Vanuatu clubs have been regular participants at the OFC Champions League tournament dating back to the first edition of Oceania’s showpiece event in 1999.
But two clubs from the nation based in the West Pacific stick out most – Tafea and Amicale. Both teams have reached a final previously yet neither have had the requisite luck to make the title of Oceania champions their own.
This year, Amicale play their second final in just four seasons and have their best chance to finally bring the coveted OFC Champions League trophy home.
But while Amicale carry the hope of the Vanuatu nation, its important to recognise the trail blazed by compatriots Tafea FC.
Tafea FC participated in the first ever OFC Champions League in Nadi in 1999 when they finished second in their group behind New Zealand representatives Central United only just missing out on the semi-finals.
After a year where they learned some tough lessons, Tafea returned for the 2001 edition with greater motivation and a self-belief they could go one better and reach the knock out stages.
In a tournament with 11 participants divided in two groups, the Vanuatu champions dominated to top of its group without losing a match.
Having qualified for the semi-finals they beat New Zealand champions Napier City Rovers 4-2 to advance to their first ever OFC Champions League Final.
Waiting in the wings were Australian giants Wollongong Wolves who sank the Tafea FC dream with a narrow and hotly contested 1-0 win in Port Moresby.
In the third edition of the OFC Champions League in Tahiti 2005, Tafea FC kept showing their aptitude for group stage competition and qualified for the semi-finals.
Sadly for the Vanuatu outfit they were outclassed 6-0 by Hyundai A-League giants Sydney FC in the semi-finals.
Despite this upsetting result they managed to finish third with a 3-1 success against Tahiti’s AS Pirae.
Between 2006 and 2010, Vanuatu football has known a difficult period where the two representatives Port Vila Sharks and Tafea FC failed to make a significant impression.
Vanuatu fans had to wait until 2011 and the arrival of Amicale on the regional scene before tasting the possibility of success once more.
The Red Roosters may have reached the final but they never reached their high standards from the group stage as they lost 6-1 on aggregate (1-2, 4-0) against Auckland City FC.
For the last four years, Amicale has grown and built a solid team eager to match Hekari United’s feat and win the OFC Champions League and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.

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