Fresh from Ba’s historic triumph, David Supa leads four more Solomon Kings renewals for 2027

Solomon Kings FC have announced four more contract renewals ahead of the 2027 OFC Pro League season, retaining defenders David Supa, Gordon Iro and Javin Wae, alongside goalkeeper Junior Petua. The announcement strengthens the core of the squad that represented the Solomon Islands in Oceania’s inaugural professional football competition, with Supa returning to the spotlight only days after helping Ba complete a historic domestic quadruple in Fiji.

The 25-year-old defender was among the key figures in Ba’s successful Inter-District Championship campaign, scoring the opening goal in Sunday’s 2-0 final victory over Navua at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The result completed the Men in Black’s sweep of Fiji’s four major domestic titles, adding another achievement to Supa’s career before his return to professional football with Solomon Kings.

Supa had already established himself as an important member of the Kings’ defensive unit during the inaugural OFC Pro League. Alongside Gordon Iro and Junior David, he formed part of a backline that impressed during the opening rounds of the competition.

The trio started each of Solomon Kings’ first nine matches, helping the club register four clean sheets during that period, the second-highest total in the league at the time.

Their performances contributed to an encouraging start under Australian coach Ben Cahn, with Solomon Kings emerging as genuine contenders for a place among the competition’s leading teams.

Although the club ultimately finished fifth in the regular season with 18 points from 14 matches, narrowly missing out on the semi-final play-off, the defensive structure established during the campaign provided an important foundation for the team’s development.

The retention of Gordon Iro represents another significant step towards maintaining that continuity.

At just 20 years old, Iro has already gained valuable experience in professional football and with the Solomon Islands national team. The central defender was a regular presence in Cahn’s defensive system during the inaugural season, demonstrating the potential of a new generation of Solomon Islands footballers. Currently, Iro dons the colours of Green Shield in SIFF S-League.

His continued involvement will allow the club to further develop an important partnership with Supa, while also benefiting from the experience of Junior David, whose renewal was confirmed earlier this month.

Another player remaining at the club is Javin Wae, who enjoyed an impressive first professional campaign.

The 23-year-old defender scored three goals during the 2026 OFC Pro League, establishing himself as one of the Kings’ most productive players despite operating primarily in defence. Wae played the latest OFC Champions League for Central Coast and is also playing Solomon Islands’ national league for the team that is currently title holders.

One of his most memorable contributions came during the club’s home match against South Melbourne FC in March, when he scored shortly before half-time to give Solomon Kings the lead in front of a large crowd at the National Stadium in Honiara.

Although South Melbourne eventually equalised late in the encounter, Wae’s performance underlined his ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch.

He subsequently carried that form into international football, scoring twice for the Solomon Islands during September’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji.

Wae found the net in the thrilling 3-3 draw against the hosts before scoring again in the 2-0 victory over New Caledonia, further reinforcing his importance to the national team.

His re-signing ensures that Solomon Kings will retain a defender capable of contributing goals as well as providing a physical presence in their defensive line.

The fourth player confirmed in the latest announcement is goalkeeper Junior Petua.

The 22-year-old made three appearances during the inaugural OFC Pro League season, gaining experience against some of the competition’s strongest opponents. The former Honiara City shot-stopper is currently playing the national league for Marist FC.

Among his appearances was Solomon Kings’ 1-1 draw against South Melbourne in Honiara, when he produced an important early save to deny Jordan Swibel and helped keep the Australian side at bay for much of the contest.

Petua has also represented the Solomon Islands at youth and senior international level, making his continued development an important consideration for the club.

His renewal follows the earlier confirmation that experienced goalkeeper Phillip Mango will remain with the Kings, giving Cahn continuity in a position where competition for places is expected to remain significant.

The latest announcements form part of an increasingly clear recruitment strategy ahead of the second OFC Pro League season.

Earlier this month, Solomon Kings confirmed the renewals of Don Keana, Phillip Mango and Bobby Leslie, before announcing that Raphael Lea’i, Clivert Sam, Junior David and Fordney Junior would also remain with the club.

With Supa, Iro, Wae and Petua now added to that group, eleven players have been confirmed across the three recent rounds of announcements.

