Vanuatu have produced the biggest result in their recent women’s football history, defeating defending champions Papua New Guinea on penalties to lift the 2026 Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The final finished 1–1 after regulation time before Vanuatu held their nerve in the decisive shootout to take the trophy.Continue reading “Vanuatu stun defending champions PNG on penalties to win first Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title”
Category Archives: Papua New Guinea
PNG stand one win away from another Melanesian crown as Vanuatu prepare for second chance in MSG women’s tournament final
Papua New Guinea have been the dominant force of the 2026 Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, but one final challenge remains as the defending champions prepare to face Vanuatu for the title at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday. The final brings together the top two teams from the round-robin stage, although their routesContinue reading “PNG stand one win away from another Melanesian crown as Vanuatu prepare for second chance in MSG women’s tournament final”
From backlash to apology: PNG captain Daniel Joe apologises to Ben Aukwai after refereeing criticism
Solomon Islands FIFA referee Ben Aukwai has accepted a public apology from Papua New Guinea national team captain Daniel Joe following strong criticism of his performance in Fiji’s 2-0 victory over PNG at the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup. The criticism emerged after the match at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, where Fiji secured an importantContinue reading “From backlash to apology: PNG captain Daniel Joe apologises to Ben Aukwai after refereeing criticism”
Everything comes down to Suva as MSG Cup men’s final race reaches decisive last round
The round-robin stage of the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup reaches its conclusion on Wednesday at HFC Bank Stadium, with Vanuatu already having completed their schedule and the other four Melanesian nations entering one final day that will determine who advances to Saturday’s grand final. After four rounds that have produced dramatic comebacks, late goalsContinue reading “Everything comes down to Suva as MSG Cup men’s final race reaches decisive last round”
PNG hit five as Vanuatu secure Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final place
Papua New Guinea finished the Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup round-robin stage in emphatic fashion, defeating Solomon Islands 5–1 to confirm top spot and send Vanuatu into Saturday’s final. The Bilums had already secured their place in the decider before the final round, but they left no doubt about who has been the tournament’s dominantContinue reading “PNG hit five as Vanuatu secure Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final place”
15-year-old Bomecge Basananuc completes stunning rise from PNG U-16s to senior Kapuls in 2026
Few footballers experience three different levels of international football in the space of a single season. Bomecge Basananuc has done exactly that in 2026 — while still only 15 years old. The Lae City defender has gone from representing Papua New Guinea at U-19 and U-16 level to earning his place with the senior KapulsContinue reading “15-year-old Bomecge Basananuc completes stunning rise from PNG U-16s to senior Kapuls in 2026”
Roy Krishna and Sterling Vasconcellos fire Fiji past PNG to revive MSG Cup final hopes
Fiji finally claimed their first victory of the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup on Sunday night, producing a much-improved performance to defeat Papua New Guinea 2-0 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. With only one point from their opening two matches, the Bula Boys entered the encounter knowing that another setback would leave their hopesContinue reading “Roy Krishna and Sterling Vasconcellos fire Fiji past PNG to revive MSG Cup final hopes”
PNG book Women’s MSG Cup final as Solomon Islands keep their hopes alive
Papua New Guinea became the first team to secure a place in the 2026 Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final after defeating Vanuatu 2-0 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, while Solomon Islands strengthened their own qualification hopes with a narrow 1-0 victory over New Caledonia. The latest round of matches provided an important turnContinue reading “PNG book Women’s MSG Cup final as Solomon Islands keep their hopes alive”
Ezekiel Vela embraces his Kapuls opportunity after first international goal
Papua New Guinea’s campaign at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup has already brought Ezekiel Vela a moment he will not forget. The Gulf Komara centre-back scored his first international goal in the dramatic 2-1 victory over Vanuatu, an early reward for a player still establishing himself within the Kapuls setup. Vela’s goal came duringContinue reading “Ezekiel Vela embraces his Kapuls opportunity after first international goal”
Ferdallas Namuesh relishes Papua New Guinea return as Kapuls turn focus to New Caledonia
Papua New Guinea made an ideal start to the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup with a dramatic victory over defending champions Vanuatu, and for experienced defender Ferdallas Namuesh, the opening match carried an additional significance: the opportunity to wear the Kapuls colours again. PNG overturned a late deficit to defeat Vanuatu 2-1 at HFC BankContinue reading “Ferdallas Namuesh relishes Papua New Guinea return as Kapuls turn focus to New Caledonia”
