Borneo F.C. Samarinda

Lore & Background

Borneo Samarinda was formed by former Putra Samarinda supporters who were dissatisfied with their team's lack of achievements. PT Nahusam Pratama Indonesia bought Perseba Super Bangkalan on 7 March 2014, which gave them a direct license to compete in the 2014 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, and changed their name to Pusamania Borneo Football Club. After beating PSGC Ciamis on penalties in the 2014 Liga Indonesia Premier Division semi-final, they were promoted to the Indonesia Super League. On 27 November 2014, Borneo won their first title by becoming champion of the 2014 Liga Indonesia Premier Division after beating Persiwa Wamena 2–1 in the final.

Reader's Guide

Borneo Samarinda's significance lies in its rapid rise from a club formed by disgruntled supporters to a national champion. The club won the 2023–24 Liga 1 league title, marking its first top-flight championship, and also secured the 2014 Liga Indonesia Premier Division title (second-tier era). It competed in the 2024–25 ASEAN Club Championship, its first official international tournament, and finished the 2025–26 Indonesia Super League as runners-up, qualifying for the 2026–27 AFC Challenge League group stage. The club's supporters, called Pusamania, are known for their passionate backing. The East Kalimantan derby against Persiba Balikpapan, the Papadaan derby against Barito Putera, and the Mahakam derby against Mitra Kukar are notable rivalries. Sponsorship deals with Suzuki and Bankaltim have supported the club's operations.

Did You Know?

• The club won its first title on 27 November 2014, beating Persiwa Wamena 2–1 in the final of the Liga Indonesia Premier Division.
• Borneo Samarinda's first official international tournament was the 2023–24 AFC Cup.
• The club's nickname, Pesut Etam, means 'Our Dolphins' in the local language.

Origins & the 2014 Breakthrough

The club's story begins with frustration. Supporters of Putra Samarinda, fed up with their team's inability to deliver trophies, decided to forge their own competitive path. In March 2014, PT Nahusam Pratama Indonesia acquired Perseba Super Bangkalan, securing a direct license to enter the 2014 Liga Indonesia Premier Division. The squad was rebranded as Pusamania Borneo Football Club, giving East Kalimantan a fresh identity built on ambition rather than legacy. That inaugural season proved to be a statement. Borneo navigated the semi-final with a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over PSGC Ciamis before dispatching Persiwa Wamena 2–1 in the final on 27 November 2014, claiming the league title and earning promotion to the Indonesia Super League. The achievement cemented the club's credibility almost overnight and set the tone for a project that refused to settle for mediocrity.

Domestic Dominance & the Trophy Cabinet

Borneo Samarinda's domestic record reflects a club that has steadily climbed Indonesia's football pyramid. Beyond their 2014 second-tier championship, the squad captured the 2023–24 Liga 1 regular-series title, marking their arrival at the summit of the top flight. They followed that with a runners-up finish in the 2025–26 Indonesia Super League, demonstrating sustained competitiveness at the highest domestic level. Their cup pedigree is equally notable: three appearances as finalists in the Indonesia President's Cup across 2017, 2022, and 2024 highlight a recurring near-miss narrative in knockout football, while a 2016 Piala Gubernur Kaltim victory added a regional honour to the shelf. The club's nickname, Pesut Etam, meaning 'Our Dolphins,' and their passionate supporter base, known collectively as Pusamania, have become inseparable from the identity that drives these campaigns season after season.

Stepping onto the Continental Stage

For a club rooted in East Kalimantan, the 2024–25 ASEAN Club Championship represented a genuine watershed. It marked Borneo Samarinda's first official foray into international competition, and the draw placed them in a demanding group alongside Thailand's Buriram United, Singapore's Lion City Sailors, Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur City, the Philippines' Kaya–Iloilo, and Vietnam's Công An Hà Nội. The campaign's early highlight arrived on 22 August 2024, when the dolphins delivered a commanding 3–0 home victory over Lion City Sailors, a result that underscored their capacity to compete confidently against regional neighbours. Their continental ambitions did not end there. By finishing as runners-up in the 2025–26 Indonesia Super League, the club earned a place in the 2026–27 AFC Challenge League group stage, extending their footprint into the broader Asian football landscape and signalling that Borneo's upward trajectory is far from plateaued.

Rivalries, Home Ground & Club Identity

Borneo Samarinda's place in East Kalimantan's football culture is defined by three fierce local rivalries. The East Kalimantan derby pits them against Persiba Balikpapan, while the Papadaan derby sees them clash with Barito Putera. The Mahakam derby, named after the river that flows past both Samarinda and Tenggarong, is contested against Mitra Kukar. These fixtures carry an intensity that transcends ordinary league matches and draws enormous local passion. On the home front, the club traditionally plays at Segiri Stadium in Samarinda, though a 2023 renovation forced a temporary relocation to Batakan Stadium in Balikpapan, with Sempaja Stadium serving as their training base during that period. Commercial partnerships have also shaped the club's profile: Suzuki committed to a two-year deal in April 2014, and Bankaltim became the shirt sponsor for both home and away kits shortly after, helping to build the financial foundation that underpins Borneo's competitive ambitions.