Solomon Kings FC

Solomon Kings
Full nameSolomon Kings Football Club
Short nameSKFC
Founded2025 (2025)
GroundNational Stadium
Capacity10,000
ChairmanDon Marahare
ManagerBen Cahn
LeagueOFC Professional League
2026TBD
WebsiteWebsite

Solomon Kings Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Honiara on the Solomon Islands. They began playing in the inaugural season of the OFC Professional League (OFCPL).

History

In February 2025, the Oceania Football Confederation put out a call for applications for clubs wishing to participate in the inaugural season of the OFC Professional League (OFCPL) in 2026. At least one club from the Solomon Islands had expressed interest when the process began. Clubs had until June 2025 to submit their applications to the confederation for consideration with eight slots available for clubs from around Oceania and Australia available for the first season.[1] In early July 2025, Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, announced that the national government, Solomon Islands Football Federation, and Australian club Wynnum Wolves had created a partnership to create the Solomons' first professional club, Solomon Kings, with the goal of playing in the region's new professional league. The club was expected to improve health and well-being in young people; develop the sport in the Solomon Islands; and provide pathways to higher leagues, including to Borussia Dortmund through Wynnum Wolves' partnership.[2][3] Wynnum Wolves had been connected with football in the Solomon Islands since the mid-1990s when the club traveled to the nation to tour and play exhibition matches.[4] At the time of announcement, Solomon Kings was one of only two that had publicly announced their desire to join the league, along with Wellington Phoenix.[5]

Solomon Kings's application was the only inquiry submitted to the OFC from the Solomon Islands. However, the club would still need to demonstrate that it met all of the confederation's professional club licensing requirements.[6][7] On 29 August 2025, the OFC announced its list of eight "preferred" clubs which had tentatively been accepted into the league. The clubs would have to pass a final stage of the licensing and compliance process before the season kicked off in January 2026 to receive final approval.[8][9] Prior to the announcement, newly announced chairman Don Marahare indicated that the club would need financial assistance and planned to reach out to the governments of Australia and the China for support.[10] On 28 October 2025, It was revealed that the Solomon Kings were accepted and were listed among the final 8 teams that will play in the OFC Pro League.[11]

Identity

The club's name is an homage to biblical King Solomon for whom the country is named. The club's colors of yellow and black mirror its partner club Wynnum Wolves.[10]

Domestic history

Key

  Champion   Runners-up   3rd place

Season League Notes
Div. Pos. Pl. W D L P Playoffs
2026 OFCPL

Players

First-team squad

As of 13 January 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  SOL Philip Mango
2 DF  SOL David Supa
4 DF  SOL Gordon Iro
5 DF  SOL Javin Wae
6 MF  SOL Atkin Kaua
7 FW  SOL Raphael Lea'i
8 DF  SOL Clivert Sam
9 FW  SOL Bobby Leslie
10 FW  AUS Jez Lofthouse
11 FW  SOL Gagame Feni
12 GK  SOL Junior Petua
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 MF  SOL Ben Fox
14 DF  SOL Junior David
15 MF  SOL William Komasi
16 FW  SOL Martin Koto
17 FW  SOL Don Keana
18 FW  SOL Clifford Fafale
19 FW  SOL Junior Fordney
21 FW  SOL Barrie Limoki
23 GK  SOL Eric Wanega
26 MF  SOL Hudson Oreinima
27 MF  JPN Sota Higashide
29 DF  SOL Jayroll Patty

References

  1. ^ Tora, Iliesa. "Teams invited to apply for OFC pro-league spots ahead of 2026 kick-off". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  2. ^ "PM SUPPORTS FOOTBALL COOPERATION BETWEEN WYNNUM WOLVES FC AND SIFF". Government of the Solomon. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  3. ^ "PM supports football cooperation between Wynnum Wolves FC and SIFF". Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Enter the Kings". Wynnum Wolves FC. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Solomon Islands reveal plans for club seeking to join OFC Professional League". Friends of Football NZ. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  6. ^ Tora, Iliesa. "Solomon King FC in contention for inaugural OFC Professional League". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  7. ^ Atfield, Cameron (29 August 2025). "Brisbane-backed Solomon Kings accepted into new competition". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Preferred clubs announced for historic OFC Professional League". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Solomon Kings FC Amongst 8 Preferred Clubs for Inaugural OFC Professional League". In Depth Solomons. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b Atfield, Cameron (16 August 2025). "After PNG, Australia's soft power game with China extends to Solomons". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  11. ^ Auckland, Fidelis Wasari in (29 October 2025). "OFC Pro League teams confirmed ahead of Auckland launch". Post Courier. Retrieved 29 October 2025.