Monday will mark the second occasion Tafea and Hekari have met in this competition. In 2009 it was very much an even affair as both side’s found the back of the net thrice over.
In 2010 however Tafea were just one side in a long list of regional clubs the Papua New Guinea side knocked over on their way to the FIFA Club World Cup. On that occasion Hekari put four past the Vanuatu club, with Tuimasi Manuca, Alick Maemae and Joachim Waroi the culprits.
Both Manuca and Waroi are back in the squad, and Hekari coach Jerry Allen is keen to get a win early in the piece to set his side up for their remaining games.
It won’t be an easy task trying to upend this Tafea side, as their domestic rivals Amicale FC can attest. Tafea have issued a strong challenge at home as they look to knock Amicale from their perch at the top and there is no reason why they can’t do the same at a regional level.
Poida has collected a number of the players who helped the Vanuatu U-20 national side to third at the OFC U-20 Championship in 2013. Knowing the conditions in Fiji well, he’ll be expecting outstanding performances from all of his players.
Very few of members of this squad have any experience of top club football, though there are at least two players who are old-hats when it comes to the Champions League.
Freddy Vava and David Chilia have 23 appearances between them and will no doubt be the ones being turned to for advice.
In the day’s second encounter AS Magenta of New Caledonia will take on the hosts and 2013 semi-finalists Ba FC.
Under former national team coach Alain Moizan a strong squad of some of New Caledonia’s best and brightest have assembled for this competition.
Pierre Wajoka, who needs little introduction given his exploits for Les Cagous over the years, leads the numbers with 15 appearances spreading over three campaigns. Between them the Dokunengo brothers, Olivier and Jeremie, have made six appearances.
Moizan has also drafted Hienghene Sport stalwart and 2011 OFC Player of the Year Bertrand Kai to add to their strike power.
As the home side, Ba FC will be looking to use that to their advantage, but will need to be aware of the added pressure that comes with it.
Yogendra Dutt is in charge once again and has held on to the majority of the squad which advanced to the semi-finals in 2013.
April 7 also marks the start of the UNICEF Pacific, Fiji Government, OFC and Fiji FA social responsibility campaign “Kick Dengue Out of Fiji”, raising awareness of Dengue Fever.
The OFC also recognises Sport for Development and Peace Day celebrated on April 6.
A minute’s silence will also be observed for those affected by the Solomon Islands flood at all matches.
Media Coverage
Television stations EMTV – Papua New Guinea, Solomon Telekom TTV – Solomon Islands, VBTC – Vanuatu, FBC Fiji, Fiji TV and TNTV – Tahiti will broadcast all matches live in their nations and territories.
For radio, broadcasters FM 107 – Vanuatu, FBC Radio – Fiji and Communications Fiji Ltd will provide live coverage of matches, while OFC Radio will present live audio coverage of every match in both French and English, a regional first for football.
Media Contacts:
Please note squads are subject to change.
Media wishing to attend any OFC Champions League should contact the respective home club contact prior to match day. Media are encouraged to use these contacts for further specific information or clarification.
Keep visiting www.oceaniafootball.com for full coverage, profiles, news and live updates.
Extra Information
Tafea FC v Hekari United
Govind Park
Monday 7 April 2014
Kick-off: 1pm
Referee: Matt CONGER (NZL)
TAFvHEK
Tafea FC
Head to head: Played 2, Hekari 1 win, Tafea FC 0 wins, 1 draw
The players: With many of the players making their debuts in this tournament, Tafea fields a team of young, local players moving up from the Teouma Academy. Joses NAWO is the only non-Vanuatuan player, hailing from the Solomon Islands.
The vital statistics: It is Tafea’s 31st match in the OCL since 1999. Defender Fedy VAVA is set to make his 11th appearance while Joses NAWO and Selwyn SESE will both make their 13th appearance if selected.
Squad list: 1. Seiloni IARUEL (GK), 2. Lucien HINGE, 3. Freddy VAVA, 4. Jaycen BOTLENG, 5. Kevin SHEM, 6. Jais MALSARANI, 7. Jonah TURU, 8. Bong KALO, 9. Alista KARLIP, 10. Zica MANUHI, 11. Robert TASSO, 12. Edisson STEPHENS, 13. Dalong DAMALIP, 14. Joseph NAMARIAU, 15. Moses MOLI-KALOTANG, 16. Joseph NAMULI, 17. Nicol TARI, 18. Ignas IAMAK, 19. Cyril WIS, 20. Kaloran FIRIAM (GK), 21. Don MANSALE, 22. David CHILIA, 23. Joses NAWA, 24. Selwyn SESE ALA, 25. Jack NIKO, 26. Winjo WILLIAM, 27. Nemani ROQARA, 28. Abdul ROQARA, 29. Jacques WANEMUT, 30. Didier KALIP
Coach: Moise POIDA (VAN)
Hekari United
The players: Hekari holds an experienced PNG core of David MUTA, Raymond GUNEMBA, and Kema JACK, as well as Solomon Islands’ Joachim WAROI and Fijian Tuimasi MANUCA who were integral in the 2010 Champions League-winning campaign.