The club has also retained head coach Ben Cahn, ensuring continuity in the technical leadership after a promising but ultimately frustrating first professional season.

Cahn’s team demonstrated its potential with notable results against several of Oceania’s leading clubs, including a victory over Auckland FC, but inconsistency during the later stages prevented the Kings from reaching the competition’s semi-finals.

The challenge for 2027 will be to transform those encouraging performances into more consistent results.

Retaining several members of the original squad provides an opportunity to build upon established partnerships rather than begin another season with an entirely new group.

For Supa, the renewed agreement also comes at an important moment in his career. Having played a significant role in Ba’s historic IDC success, he now returns to the professional stage with additional experience and another major domestic title to his name.

For Solomon Kings, keeping their defensive core together represents an important statement of intent as preparations continue for a second campaign in Oceania’s professional football competition.

The club has indicated that further squad announcements are expected, suggesting that more familiar faces could be confirmed in the coming days.

Four trophies, no opponent? Ba’s clean sweep sparks controversy in Fiji over Navua’s 2027 CVC spot

Fiji Football Association has moved to clarify why Navua, and not Labasa, will face Ba in the 2027 Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion series after the announcement sparked debate among supporters on social media.

On Monday, Fiji FA confirmed that Ba and Navua will meet in next year’s season-opening CVC series following Ba’s extraordinary sweep of all four major domestic honours in 2026. The Men in Black won the Extra Premier League, Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and FMF Inter-District Championship, leaving many supporters asking how their opponent for the traditional curtain-raiser would be determined.

The confusion quickly became visible in the comments under Fiji FA’s announcement, where some fans argued that Labasa should have qualified as runners-up in the Extra Premier League rather than Navua, who finished second to Ba in the IDC.

However, Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf explained that the CVC regulations follow a specific order of qualification.

Traditionally, the Extra Premier League champion faces the FMF IDC winner in the Champion vs Champion series. If the same team wins both competitions, the Fiji FACT champion becomes the next eligible opponent. If that team has also won the Fiji FACT, qualification passes to the Battle of the Giants champion.

When one district wins all four major domestic trophies, the FMF IDC runners-up automatically qualify for the CVC.

That is precisely what happened this season.

Ba dominated Fijian domestic football in 2026, completing a clean sweep that left no separate winner from any of the country’s other major competitions. As a result, Navua secured qualification by virtue of reaching the IDC final, where they were beaten 2-0 by Ba at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

David Supa opened the scoring in the 80th minute before Etonia Dogalau sealed the win from the penalty spot seven minutes later, handing Ba the final piece of a historic quadruple.

Navua’s run to the final proved decisive.

After a difficult Battle of the Giants campaign earlier in the year, Navua responded strongly at the IDC, stringing together an impressive tournament run that culminated in a place in the Super Premier Division final. Although they were unable to deny Ba in the decider, their runners-up finish ultimately earned them another opportunity to face the country’s dominant team.

The reaction online showed that not everyone immediately understood the qualifying pathway.

Some supporters insisted that league runners-up Labasa deserved the place, while others questioned whether the CVC should even be played if one team had already won every major honour. But Fiji FA’s explanation made clear that the regulations account for exactly this scenario, with the IDC runners-up serving as the final fallback qualifier.

That ruling means the 2027 CVC will not simply be another reward for Ba’s dominance, but also a significant chance for Navua.

For Ba, the series will offer the first opportunity to defend their new status as undisputed champions of Fiji football. For Navua, it presents an early-season shot at upsetting the side that denied them silverware in the IDC final.

It also adds another chapter to what is becoming an increasingly interesting match-up between the two districts.

Ba defeated Navua in the Fiji FACT final earlier this year and then again in the IDC final, meaning Navua will enter the CVC with a clear sense of unfinished business. Ba, on the other hand, will be seeking to extend their domestic supremacy into the new season.

In that sense, the debate surrounding qualification has only added intrigue to the fixture.

What began as confusion in the comment section has now been answered by the governing body itself: Navua are in because the regulations say the IDC runners-up inherit the place when one team wins all four major tournaments.

Whether supporters agree with the rule or not, the decision has been made.

