The New Zealand-based Lewis made his OFC Champions League debut for the Samoan champions against Waitakere United on Wednesday, and while they went down 2-0 he says it was a thrilling experience.
“I think we knew it was going to be tough. Waitakere are a quality side and they’ve won it many times before so we knew we’d cough up most of the possession but we were happy to sort of just sit back and counter,” he says.
“Then if we could get one, we could get one. It didn’t really seem to be the way but we sucked up as much pressure as we could, and to come away 2-0 against a side like that is pretty positive for a Samoan team that’s first time here.”
With few ties to Samoa, one could question why Lewis is debuting with Kiwi, rather than with a New Zealand-based side like Waitakere United or Auckland City FC.
Lewis says it all came down to an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“A good mate of mine, Sean Easthope, has been involved with the Samoa national team and Kiwi for a few years and he mentioned going over to American Samoa and I just sort of jumped at the opportunity.”
American Samoa played host to the OFC Champions League Preliminary in which Kiwi triumphed over Tupapa Maraerenga of Cook Islands, Lotoha’apai United of Tonga and host side Pago Youth to earn a berth in this year’s extended format OFC Champions League.
“I’m 37 so I’m not going to get the chance again, and to qualify from that was great and I had no doubt about coming back this time,” he says.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t bring all of the boys back with us but we’ve brought in a few others so fingers crossed.”
Preliminary top goalscorers Joseph Gaughan and Adam Cowan haven’t returned and nor has Easthope, but back alongside Lewis is Jamie Mason and a host of new faces have also joined the squad and he’s excited about the new element they’ll add.
“We picked up Michael Fifi’i who is a local guy in Wellington but from the Solomon Islands,” he says of one of the new additions.
“He’s got a bag of tricks and we’re hoping he can showcase them at some point. Overall it’s a great bunch of lads and the Kiwi FC local boys have even stepped up from where they were in American Samoa for this competition.”
While enjoyment of the game is one reason he’s still getting himself out there on the pitch, Lewis says his son is what really keeps him going.
“He’s a Junior All White with the U-17s in New Zealand, Clayton Lewis, and we play at the same club back home.
“I’ve got to keep going because I’ve got to run him around for training so it’s easier for me to keep running around the football field as well,” he explains.
Looking ahead, Lewis is certain of one thing when it comes to his Champions League career.
“Whether we have to qualify again or not, whatever the story is going to be, we hope to come back again. And for me, being here at 38-39 years old would be great.
Kiwi FC continue their bid for the OFC Champions League semi-finals tomorrow with an encounter against AS Pirae of Tahiti at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji. The Group A game gets Match Day 6 of the group stage underway at 1pm, followed by Waitakere United and Solomon Warriors at 4pm.

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