All preparations have been done and the Football Federation Samoa is ready to host the three countries set to play for the right to qualify to the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League.

“All our preparations are done and set for the tournament. There are some small things to be done but all in all we are set to go,” said Competition Manager for Football Federation Samoa, Papalii Laautuivanu LeMamea.

Samoa's Lupe Ole Soaga is up against American Samoa's Ilaoa Ma To’omata for the Oceania Football Cup Champions League that kicks off Saturday at 4pm.

This is a wonderful opportunity given to Samoa to host the qualifying rounds for the OFC Champions League in Vanuatu.

The winner of this qualifying competition will qualify for the OFC Champions League and go against the top clubs from the Oceania region.

Papalii said the team has been preparing for this day and to finally start the tournament is a success in itself. 

The four-team competition is a chance for teams from domestic competitions in Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and American Samoa to vie for a spot in the top tier competition. 

 “We had a referee meeting and a management meeting with the teams running briefing them through the rules and regulations to ensure that everyone has fun and compete safely,” said Papalii.

The four teams are from Tupapa Maraereanga (Cook Islands), Ilaoa Ma To’omata (American Samoa), Lupe Ole Soaga (Samoa) and Veitongo FC (Tonga).

“I just want to thank all the teams and their team management for their patience in all these procedures we had them do. I wish them all the best and may the best team win,” aaid Papalii.

All the teams have been training very hard in preparation for the tournament. Lupe has been seen regularly on the fields running drills and stretching their legs ready to put in the work to qualify for the next stage.

Papalii said in a previous interview that Faaeanuu Paul Ualesi and club President Fuata Lai Tautiaga had put in an incredible effort for the preparation of the team against their first opponent.

This tournament is also valuable experience for the Pacific Games in December in the Solomon Islands.

Their preparations does not stop here and they will continue to scout and trial more players for Samoa for their main team to play in Solomon Islands.

Admission is free for all ages and the public is encouraged to watch and come on down to give support to their favorite teams. It will be highly competitive and all teams are sure to give their best performance out on the pitch.