GROUP C
Nadi FA (FIJ)
AS Tefana (TAH)
In 2014 Nadi made their return to the premier international club competition after a 15 year hiatus. The break did not do them well as they failed to score even a single goal in the group stage but the experience was no doubt an awakening for coach Kamal Swamy and his charges.
AS Tefana is one of few sides that has a strong club culture that brings players through the youth system and into the first team. The majority of Sebastian Labayen’s side have been members of the club since they were kids and are proud to be continuing their affiliation with a side which has a strong history in the OFC Champions League. Alvin, Lorenzo and Jonathan Tehau are joined by several national team colleagues like Steevy Chong Hue and Heimano Bourebare. Nicolas Vallar is new to the side, but not without a strong background of his own which has seen him play professionally in Europe, as well as lead the national team to victory in the 2012 Nations Cup.
The side have continued to impress on the domestic scene and will go into this year’s OFC Champions League with greater confidence in their ability.
AS Magenta (NCL) AS Magenta had an equally forgettable turn in 2014 by former national team coach Alain Moizan’s standard. A slow start cost them in dearly in the tournament format but like Nadi, will have learned a harsh lesson. The side for this year’s campaign resembles Moizan’s Cagous of yesteryear with Pierre Wajoka, Marius Bako and Noel Kaudre bringing plenty of experience to the squad and they’re not the only ones. Tactically this side is sound and it will come down to keeping their cool and performing as we know they can – and consistently.
Kiwi FC (SAM) Finally Kiwi FC, the 2016 OFC Champions League Preliminary winners from Samoa, round out Group C. Their debut at the Champions League in 2014 was a forgettable one. Though they fought hard, the side was outclassed by their opponents and like Nadi, were unable to find the back of the net even once. However having squeezed through qualifying to make their second appearance they have the fortune of hindsight. The side is littered with national team players who are also preparing for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup so will be in form and rearing to make their mark on this competition in the lead up.