And when the 2027 season begins, it will be Ba against Navua in the Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion series.

PNG Hekari retain inaugural captain Dave Tomare for 2027 OFC Pro League

PNG Hekari FC have confirmed that goalkeeper Dave Tomare has signed a new contract for the 2027 OFC Pro League season, retaining one of the club’s most experienced Papua New Guinean players as preparations continue for their second professional campaign.

The announcement was made through the club’s official Facebook page, with Hekari confirming that Tomare, who served as their inaugural captain, will remain part of the squad next year.

“Our inaugural captain and goalkeeper from the inaugural OFC Professional League campaign, Dave Tomare, has re-signed with PNG Hekari FC for the 2027 OFC Pro League season!” the club announced.

The renewal represents an important step towards maintaining continuity following a difficult first season in Oceania’s new professional competition. PNG Hekari finished eighth in the regular-season standings, collecting eight points from 14 matches, before ending their campaign at the bottom of the Challengers Group.

Despite those results, Tomare was among the players who gained valuable experience competing against professional clubs from Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper featured in 12 of Hekari’s 17 matches during the inaugural campaign and wore the captain’s armband on five occasions. He had been selected for the leadership role by Brazilian coach Marcos Gusmão before the competition began in January.

His relationship with Hekari, however, goes back considerably further.

Tomare established himself in the club’s domestic setup before becoming an important member of the team that reached the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League final. He captained Hekari during that campaign, which saw the Papua New Guinean side return to the continental championship decider for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010.

The goalkeeper has also represented Papua New Guinea internationally, making his national-team debut in 2023 and subsequently featuring in the Kapuls’ FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Earlier this year, Tomare spoke to OFC Media about the impact football has had on his life and the significance of becoming a professional player.

Growing up in Morobe before moving to Bougainville, he initially spent more time around rugby league than football. He began playing football at the age of 11 and gradually developed into one of Papua New Guinea’s established goalkeepers.

“Football has given me a lot. It has changed everything for me,” he explained.

His selection for PNG Hekari’s inaugural professional squad represented another milestone in that journey.

“I’m proud to represent all my people. I represent my family, especially my daughter. Playing in the OFC Pro League has been one of the biggest achievements of my life,” Tomare said during the 2026 season.

The decision to retain him comes as Hekari undergo significant changes ahead of their second campaign.

In August, the club appointed Iranian-born American coach Matt Badiee as their new head coach, entrusting him with the responsibility of improving performances after a disappointing first year.

Badiee arrives with extensive experience in coaching education and player development, and has already outlined his ambition to make Hekari more competitive against Oceania’s strongest clubs.

Retaining an experienced goalkeeper familiar with the demands of the competition could provide an important foundation for that rebuilding process.

Tomare’s renewal also follows a period of transition for several Papua New Guinean players, some of whom spent time representing domestic clubs in other Pacific countries after the inaugural professional season.

For Hekari, establishing a stable core of experienced players alongside new additions will be important as the club attempts to improve its results in 2027.

The second OFC Pro League season is scheduled to begin on January 22, with matches again taking place across several Pacific nations and Australia.

A revised knockout format will also give all eight participating clubs an opportunity to compete in the final stages, which will conclude at the National Stadium in Honiara on June 6.

Although Hekari’s first professional campaign fell short of expectations, Tomare has already experienced some of the most important moments in the club’s recent history, from the continental final in 2025 to captaining Papua New Guinea’s first professional football team.

His renewed contract ensures that he will have another opportunity to help PNG Hekari establish themselves in Oceania’s professional era.

Rovu Boyers reflects on Solomon Islands’ unbeaten MSG Cup campaign: “Plenty to learn, plenty to build on”

Solomon Islands international Rovu Boyers has expressed pride in his national team’s performances at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, highlighting the squad’s resilience and potential despite missing out on a place in the final. The 23-year-old midfielder shared a personal message on social media, reflecting on the disappointment of the result, the importance of his faith and his belief in the team’s future.

The Bonitos were the only side to finish the tournament’s round-robin stage undefeated, recording one victory and three draws in four matches. However, their six points were insufficient to reach the final, with Vanuatu and Fiji finishing one point ahead. Solomon Islands drew 3-3 against both eventual finalists, defeated New Caledonia 2-0 and concluded their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Papua New Guinea.

