Samoa is eyeing a breakthrough performance at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025, with a youthful squad and growing confidence as the team prepares for its fifth appearance at the tournament.
This year’s squad includes 11 teenagers, underlining head coach Juan Chang Urea’s belief in building for the future through a bold, energetic group of emerging talents.
“Preparations have been good — the girls are ready to roll,” said Urea.
“We have a lot of youth in our team. I’m sure they’re ready to take the pitch.”
Drawn into a competitive Group A alongside the Cook Islands, Tahiti and defending champions Papua New Guinea, Samoa faces a challenging path to the knockout rounds. But history suggests they are capable of rising to the occasion.
Samoa has finished fourth on two occasions — in 2018 and again in 2022 — with their most recent campaign particularly impressive. In 2022, they topped Group A after going unbeaten in the group stage, before narrowly missing out on a place in the final after a semi-final loss to Fiji.
“The girls did an amazing job four years ago,” Urea reflected. “We have high expectations for this team, and what we do today will build the foundation for tomorrow.”
Development remains at the heart of Samoa’s campaign. Half of the squad is under 20, with the Nations Cup doubling as a vital learning environment for the next wave of Samoan footballers.
“Our main goal is to make Samoa proud,” Urea said. “We’re taking this as a chance for our girls to grow both on and off the field. We know it’s a tough competition and everyone is here to win. We want to represent Samoa with pride in everything we do.”
Among the brightest young talents are two players set to represent Samoa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco later this year. 16 year old defenders Mia Afoa and Breanna Kitiona, who will both make their senior international debut in Fiji.
“I’m excited to grow with a new team, to learn and develop as an individual player, and to see how much better I can get at a higher level,” said Kitiona.
Watch the full interview here:
Group Stage Fixtures
V Papua New Guinea | 4 July 2025, 3PM local time
V Cook Islands | 7 July 2025, 12PM local time
V Tahiti | 10 July 2025, 12PM local time