Football fans in Solomon Islands have something big to look forward to, with the official fixtures for the inaugural OFC Pro League released this week, confirming that Honiara’s National Stadium will host Round 4 of the competition.
The new OFC Pro League kicks off on 17 January in Auckland, New Zealand, marking an important step forward for football in the Pacific. The league will use a circuit-style format, with matches played across six venues in five countries including Solomon Islands’ National Stadium.
Honiara’s Round 4 will run from 14–19 March and will feature eight matches over six days, giving local fans the chance to witness top-level club football on home soil.
Eight teams will take part in the first season, playing each other twice in a double round-robin format. After these circuit rounds, the competition will split into two groups, the Leaders Playoff Group and the Challengers Playoff Group.
The Leaders Playoff Group will involve the top four teams fighting for three semi-final spots.
The Challengers Playoff Group will feature the bottom four teams, with only the group winner earning a playoff against the fourth-placed team from the Leaders Group for the final semi-final spot.
The semi-finals and grand final will be played as single-leg matches at a central venue, with Eden Park in Auckland selected to host the finals for the first season.
The champion of the OFC Pro League will qualify for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and gain a pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Meanwhile adding to the excitement, the country’s first-ever professional club, Solomon Kings FC, will make its historic debut on 18 January against Papua New Guinea’s PNG Hekari FC at Eden Park.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