“Grateful to God and proud of this team. The only team to finish MSG unbeaten, and although the outcome wasn’t what we hoped, we showed the promise we have together,” Boyers wrote on Facebook.

His message also revealed the personal importance of the experience. The midfielder, who represented South Island United in the inaugural OFC Pro League before joining Christchurch United on loan in June, credited his religious faith with helping him through the challenges of international football.

“Through every challenge, my faith gave me strength to keep going and give what I could for the team and our country,” he continued.

Under Australian coach Ben Cahn, Solomon Islands have been working to establish a new national-team identity while integrating emerging talents alongside more experienced internationals. The MSG Cup provided encouraging performances, particularly the comebacks against Fiji and Vanuatu, although the inability to convert draws into victories ultimately prevented the team from competing for the trophy.

The competition also demonstrated how narrow the margins were between the leading Melanesian nations. Solomon Islands finished with nine goals scored and a positive goal difference of two, matching Fiji’s goal difference. The hosts eventually claimed the championship with a 1-0 victory over Vanuatu in the final.

Despite the disappointment, Boyers preferred to focus on what the national team could take from the experience, thanking supporters and recognising the work still ahead.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us. Plenty to learn, plenty to build on, and grateful to be part of this journey,” he concluded, accompanying his message with a passage from 2 Corinthians 12:9.

For Boyers and his teammates, the MSG Cup ended without a trophy, but their unbeaten campaign offered encouragement for the next stage of Solomon Islands football. The challenge now will be turning those competitive performances into the victories needed to compete for regional titles.

Hassan Ramazani reflects on Australia Cup triumph and sees brighter future for Vanuatu football

Australian defender Hassan Ramazani has described winning the Australia Cup with South Melbourne FC as a dream come true, while expressing his determination to return to Vanuatu United and help the club challenge for the OFC Pro League title in 2027. Speaking exclusively to Oceania Football Center, the 25-year-old reflected on a remarkable year that saw him experience professional football in the Pacific Islands before becoming part of one of the biggest achievements in Australian domestic football.

South Melbourne made history on Saturday, 10 October, becoming the first club from outside the A-League to win the Australia Cup. The Victorian side defeated Melbourne Victory 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at AAMI Park, with Ramazani entering the final in the 83rd minute. The defender had also played an important role in the club’s journey to the final, providing the assist for Bul Juach’s second goal in the 3-1 semifinal victory over Lions FC.

For Ramazani, who joined South Melbourne on loan from Vanuatu United in July, lifting the trophy represented the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

“Growing up, I always dreamt of winning major trophies, and to have actually done that feels unreal. To participate in the Australia Cup final was already a proud moment for me, but to go on and win it, as well as be part of history, makes it that much more special,” he told OFCe.

Before returning to Australian domestic football, Ramazani had established himself as one of Vanuatu United’s most consistent performers during the inaugural OFC Pro League season. His performances earned him selection in the competition’s Team of the Season and attracted the attention of South Melbourne, the club that had eliminated Vanuatu United with a 4-0 victory in the semifinals.

The experience was particularly meaningful for the former Brisbane Roar defender, who described his time in Vanuatu as his first opportunity to play as a full-time professional footballer.

“My first season with Vanuatu United FC was incredible. It was a special time for me personally, playing as a full-time professional footballer for the first time in my career. We fell short in the semifinals, but it was still a great achievement for the club and country, and something we should be proud of,” he explained.

“I got the opportunity to join South Melbourne FC, a club with great history that knows how to win. Learning from them has been an eye-opener, especially after winning the Australia Cup.”

Despite his success in Australia, Ramazani remains committed to Vanuatu United and is looking forward to his second campaign with the club. He believes the encouragement received from supporters throughout the inaugural season can become an important motivation as the team attempts to improve on its semifinal appearance.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Vanuatu for my second season to join a talented group. Inspiration comes from our Vanuatu fanbase around Oceania and possibly around the world. They support us week in, week out, and to bring home a trophy for them would be incredible. I hope we can do that this OFC season,” he said.

