The wait is finally over.
After 34 years of trying, Makira-Ulawa Real Kakamora have written their name into Solomon Islands football history books with a stunning 3-0 victory over heavyweights Malaita Eagles in the grand final of the 2025 Solomon Cup at the National Stadium in Honiara, Friday.
It’s the first time since the competition’s inception in 1991 that the Kakamora have lifted the prestigious trophy — and they did it in emphatic style in front of a roaring crowd.
In a match that electrified a packed stadium and delivered high drama, Kakamora’s performance was nothing short of heroic — a perfect blend of discipline, hunger, and tactical brilliance.
From the opening whistle, Kakamora made their intentions clear. Fueled by a passionate crowd and decades of near-misses, they attacked with urgency and precision and an aim to create history for their province and people.
For the second consecutive tournament — 2022 and now 2025 — these two giants clashed in the Solomon Cup grand final, setting the stage for a fiery rematch. In the last Solomon Cup in 2022, Malaita Eagles won 2-1 and snatched the title for the fifth time.
🏆 Solomon Cup – Winners by Year (Updated)
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Honiara Warriors | 4–2 | Western Turtles | AET |
| 1992 | Honiara Warriors | 4–0 | Guadalcanal Hornets | |
| 1993 | – | – | – | Abandoned |
| 1994 | Guadalcanal Hornets | 0–0 (7–6 pens) | Honiara Warriors | |
| 1995 | – | – | – | No competition |
| 1996 | Honiara Warriors | 2–0 | Malaita Eagles | |
| 1997 | Malaita Eagles | 3–2 | Guadalcanal Hornets | |
| 1998 | Honiara Warriors | 1–0 | Malaita Eagles | |
| 1999 | Malaita Eagles | 1–0 | Temotu Arrows | |
| 2000–04 | – | – | – | No competition |
| 2005 | Honiara Warriors | 2–1 | Temotu Arrows | AET |
| 2006 | – | – | – | No competition |
| 2007 | East Honiara Lions | 1–0 | Central Honiara Eels | U-23 Tournament |
| 2008 | – | – | – | No competition |
| 2009 | Malaita Eagles | 8–0 | Guadalcanal Hornets | |
| 2010–16 | – | – | – | No competition |
| 2017 | Malaita Eagles | 2–1 | Central Shields | |
| 2018–19 | – | – | – | No competition |
| 2020 | Western Tomoko | 1–0 | Malaita Eagles | |
| 2022 | Malaita Eagles | 2–1 | Makira-Ulawa Kakamora | |
| 2025 | Makira-Ulawa Kakamora | 3-0 | Malaita Eagles |
It also marked just the second time in history that Kakamora reached the grand final.
In a pulsating contest, both sides carved out chances, with the match hanging in the balance until decisive moments tipped the scale.
The Malaita Eagles have made crucial attacks, with some smart plays from Ben Fox, Jerry Allen, Fred Anii, Jalex Lulu, and Trevor Suluia. But Kakamora signalled their intent with composed, disciplined football from the outset.
How Kakamora Seized Their Moment
Their breakthrough came in the 41st minute through a moment of brilliance and opportunism from striker Andrew Hanua.
The move started deep in Kakamora territory. After Eagles’ Jerry Allen had a chance blocked by Gordon Iro, the ball went out for a goal kick.
Kakamora goalkeeper David Hori launched a long ball from the restart, met by a header in midfield, then nodded forward again by Scott Aharo, sending it over the heads of two Eagles defenders.
Hanua latched onto the bouncing ball and spotted Eagles’ keeper David Sanga off his line — and coolly chipped it from outside the 18-yard box into the back of the net.
Just minutes later, deep into first-half stoppage time, Kakamora Captain, Jeffery Bule doubled the lead with a strike from outside the box.
He picked up a pass from his defender inside the centre circle, linked up with Clifford Fafale for a quick one-two, and unleashed a shot that fizzed past the right post of Sanga to make it 2–0.
The scoreline was 2-0 as both teams went for the breather.
In the second half, the Malaita Eagles tried to regroup, but the Kakamora defence, led by Solomon Islands rising star Gordon Iro and keeper Hori, stood firm against repeated attacks.
The final blow came in the 76th minute, and again it was Hanua who delivered.
A smart delivery from Bule inside the centre circle found Hanua in stride. He dances with the ball deftly to wrong-foot an Eagles‘ defender before placing his finish past substitute goalkeeper Manasseh Faifu.
The third goal was the final nail to the coffin which gave Makira-Ulawa the historic win.
Coach Dagi: We have made history
After the final whistle, a jubilant Kluivert Jr Dagi, head coach of Kakamora and a former player himself, was full of emotions.
“I am speechless. My boys have done it. We have made history,” Dagi said, in a post match interview.
He added, to make history, you must work hard to earn it.
“We sacrificed for it, and now we are champions this year.”
“The secret to our win is staying humble,” said the proud Makira-Ulawa coach.
Dagi went on to express that this historic victory is waiting for him.
“This victory waits for me. I played for this team in past Solomon Cups and now returned as head coach — this is my time to prove myself and we’ve done it.”
He also dedicated the win to supporters back home in Makira-Ulawa and had a pointed message for critics, as the team has been heavily criticised before travelling to Honiara for the Solomon Cup.
“If you don’t know anything about football, don’t talk about football.
“To the critics — this victory is for you. Your words made me push harder,” the former Makira-Ulawa Kakamora player said.
Coach Oiaka: We created chances, but just couldn’t finish
Meanwhile, Malaita Eagles head coach Terry Oiaka showed grace in defeat.
“First, I have to congratulate Makira-Ulawa. They deserve it.
“It’s their first time and they had an outstanding campaign,” Oiaka told reporters in a post-match interview.
He added, they should have killed the game in the first half with the chances they had, but they didn’t take them.
“They (Makira-Ulawa) had two chances in the first-half and scored, and added another in the second half.”
The longtime Malaita Eagles coach also admitted the frustration got to his players.
“We kept creating, but couldn’t score. Maybe the pressure, the crowd… but this is football. We have to accept the result.”
Oiaka also noted that playing in front of such a massive crowd was a new experience for his young squad.
“This is the first time we’ve played in front of such a huge crowd. The boys will learn from it.”
From Doubts to Glory: Kakamora Silences Critics
Makira-Ulawa’s road to glory wasn’t without its hurdles. Leading up to the tournament, the team faced criticism from people at home. Critics have questioned their preparedness, chemistry, and even their ability to compete against traditional powerhouses like Malaita Eagles.
The team also faced a major setback after being penalised by the SIFF Disciplinary Committee for breaching player eligibility rules. The team was found guilty of fielding more than the permitted number of guest players in their Pool match against Western Tomoko, resulting in a 3–0 forfeit loss and a three-point deduction.
The ruling stirred controversy, forced a delay in the semi-final schedule, and cast serious doubt on Makira-Ulawa’s tournament future.
Yet, in a remarkable turnaround, the underdog side overcame the odds, silenced critics, and went on to win the 2025 Solomon Cup edition.
Makira-Ulawa players and officials parading after the final whistle at the National Stadium in Honiara on Friday 25 July 2025.
Photo: Honiara Football Association
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