So when their victory in the 2012/13 Samoan National League saw them book their first appearance in the OFC Champions League Preliminary, and on home soil no less, it was a day of celebration in the small Samoan village.
With the tournament, which also boasts the club champions from Tonga, American Samoa and Cook Islands, coming to Samoan shores for the first time next week Aimaasu has been drumming up local support for his side.
Already the club’s village has put their money behind Lupe Ole Soaga earning a coveted OFC Champions League Group Stage spot, with the team’s recent village clean up netting them $1,000 tala.
“The team has only grown to what it is now thanks to the support of our village of Magaiagi and many other contributors like Laauli Soata Uta’i, Faafetai Faalogo and Tapuitea Lavea to name a few,” Aimaasu says.
With support secured, the team has been focusing hard on getting themselves into perfect condition for the competition.
No stranger to intense fitness regimes the players are regularly seen running the 5km from Magiagi to Vaoala, and Aimaasu, who is team manager as well as club president, says the staff are pleased with how preparations are progressing.
“We have spent a lot of time on the conditioning of our players so that they are able to cope with playing at a higher, more intense level of football,” he says.
“Discipline has been a key focus which has proved to be difficult at times, but in all, the boys have come together as a unit.”
Aimaasu is confident they have the players to do their village, and Samoa proud at the Preliminary with players of note including Lapalapa Toni, Vaalii Faalogo, Lionel Taylor and Ted Sikovi.
“Taylor has the ability to show up everywhere on the field and Faalogo has been a rock for us at the back,” he says.
“I also feel extremely happy to have managed to bring back Ted Sikovi after he chose rugby over soccer for the last few years, and I certainly look forward to having him steady our defence.”
The OFC Champions League Preliminary is being held from 7-11 October at J.S. Blatter Football Complex in Tuanaimato, Apia.
For more on Samoan football go to www.footballsamoa.ws

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