The 2013 Super Ligue winners travelled to Vanuatu where a full house of fans filled Port Vila Stadium to see some of the big names in New Caledonia football take on the domestic champions.
A first half goal to former New Caledonia U-20 international Joseph Athalé in the 25th minute gave the visitors the lead before 2011 OFC Player of the Year Bertrand Kai’s 64th minute striker secured the win.
Coached by Moise Poida, Tafea will no doubt intensify his side’s training to be ready for their next challenge in Oceania’s biggest club competition.
Tafea share Group C with New Zealand’s Team Wellington, 2010 OFC Champions League winners Hekari United from Papua New Guinea and 2012 OFC Champions League runners-up AS Tefana of Tahiti.
For the New Caledonia representatives, this success is certainly a mental boost prior to the competition.
To progress to the knockout round Gaitcha will have to go through Group A against 2014 semi-finalsts Ba of Fiji and AS Pirae from Tahiti as well as OFC Champions League Preliminary winners Lupe Ole Soaga from Samoa.
Gaitcha will take on locals Ba on 11 April at Govind Park while Tafea’s first match in the competition will be against Hekari United FC on 12 April at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Find the full schedule of the 2015 OFC Champions League here.
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu.