Defending Solomon Cup champions Makira-Ulawa have confirmed four guest players for the 2026 tournament, bringing together experienced Solomon Islands internationals and familiar faces from last year’s historic triumph. Jeffery Bule, Adrian Mara, Stanley Wairowo and Chris Hatarau have been selected as the Real Kakamora prepare to defend the title they won for the first time in July 2025.
The announcement comes as provincial teams across Solomon Islands strengthen their squads ahead of the competition, which will take place in Honiara from November 22 to December 5.
Among Makira-Ulawa’s most significant inclusions is veteran midfielder Jeffery Bule, who captained the province to its maiden Solomon Cup championship last year.
Bule played an important role in the 3-0 victory over Malaita Eagles in the final at the National Stadium, scoring the second goal during first-half stoppage time. His long-range strike followed Andrew Hanua’s opener, giving Makira-Ulawa a commanding advantage before Hanua completed his brace during the second half.
The midfielder also contributed to the third goal, providing the pass that allowed Hanua to complete the scoring and secure a historic victory.
A former Solomon Islands international with experience representing several prominent domestic clubs, Bule has also played overseas for Amicale FC in Vanuatu and Suva FC in Fiji.
His career has included appearances for Koloale, Solomon Warriors, Western United, Marist, Laugu United and Central Coast, making him one of the most experienced footballers in the provincial squad.
During the current SIFF Super League season, Bule has represented Honiara City, maintaining his involvement in domestic football after the provincial triumph.
The experienced midfielder has also remained active in futsal, captaining Kukstaon FC during the 2026 SIFF Super Futsal League after previously representing the Solomon Islands national futsal team.
Another familiar figure returning to the Makira-Ulawa setup is Stanley Wairowo, whose contribution during last year’s semi-final proved decisive.
Facing Guadalcanal Hornets, Makira-Ulawa found themselves trailing 2-0 after Terrison Weni scored twice early in the second half.
Wairowo entered the match and scored in the 68th minute, beginning an extraordinary comeback. Levis Ngauworo subsequently struck twice to turn the contest around before Andrew Hanua completed a 4-2 victory in the final minute.
The result sent Makira-Ulawa into the final and ultimately provided the foundation for their championship-winning campaign. Wairowo’s return offers continuity to a team that demonstrated considerable resilience during last year’s competition.
Adrian Mara, meanwhile, brings a different kind of international experience following his recent participation in the 2026 OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in Tahiti.
The forward represented Solomon Islands as the Bilikiki reached the continental final against the hosts. Mara scored a hat-trick in the opening 10-5 victory over New Caledonia and added another goal during the 7-4 defeat against Tahiti in the group stage.
Although Solomon Islands eventually lost the final 4-3, the tournament provided Mara with another opportunity to compete internationally.
His experience is not limited to beach soccer. Mara previously represented Solomon Islands in senior international football, including the country’s run to the final of Oceania’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament in Qatar.
At domestic level, he has represented several clubs, including Henderson Eels and Malaita Kingz, bringing additional attacking options to the Makira-Ulawa squad.
Completing the four additions is Chris Hatarau, who joined Fiji’s Labasa FC at the beginning of 2026 after previously representing Malaita Kingz in the Solomon Islands S-League.
The winger moved to the Babasiga Lions alongside Vanuatu players Miller Loloa and Gerard Avock as the northern Fijian club strengthened its squad for the Extra Premier League campaign.
Hatarau began his football career with Real Kakamora before joining Laugu United in 2021. He later represented Malaita Kingz and gained overseas experience with Classic FC in Vanuatu during the 2024 VFF Champions League.
His move to Labasa in January provided another opportunity to compete outside Solomon Islands, adding to the experience he had already accumulated in domestic and regional competitions.
Although his current club affiliation has not been independently established, Hatarau’s inclusion gives Makira-Ulawa another player familiar with the province and experienced in football across Melanesia.
The four selections also reflect the regulations introduced for this year’s Solomon Cup. Each provincial team is permitted to include four guest players alongside 18 provincial-based footballers, with the guest places intended for experienced national team players, S-League footballers or players based overseas.
Unlike the 2025 edition, all four guest players will be permitted to play simultaneously.
The change is particularly relevant to Makira-Ulawa, who were penalised during last year’s group stage for fielding more than the permitted number of guest players against Western Tomoko. Despite the disciplinary setback, the Real Kakamora recovered to reach the semi-finals and eventually claim the championship.
Their title defence will begin in a competitive Group A, where they have been drawn alongside Guadalcanal Hornets, Honiara Warriors, Western Tomoko and Isabel Frigates.
Guadalcanal have also assembled an experienced squad, recruiting John Orobulu, Paul Francis, Marlon Tahioa and Lent Abua as their four guest players.
The Hornets will be particularly motivated against Makira-Ulawa after surrendering a two-goal lead during last year’s semi-final, making their next encounter one of the most intriguing fixtures of the group stage.
Makira-Ulawa’s success in 2025 was built on a strong collective performance, culminating in the province’s first Solomon Cup title since the competition began in 1991.
With Bule and Wairowo returning from that historic campaign, alongside the international experience of Mara and Hatarau, the defending champions are once again assembling a squad capable of competing for the national title.
The challenge now will be to reproduce the consistency and resilience that carried the Real Kakamora to an unprecedented achievement last year, as they seek to become the first province to win consecutive Solomon Cup titles since Malaita Eagles in 2021 and 2022.
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