Having experienced both Australian football and the emerging professional environment in the Pacific, Ramazani also offered his perspective on the technical differences between the two regions. While acknowledging that a considerable gap currently exists, he believes it is largely connected to the resources and opportunities available to players rather than an absence of talent.

“At the moment, the gap in technical quality is large, but a lot of factors contribute to that. There is no doubt that there are talented players in the Pacific Islands. The difference is that Australia has better facilities, coaches from different parts of the world and many football clubs that train three to five days a week,” he explained.

“If these things are implemented in the Pacific Islands, the gap will start to close bit by bit, and the technical quality will improve.”

His assessment comes from a player who has experienced the NPL system and A-League football before joining the first professional league involving clubs from across Oceania. Ramazani also believes South Melbourne’s Australia Cup victory demonstrates that the quality available outside Australia’s top division should not be underestimated.

“There are NPL clubs with so many talented players who are able to compete at the highest level. That’s been proven by the number of cup upsets that have happened, not just this year but in previous years as well. From lower-division clubs making it to Australia Cup finals to eventually seeing a club like South Melbourne FC winning it, the quality is definitely there and will continue to improve,” he said.

When discussing what the OFC Pro League needs to become a stronger competition in 2027, Ramazani preferred to emphasise the importance of gradual development rather than identifying immediate changes. For the Australian defender, the first season has already demonstrated the competition’s potential to provide professional opportunities and greater exposure for players.

“It’s hard to say right now because the league is still in its beginning stages. I believe the first season was a success, and it gave players such as myself and others opportunities to be seen. I’m sure that as the league continues year by year, we’ll be able to identify what we can improve, and I’m confident it will,” he concluded.

Ramazani’s journey from Vanuatu United to an Australia Cup winner provides a practical example of the opportunities created by the OFC Pro League beyond the competition itself. His performances in Oceania opened the door to South Melbourne, where he gained experience and helped the club secure a major national trophy. Now, with his return to Vanuatu United planned for 2027, he hopes to take that experience back to the Pacific and contribute to the club’s pursuit of its first professional title.

From homemade footballs to the world stage: Micah Lea’alafa shares the remarkable story of his career

Before representing Solomon Islands in football and futsal, winning the OFC Champions League with Auckland City and becoming a professional footballer in South Africa, Micah Lea’alafa had to make his own footballs. Sometimes an empty plastic bottle was enough. On other occasions, he used old floaters or coconut leaves. Now 35, the Solomon Islands international has shared those memories in an extensive autobiographical Facebook post titled From a Homemade Ball to the World Stage, reflecting on his childhood, football career and the Christian faith that has accompanied him throughout his life.

Lea’alafa traces his family roots to East Kwaio and Lau in Malaita Province. He recalls growing up without proper footballs or ideal playing conditions, but with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the game alongside his friends. His education took him through several schools, including St John, Lau Valley, Vura, Panatina High School and Honiara High School. School grounds became important places for his development, long before organised football opened opportunities beyond Solomon Islands.

Futsal was another defining influence. Lea’alafa describes how the smaller playing spaces helped develop his close control, creativity and ability to make decisions under pressure. Those qualities eventually became characteristic of his football career. Representing Solomon Islands at the FIFA Futsal World Cup was among his earliest experiences on the international stage, providing opportunities that had once seemed unimaginable for a boy accustomed to making footballs from everyday materials.

His development in domestic football took him through KOSSA and Solomon Warriors before he moved to Vanuatu to represent Amicale. The journey was not without disappointment, including an unsuccessful trial in Italy, but another opportunity emerged in 2015 when he joined Auckland City in New Zealand. His time with the Navy Blues became one of the most successful periods of his career, highlighted by the 2016 OFC Champions League title. Lea’alafa scored twice in Auckland City’s 3-0 victory over Team Wellington in the final and received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

The achievements with Auckland City also took him to the FIFA Club World Cup, while his international football career developed further with Solomon Islands. In July 2019, at the age of 28, Lea’alafa achieved another ambition by signing his first professional contract with South African Premiership club Maritzburg United. He later continued his career in Australia, representing clubs including Wynnum District, FK Beograd and Northern Demons. More recently, he was part of the Pontian Eagles squad that secured the 2026 State League 2 North premiership in South Australia.

