qanono eventually emerged with a 3-2 victory, completing a perfect record in the tournament and securing the Inter-Islands title.
With two victories, Qanono finished top of the standings with eight points under New Caledonia’s domestic points system, which awards four points for a victory and two for a draw. ES Wacaélé finished second with five points, while Inter Bunatcha collected two.
The promotion represents an important achievement for a club that endured a difficult final season in the Super Ligue in 2023.
Qanono finished bottom of the twelve-team competition that year, collecting 36 points from 22 matches, with three victories, five draws and fourteen defeats. The club scored 22 goals and conceded 49, finishing nine points behind AS Wetr.
Their return three years later provides an opportunity to establish themselves once again among New Caledonia’s leading clubs.
The achievement also follows a competitive domestic campaign in Lifou, where Qanono faced strong opposition from UJ Wedrumel and Trio Sport in the battle to qualify for the Inter-Islands Championship.
One of the players attracting attention during the final stages of the campaign has been Numa Pamani, a 20-year-old New Caledonian footballer who previously represented his country at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Pamani, who played alongside current SC Bastia midfielder Nolhann Alebate in New Caledonia’s youth national team, joined Qanono after previously representing SC Ne Drehu.
His performances during the Inter-Islands competition highlighted the importance of young players gaining opportunities within the domestic football structure, particularly as Qanono prepared for their return to the top division.
The competition was organised by the Loyalty Islands Provincial Football Committee, with support from the New Caledonian Football Federation, bringing together the champions of the three main Loyalty Islands.
Qanono’s promotion also reflects the changes taking place in New Caledonian football ahead of the 2027 season.
With the Super Ligue expanding to twelve clubs, the federation has created additional opportunities for teams from the country’s provincial competitions to join the national elite.
For Qanono Sport, the immediate objective will be to prepare a competitive squad capable of avoiding the difficulties experienced during their previous top-flight campaign.
Their triumph in Nouméa concludes a successful season for the Lifou club and ensures that the Loyalty Islands will have another representative in New Caledonia’s highest domestic championship in 2027.
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