Galaxy FC have claimed the first trophy of the 2026/27 football season in Vanuatu after defeating Ifira Black Bird FC 1-0 in the Port Vila Football Association (PVFA) Super League Opening Cup final on Saturday, 31 October, at Port Vila Stadium. The victory gives the reigning Super League champions another domestic honour as they prepare to defend their league title.
The final brought together two of Port Vila’s leading clubs, who had already faced each other during the competition’s group stage. On that occasion, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Silvain Tenene opening the scoring for Ifira Black Bird before Andrew Malakai equalised for Galaxy just two minutes later.
Both teams subsequently progressed to the knockout stage after collecting four points from their respective group campaigns. Ifira Black Bird finished top of Pool B on goal difference, while Galaxy secured second place following a 1-0 victory over iCount Yatel. The semifinal stage saw Galaxy face newly promoted Tafea FC, while Ifira Black Bird met North Efate United, with both finalists eventually advancing to another encounter.
This time, Galaxy managed to secure the victory, with the narrow 1-0 result earning them the Opening Cup title and a winners’ prize of VUV 300,000. Following the final, the club celebrated its first silverware of the new season and thanked its players, supporters and sponsors for their contribution to the achievement.
The triumph continues a successful period for Galaxy, who won the 2025/26 PVFA Super League and the 2026 VFF Champions League before representing Vanuatu in the OFC Men’s Champions League. Their continental campaign in Fiji saw them reach the semifinals, establishing the club among the region’s leading teams during the year.
For Galaxy, the Opening Cup provides an encouraging start to another domestic campaign, although the main challenge remains ahead. The tournament, organised by the PVFA as preparation for the regular championship, offered the capital’s clubs an opportunity to return to competitive football and assess their squads before the league season.
With their first trophy secured, Galaxy will now turn their attention to defending the PVFA Super League championship, while Ifira Black Bird will look to challenge their rivals again when the regular competition gets underway.
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