Throughout his autobiography, Lea’alafa repeatedly credits his faith and family for helping him through both the successful and difficult periods of his career. His account is as much a personal testimony as a sporting retrospective, with biblical passages accompanying the different chapters. He also reflects on his responsibilities as a husband and father, his pride in representing Solomon Islands and his desire to encourage younger generations.

His message to aspiring footballers is particularly significant for a country where talented youngsters can face limited resources and difficult pathways into professional football. “Don’t let your beginning determine your ending,” he wrote, encouraging young players to continue working and believing in their ambitions regardless of their circumstances.

The autobiography closes with a prayer of gratitude for the opportunities, achievements and disappointments that have shaped his life. For Lea’alafa, the journey is ultimately about more than the trophies he has won or the countries where he has played. As he reflects on the distance travelled from those early days, he returns to the image that began his story: “I was simply a boy with a homemade ball and a dream.”

Fiji trio gain professional football experience with Auckland FC through OFC placement programme

Three Fijian footballers are gaining further exposure to professional football in New Zealand, with Maikah Dau, Ryan Naresh and Sterling Vasconcellos taking part in a training programme with A-League club Auckland FC.

The players are participating in the OFC Player Placement Programme 2026, accompanied by Fiji national assistant coach Marika Rodu. According to the Fiji Football Association, the trio have completed their initial training session and are now progressing through the second phase of the programme.

The initiative provides young Pacific footballers with access to professional coaching environments, allowing them to develop their technical abilities, tactical understanding and familiarity with the demands of football at a higher level. Rodu is also expected to benefit from observing Auckland FC’s coaching methods and player development structures.

All three players were part of Bula FC’s squad during the inaugural OFC Pro League season earlier this year. Their experience with the Fijian professional club has already provided an introduction to higher training and competitive standards, while the Auckland placement offers an opportunity to work within a different professional environment.

However, the programme also comes shortly after another Fijian prospect, Delon Shankar, lost his opportunity to participate following disciplinary action by the Fiji FA.

The 19-year-old Rewa defender had initially been nominated for an OFC placement in Auckland, but his selection was withdrawn after he travelled to New Zealand to participate in a football tournament without informing national-team officials while he was supposed to be undergoing rehabilitation. According to FijiLive, Vasconcellos was subsequently named as his replacement.

Although Shankar was later cleared to participate in the FMF Inter-District Championship under a one-year good-behaviour bond, his placement opportunity and an offer from Bula FC were withdrawn. The situation has interrupted his progress towards further professional opportunities, despite his experience with Bula FC and previous involvement in Fiji’s national teams.

For Dau, Naresh and Vasconcellos, the current placement provides another opportunity to build on their experience in the OFC Pro League. The programme is part of the Oceania Football Confederation’s efforts to create stronger development pathways for Pacific players, connecting emerging talent with established professional football environments.

Patrick Joseph’s remarkable nine-title run: From Rewa’s IDC hero to Ba’s historic quadruple

Fiji international Patrick Joseph has established an extraordinary record of success in domestic football, collecting nine trophies across 2025 and 2026 while representing Rewa and Ba. Seven of those titles have come within the past 12 months, with the midfielder’s latest achievement arriving on Sunday as Ba defeated Navua 2-0 to complete a historic clean sweep of Fiji’s four major domestic competitions.

The 28-year-old’s remarkable sequence began with Rewa in February 2025, when the Delta Tigers defeated Labasa to claim the Champion vs Champion title. Rewa went on to win the Extra Premier League and the Inter-District Championship before ending the year with their first Pacific Community Cup triumph in New Zealand, defeating Auckland All Stars on penalties. Joseph played a particularly important role in the IDC success, scoring the only goal from the penalty spot in the final against Ba at Govind Park, ending Rewa’s 15-year wait for the trophy.

His success continued into 2026, when he captained Rewa to another Champion vs Champion title in February. However, his career took an interesting turn during the mid-season transfer window in June. Joseph left the Delta Tigers to join Ba, the very club he had denied the IDC championship just eight months earlier. The move formed part of an ambitious recruitment campaign that also brought John Orobulu, David Supa and John Alick to the Men in Black.

