No club from Fiji has ever won the OFC Men’s Champions League, but tournament hosts Rewa FC arguably present the strongest challenge to perennial champions Auckland City FC at this year’s edition of the tournament.
Welcoming the domestic champions of Oceania to their homeland for the competition, Rewa’s 23-man squad features eleven OFC Pro League players, 19 with international caps, and 18 with experience at the OFC Men’s Champions League before. Despite having suffered group stage exits in three of their previous four campaigns, there is a sense of expectation about Rewa this time around.
“The OFC Pro League was a huge learning experience for many of us,” says player/coach Tevita Waranaivalu, who also gained professional experience with Tahiti United in the competition earlier this year.
“Those experiences have helped us grow individually, but more importantly they have helped raise the standard within our squad. Coming into this OFC Men’s Champions League, I think we’re better prepared because we’ve already been tested in high-level matches earlier this year.”
Rewa will be playing in their fifth OFC Men’s Champions League group stage campaign, and their third in a row. They’ve been given a favourable draw alongside Galaxy FC, Lae City FC, and Tupapa Maraerenga FC in Group B, none of which have the calibre of experience that Waranaivalu has been able to call upon.
“For me personally, it means a lot because I’ve been part of all four of Rewa FC’s previous OFC Men’s Champions League campaigns,” says Waranaivalu. “Every tournament feels special, but this one is another opportunity for us to test ourselves against the best clubs in Oceania.”
History
Rewa FC have only advanced past the group stage in one of their previous four campaigns, losing 2-4 to AS Pirae in the semi-finals in 2024.
This year they have the squad to replicate a similar run and make amends for a disappointing group stage exit in Honiara 12 months ago.
The Coach: Tevita Waranaivalu
Midfielder Tevita Waranaivalu will juggle his playing duties with coaching ones across the course of the tournament.
“Before the game my focus will be on the coaching side and making sure the team is prepared tactically and mentally,” he says. “Once I step onto the field, I will switch fully into player mode and try to lead by example through my performance, communication and experience.”
Waranaivalu has played in all four of Rewa’s previous OFC Men’s Champions League campaigns and appeared in 16 of Tahiti United’s 17 games in the OFC Pro League earlier this year. The 33-year-old also has 33 international caps and three goals for Fiji, having made his international debut in 2015.
The Squad
Rewa’s squad features 11 players who gained professional experience in the inaugural OFC Pro League, the most of any of the eight competing clubs at the tournament. They include Semi Nabenu, Setareki Hughes, and Gabriele Matanisiga from Bula FC, player/coach Waranaivalu and Joseph Athale from Tahiti United, and Don Keana from Solomon Kings FC.
13 of the squad also remain from Rewa’s OFC Men’s Champions League campaign in Honiara last year, with 12 having played in multiple editions of the competition dating back to Rewa’s debut in 2017.
Player to Watch: Joseph Athale
Experienced New Caledonian international Joseph Athale has joined his Tahiti United teammate Tevita Waranaivalu at Rewa FC and adds a wealth of quality and experience to the Fijian side.
Athale has played in four OFC Men’s Champions League group stage campaigns before and has 23 international caps and three goals for New Caledonia. He also adds versatility to the squad as an option to play in midfield or in a wide defensive role and stands out as one of the marquee names at this year’s tournament.
Match Schedule Sunday, August 9, 3pm
Galaxy FC v Rewa FC
Churchill Park, Lautoka Wednesday, August 12, 4pm
Rewa FC v Tupapa Maraerenga FC
4R Govind Park, Ba Saturday, August 15, 3pm
Rewa FC v Lae City FC
4R Govind Park, Ba
The Rewa football side at last year’s tournament. Picture: OFC
