PNG Hosts Historic OFC Pro League Round as Professional Football Arrives

Port Moresby will step onto the professional football map this week as PNG hosts Round Two of the OFC Pro League, marking a major milestone for the country’s domestic game.

Eight of the Pacific region’s top clubs are arriving in the capital ahead of matches scheduled from January 31 to February 8 at the Santos National Football Stadium, where elite football will be staged at professional standards for the first time in PNG.

See the rounds on this image

Graphics by OFC

Heavyweights Auckland FC and South Melbourne headline the visiting teams, with the PNG Football Association (PNGFA) preparing to deliver a week of high-intensity fixtures that reflect the evolving standards of the regional competition.

PNGFA President and OFC Board member John Kapi Natto described the occasion as the result of years of planning and regional collaboration.

“It’s a dream come true for many,” Kapi Natto said. “Round one kicked off already and the second round is coming to Papua New Guinea.”

Kapi Natto acknowledged the challenges involved in elevating local football to a professional level, noting the contrast in speed and intensity witnessed during earlier matches in New Zealand.

“As someone who sits on the OFC Board, this is something that we are building and it is not easy,” he said.

On the field, PNG Hekari face a demanding task after returning from Auckland where they experienced the pace of professional football firsthand. The club currently sits at the bottom of the standings and will be under pressure when they meet competition leaders Auckland FC on Saturday.

The arrival of Auckland FC begins tomorrow, with Vanuatu United, Tahiti United and Solomon Kings expected to land later in the week as the tournament gathers momentum.

Tickets are available through Post PNG outlets in Port Moresby and online via TicketMastas, while fans outside the capital can follow live coverage on NBCTV and NBC Radio.

“I saw the level of games in Auckland and it’s different from what we are used to with the pace, so it’s going to be exciting.”