The decision proved successful for both player and club. Joseph joined Ba in time for the Fiji FACT, helping the team end a 16-year drought in the competition. The Extra Premier League championship followed in August, before Ba defeated his former club Rewa 2-1 in September’s Battle of the Giants final to secure their third major trophy of the season.

Sunday’s IDC final provided a particularly fitting conclusion to Joseph’s extraordinary run. Almost exactly one year after scoring the penalty that gave Rewa the title against Ba, he found himself representing the Men in Black in another championship decider. With the match against Navua still goalless after 80 minutes, Joseph delivered a free kick into the penalty area that goalkeeper Tevita Ravia failed to control, allowing David Supa to score the opening goal. Etonia Dogalau subsequently converted a penalty to seal the 2-0 victory and complete Ba’s quadruple.

The result brought Joseph’s tally to five trophies in 2026, including the Champion vs Champion title won with Rewa before his transfer, following four titles with the Delta Tigers in 2025. His nine-trophy collection in approximately 20 months represents an exceptional period in the career of a player who has also represented Fiji internationally.

Joseph’s performances have not gone unnoticed by supporters. His displays during Ba’s successful Battle of the Giants campaign generated considerable discussion when he was omitted from Fiji’s squad for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in September, with several fans questioning his absence despite his strong domestic form.

For Ba, the IDC victory completed a historic season and their first four-title sweep in 20 years. For Joseph, it added another remarkable chapter to an already successful career. In October 2025, he was celebrating an IDC victory over Ba in Rewa colours. Twelve months later, he was lifting the same trophy with the Men in Black, having helped both clubs enjoy some of their most successful campaigns in recent years.

From futsal’s best player to S-League double: Alvin Hou enjoys remarkable weekend in Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands international Alvin Hou enjoyed an outstanding weekend across two different forms of football, receiving the Golden Ball award as the best player of the 2026 SIFF Super Futsal League with SALT FC before scoring twice for Malaita Kingz in their 5-1 victory over Ghupo FC in the Solomon Islands S-League.

Hou’s individual recognition followed an exceptional futsal campaign for SALT, who completed a historic domestic double by winning both the regular league championship and the Top 8 Championship. The Honiara-based club won all 18 league matches before defeating Haura FC 11-3 in Friday’s grand final at Friendship Hall. The Solomon Islands Football Federation confirmed Hou’s Golden Ball award in its announcement on Saturday.

The experienced player then demonstrated his abilities in the eleven-a-side game, making an immediate impact for Malaita Kingz at Lawson Tama Stadium. Introduced from the bench in the 64th minute against Ghupo, Hou converted a penalty just three minutes later before adding his second goal in the 84th minute. Adrian Abae, Ben Fox and Alfia Aunga were the other scorers as Malaita Kingz secured an emphatic victory.

The performance came during an impressive spell for Malaita Kingz, who had defeated Honiara City 7-0 in midweek. Their two victories produced 12 goals and took the club to the top of the provisional S-League standings with 23 points from 12 matches.

Hou’s achievements also reflect his established reputation in regional futsal. In September 2025, he received the Golden Ball at the OFC Futsal Men’s Cup in Fiji, helping Solomon Islands secure the continental title.

His latest performances have provided another example of his versatility, combining individual recognition in futsal with a decisive contribution in domestic football during the same weekend.

Miramar Rangers take NZ National League lead as Napier stun Cashmere and Auckland City rescue dramatic draw

Miramar Rangers moved to the top of the New Zealand National League Championship after a convincing 4-1 victory over Ferrymead Bays, while Napier City Rovers produced one of the biggest surprises of the season by defeating previously unbeaten Cashmere Technical 2-1. The third round also featured a dramatic comeback from Auckland City against Wellington Olympic in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final, with the defending champions scoring deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw.

