OFC Champions League 2023

OFC champions league update

The Tahitian qualifiers secured victory over New Caledonia representatives Tiga Sport in Port Vila, scoring all three goals in a first half blitz.

AS Pirae fired from the outset, with two shots on goal within the first five minutes before they opened the scoring in the seventh minute.

Yohann Tihoni zipped down the right wing and timed his run to perfection to meet a 30-metre cross on the full at the far post and volley home from an acute angle.

Auckland City sets sight on 11th title

The New Zealand club champions have been an almost unstoppable force over the years but will be wary of underestimating their Group A opponents Suva FC, Solomon Warriors and Lupe Ole Soaga SC, whom they face in Luganville over the next week. 

The defending champions suffered a major blow when their talisman Emilio Tade was ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury. The Argentine will be sidelined for the next 10 weeks. 

The Solomon Warriors and Suva FC are both expected to compete for a place in the semi-finals where the top two teams in each pool cross over.

Champions league draw set

The draw took place in today at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland.

This year’s OFC Champions League will be held in Vanuatu in May, with games split between Port Vila and Luganville. It’ll be an exciting chance for Vanuatu to host a major OFC competition, it will be the first time the nation has held a full OFC Champions League.

OFC pre-determined that Ifira Black Bird will play their group matches in Port Vila and was therefore drawn automatically into Group B.

OFC Champions League date confirmed

The draw will take place at 1pm NZT at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, New Zealand.

OFC Competitions Director Chris Kemp will conduct proceedings.

There is no seeding system for this edition of the OFC Champions League so teams will be drawn from a single pot and will be drawn into two groups of four, Group A and Group B with matches to be played in Port Vila and Luganville.

Hekari, Tiga lock in spots

For PNG, Hekari United will fly the flag after their 2-0 over Lae City FC in Port Moresby yesterday.

Tiga Sport will be New Caledonia’s representative after defeating Hienghène Sport 2-0 in Nouméa.

Two late goals have seen Hekari United complete a 4-1 aggregate win over national champions Lae City in the PNG Oceania Champions League National Play-offs.

Midfielder Yagi Yasasa who scored in the first leg last week, pounced on a ball in the 83rd minute to scramble the opening goal before Joseph Joe sealed the result in the 87th minute with a tap.