The vital statistics: Kema JACK will be looking to meet the all-time Champions League scoring record of 19 goals this tournament while David MUTA makes his 29th appearance. He is currently the leader for Champions League appearances for Papua New Guinea.
Squad list: 1. Leslie KALAI (GK), 2. Daniel JOE, 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Kilapolena IARAVAI, 5. Scott GANNON, 6. Niel HANS, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Nicholas MURI, 9. Nigel DABINYABA, 10. Tutizama TANITO, 11. Joachim WAROI, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew MARAMPAU, 14. Kolu KEPO, 15. Wilson KILA, 16. Pita BOLATOGA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Ericson KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU (GK), 21. Tuimasi MANUCA, 22. Paul WIVA (GK), 23. Ian YANUM, 24. Tonga ESIRA, 25. Taniela WAQA, 26. Philadelphea VELA, 27. Jean KALTACK, 28. Billson BULLO, 29. Isaac TOROT, 30. Ishmael POLE (GK)
Coach: Jerry ALLEN (SOL)
AS Magenta v Ba FC
Govind Park
Monday 7 April, 2014
Kick-off: 4pm
Referee: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
MAGvBA
Head to head: No previous meetings
AS Magenta
The players: Players to look out for are Pierre WAJOKA, who is back with Magenta after a spell away, and Olivier DOKUNENGO, captain of the New Caledonian national team. Also of note are the defensive trio of Loic, Ludovic, and Jean-Patrick WAKANUMUNE who will be looking to make their mark.
The vital statistics:Noel KAUDRE makes his 18th appearance for Magenta in the Champions League, the most appearances for the club. 2011 OFC Player of the Year Bertrand KAI is set to make his debut for the New Caledonian side after transferring from Hienghene Sport.
Squad list: 1. Jelen IXOEE (GK), 2. Jean JEWINE, 3. Pierrot JELEWED, 4. Loic WAKANUMUNE, 5. Ludovic WAKANUMUNE, 6. Cedrick SANSOT, 7. Noel KAUDRE, 8. Paul POATINDA, 9. Bill NICHOLLS, 10. Pierre WAJOKA, 11. Bertrand KAI, 12. Joris GORENDIAWE, 13. Jeremie DOKUNENGO, 14. Kalaje GNIPATE, 15. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 16. Jean READ, 17. Leopold MAKALU, 18. Michel HMAE, 19. Jordy XALITRE, 20. Wilson FOREST, 21. Jean WAKANUMUNE, 22. Benjamin BERNARD-HERVE, 23. Jean WADRIAKO, 24. Jonathan KAKOU, 25. Kevin MAWEA, 26. Willy WAHEO, 27. Emmanuel HMAEN, 28. Jean WAKANUMUNE, 29. Jean-Jacques WACHOU (GK), 30. Leon IXOEE (GK)
Coach: Alain MOIZAN (FRA)
Ba FC
The players: Many of the squad will be returning from the semi-final side last year, including Avinesh SUWAMY, Malakai KANAHEWE, and Jone VESIKULA.
The vital statistics: Ba will be enjoying home side advantage in it’s 30th match in the Champions League tournament. Jone VESIKULA makes his 25th appearance for the Men in Black while Osea VAKATELESAU will be looking to further his top scorer status in the squad with eight goals under his belt for this competition.
Squad list:1. Epeli CODRO (GK), Avinesh SUWAMY, 3. Meli CODRO, 4. Marika MADIGI, 5. Ro
nil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 7. Maciu DUNADAMU, 8. Aisea CODRO, 9. Abbu ZAHID, 10. Mavileko NAKAMA, 11. Josefata NEIBULI, 12. Remueru TEKIATE, 13. Kini VILIAME, 14. Peni FINAU, 15. Osea VAKATALESAU, 16. Ronald LAWRENCE, 17. Malakai KANAHEWE, 18. Laisenia RAURA, 19. Manasa NAWAKULA, 20. Shameel RAO, 21. Samuela NABENIA, 22. Jone SOROLO (GK), 23. Leone VURAKANIA, 24. Narendra RAO, 25. Praneel NAIDU, 26. Epeli LAIROTI, 27. Saula WAQA, 28. Sitiveni CAVUILAGI, 29. Misiwane NAIRUBE (GK), 30. Patrick SARWAN
Coach: Yogendra DUTT (FIJ)
Ends