Will Auckland City FC reign come to an end? OFC Champions League set to start in Tahiti this weekend

The OFC Champions League 2024 edition is set to kick off this weekend in the picturesque setting of Papeete, Tahiti, promising another thrilling chapter in Oceania’s premier club football competition. With a lineup of formidable teams ready to battle it out for continental glory as Auckland City is the favourite to celebrate their 12th title of the tournament.

Group A, headlined by reigning champions Auckland City, promises intense clashes right from the start. Auckland City, the powerhouse of New Zealand football, will look to defend their title against stiff competition. Joining them in Group A we have Fijian side, Rewa along with Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United and Solomon Warriors, the reigning champions of the Telekom S-League.

In Group B, the stage is set for equally gripping encounters. Vaivase-Tai from Samoa, winners from the Qualifying Round held in Tonga, Ifira Black Bird from Vanuatu, hosts AS Pirae from Tahiti, and New Caledonia’s AS Magenta will vie for supremacy in what promises to be a closely contested group. However, Ifira Black Bird’s late arrival due to travel issues with Air Vanuatu adds an unexpected twist to the group dynamics, with Group B’s opening fixtures reduced to one match on Sunday, 12th May.

The tournament opener will witness a clash betwenn Rewa and Auckland City on Saturday, setting the tone for what is sure to be an exhilarating campaign. Meanwhile, Hekari United will lock horns with Solomon Warriors in another eagerly anticipated fixture, as both teams aim to make a strong start to their campaign.

The South Pacific is filled with anticipation for the most important club football tournament of the region, can the islands’ clubs avoid Auckland City to take their 12th title? Only twice in the history of the competiton – since Australia left OFC – a non-New Zealand side lost the tournament – Hekari United and Hienghène Sport from New Caledonia were the exepctions.

In the last edition the Navy Blues needed the penalty shoot-out to overcome Ifira Black Bird in Port Vila and the extra-time to surpass Suva in the final to celebrate their 11th title. This time the Albert Riera coached-side expects to win it more comfortably, although their speech is filled with a lot of respect and praise to their opposition.