The Lupe o le Soaga Samoa Premier Men’s Team from Magiagi has been selected to represent Football Federation Samoa (“FFS”) and Samoa at the Oceania Football Confederation (“OFC”) Championship preliminary tournament in Auckland, New Zealand from the 25th January to the 28th January 2020. The OFC Champions League, also known as the O-League, is the premier men’s club football competition organized by OFC. The preliminary round will also feature the champion clubs from Cook Islands and Tonga.
Coach of the Lupe o le Soaga Football Team, Fa’aeanuu Paul Ualesi believes that with the team attending the tournament for several times, there is expectation for the team to do better than before. This is not an easy challenge for them; however they have been working hard during their preparations.
“For the fourth time Lupe ole Soaga premier men’s team from Magiagi will be representing Samoa and FFS in the OFC Club Championship preliminary stage. Since 2014, the team has progressed from the first stage to the second. A challenge to improve this time as there will be only three top clubs playing to secure a spot in the second round of Club Championship.”
When the measles epidemic affected Samoa last year, it didn’t hold back our club preparations for the upcoming tournament. The majority of players in our team are local based players; however we have selected some potential players from other clubs to be part of our team. The tournament will help to extend their experience and expose them to regional tournaments”.
A minor glitch in Lupe o le Soaga’s preparations for the OFC Championship is the loss of key player Vito Laloata, who has been contracted by Hekai Club in Papua New Guinea. However, Lupe o le Soaga management has given their blessings for Vito to join Hekai Club as it is part of the club’s long term plans to develop and expose players to get contracted with overseas clubs.
“Last week we received confirmation, that Hekai Club are interested in Vito Laloata. It’s good and bad news for us; a positive start for our club preparations. Looking at one of the missions we implemented, these are the things we look at for our players to achieve. Even though we are losing one of our key players however we are thankful and excited and hoping to get more opportunities like this in the future.” (Coach Faaeanuu Paul Ualesi)
Vito Laloata is 23 years old and is the son of Laloata and Faiva of Magiagi. He is one of Samoa’s national team’s key strikers who scored the only goal against New Zealand Under-23 in the XVI Pacific Games held here in Samoa in 2019. Vito’s debut for Samoa was in the Under 17 men’s football team, and later on moved up to play in four Senior National Men’s teams. Vito has played for Lupe ole Soaga soccer teams since 10 years old, and he is delighted with the opportunity to join Hekai Club in Papua New Guinea.
“When I was told about the contract, I was speechless and thankful. The one and only door has finally opened, it is my responsibility to hold and use this one opportunity wisely. It has been a long journey growing up in and playing football and it’s finally here.
Vito Laloata departed Samoa on Sunday 19th January and will be contracted for the first 6 months. Lupe ole Soaga has been in camp for two weeks , departed last night Samoa for New Zealand.
