BY JOY OFASIA
The captain of the Solomon Islands women’s national football team, Ileen Moffet Pegi, has described her team’s recent victory in the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup as a “dream come true” — both for her and for the country.
The historic win serves as a symbol of hope and inspiration for future generations of female footballers in the country.
In an exclusive interview with SOLOMON WOMEN, Pegi expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead the team to its historic win.
“As the captain of the Solomon women’s national team, I am emotionally thankful and grateful to lead the team to reach the final of the OFC Women’s title as champions,” said Pegi. “I am proud of the team because this was our big dream that has come true — not just for myself, but for the whole team and for the country.”
The 33-year-old footballer, who hails from both Western and Malaita provinces, has long been a passionate player for her country. She shared how the win reflects more than just football — it’s about unity, strength, and national pride.
“I thank God for the strength to win the victory, even though we faced many challenges and went through ups and downs,” she said. “This is a big achievement for me as a footballer.”
Pegi also reflected on the emotional and cultural highlights of the tournament, noting how football has the power to unite people from all walks of life.
“One of the major highlights in the tournament was seeing how determined and united we were,” she said. “Football brought together different cultures and backgrounds — we played as one, supporting each other, believing in each other, and pushing through as a team.”
The team’s spirit and determination were key to their success, Pegi added, noting how important it is to keep developing women’s football in the Solomon Islands.
“As the captain, I am humbly proud to represent my country and to lead this amazing team. This victory is just the beginning. We are moving women’s football forward,” she said.