Miramar entered the weekend among the early contenders and strengthened their position with an impressive performance in Christchurch. Adam Hewson opened the scoring against Ferrymead Bays in the 13th minute, and Nicolas Bobadilla doubled the advantage just four minutes later. Liam Stanton pulled one back for the hosts in the 26th minute, but Owen Smith restored Miramar’s two-goal advantage shortly before half-time. Smith completed his brace in the 88th minute, sealing a comfortable 4-1 victory.

The result takes Miramar to seven points from three matches, maintaining their unbeaten start to the championship. Having opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Napier City Rovers before overcoming Auckland FC Reserves 2-1, the Wellington side have now recorded consecutive victories and established themselves as early leaders in the national phase.

Perhaps the most surprising result came at Bluewater Stadium, where Napier City Rovers recovered from a goal down to defeat Cashmere Technical 2-1. The visitors arrived in Napier following two extraordinary victories, having beaten Northern League champions Birkenhead United 4-0 before dismantling Wellington Phoenix Reserves 10-0 in the previous round. With 14 goals scored and none conceded, Cashmere appeared to be the competition’s strongest side heading into the weekend.

Garbhan Coughlan, who had scored four times against Wellington Phoenix Reserves, continued his remarkable form by putting Cashmere ahead in the 37th minute. However, Napier responded after the interval through Callum Cooke, who equalised in the 74th minute before completing the turnaround in the 86th. The victory was particularly important for Napier after their humiliating 7-1 defeat to Auckland United a week earlier, while Cashmere suffered their first defeat and conceded their first goals of the championship.

Another major encounter took place at Kiwitea Street, where Auckland City and Wellington Olympic renewed their rivalry in a repeat of the 2025 National League Grand Final. Last year’s championship decider had ended 2-2 before Auckland City prevailed on penalties, and Saturday’s meeting produced another dramatic contest between two of New Zealand’s most successful clubs.

Wellington Olympic took control during the first half, with Gavin Hoy opening the scoring in the 17th minute before doubling the visitors’ advantage with a corner curled directly into the net in the 39th. Auckland City responded after the break through Somali international Bilal Habib, who scored his first goal for the club with a superb free-kick in the 58th minute. Olympic remained dangerous on the counterattack, but goalkeeper Louie Caunter made several important saves to keep the hosts in contention.

Those interventions proved decisive when Dylan Manickum struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time, firing into the roof of the net to rescue a 2-2 draw. The result maintained Auckland City’s unbeaten start to the competition and also allowed the Navy Blues to retain the Mediterranean Cup, a trophy contested between clubs with Croatian and Greek community connections.

Auckland United were also involved in a dramatic finish, sharing the points with Auckland FC Reserves following another 2-2 draw. Harley Hill gave the young Auckland FC side the lead in the 34th minute, but Julian Barrios Cristales equalised for United in the 75th. Adama Coulibaly appeared to have completed the comeback when he put United ahead in the 87th minute, only for Charlie Hale to score four minutes into stoppage time and secure Auckland FC Reserves’ first point of the campaign.

Birkenhead United also celebrated their first victory of the national phase, defeating Wellington Phoenix Reserves 1-0 at Fraser Park. Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit scored the only goal in the 66th minute, helping the Northern League champions recover from their opening-round defeat to Cashmere Technical. Wellington Phoenix Reserves remain without a victory after three matches, having conceded 12 goals during the opening rounds.

Following the weekend’s results, Miramar Rangers lead the standings with seven points from three matches, one ahead of Cashmere Technical, who remain second despite their defeat. Auckland United occupy third place with five points, while defending champions Auckland City sit fourth with four points from only two appearances. Wellington Olympic, Ferrymead Bays and Napier City Rovers also have four points, although all three have played one match more than Auckland City.

The differences in matches played remain important at this early stage. Auckland City and Birkenhead United have both completed just two fixtures, while Eastern Suburbs also have a game in hand after sitting out Round Three. Cashmere Technical, meanwhile, still possess the competition’s strongest goal difference at +13 despite their setback in Napier.

After a second round dominated by extraordinary attacking performances, the latest weekend demonstrated how quickly the balance can change in the National League. Cashmere’s first defeat has opened the door for Miramar to take the lead, while Auckland City remain well positioned with a game in hand. With several contenders separated by narrow margins, the battle for places in the championship final is beginning to take shape.