ROOSTER Chicken Ba Women FC’s OFC Women’s Champions League dream came to an end yesterday after a crushing 1-6 defeat at the hands of Papua New Guinea’s Hekari Women FC in the first semi-final at Stade Pater in Papeete.
Despite the heavy loss, Ba Women FC coach and captain Charlene Lockington remained positive.
“I’m proud of the girls. Thank God for the whole tournament, we give all honor and glory to Him.
“We reached the semi-final, and that’s a big achievement for us. We thank our parents, fans, and sponsors. We had some players out injured but we hope to return next year stronger,” Lockington said.
Lockington is confident Ba will qualify again next year.
“Most definitely, we’ll come back next year with a stronger team.”
Despite going into the break locked at 1-1, Ba were overpowered in the second half by a rampant Hekari side led by their clinical forward, Marie Kaipu, and hat-trick hero Nenny Elipas.
Hekari struck early in the fifth minute when Ba goalkeeper Mereseni Waqali’s error gifted Elipas the opening goal. Ba responded with resilience and earned a penalty midway through the first half after a foul by Hekari’s goalkeeper Gloria Laeli. Skipper Luisa Tamanitoakula stepped up confidently to slot home the equaliser and give Ba a lifeline.
Waqali made amends for her early mistake with two crucial saves just before the break, denying both Kaipu and Michaelyne Butubu, keeping Ba in the game at halftime.
But it was all Hekari in the second spell.
Kaipu wasted no time iBa exits the tournament with heads held high, having reached the semi-final in only their first OFC Women’s Champions League appearance a milestone that sets a solid foundation for future campaigns.
