In the history of this competition two of this trio have already managed to find their way to the final – AS Pirae and AS Tefana.
AS Pirae became the second Francophone side to make their way to the final in 2006, after AS Magenta of New Caledonia got there a year earlier.
Striker and beach soccer international Naea Bennett has only fond memories of Pirae’s debut in the competition.
“It was a great experience,” he recalls, “and it remains one of the best tournaments of my career”.
The Tahitian side finished second in their group to Auckland City following a 1-0 loss, but still made it through to the semi-finals where they encountered another New Zealand side – YoungHeart Manawatu.
A 2-1 victory saw them through to the final where they faced a second showdown with Auckland City, where yet again the Kiwi side triumphed with a 3-1 victory relegating Pirae to the runners-up position.
Their return to the competition wouldn’t be for another eight years but they made the most of the opportunity qualifying for the semi-finals after a strong showing that saw them top their group.
The team boasted a quality line-up including a large number of players who participated in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2013 and, on his return to his home nation, former Nantes and Lorient midfielder Marama Vahirua.
The Tahitians had to beat defending champions and old foes Auckland City for a place in the final. However, once again, the Kiwis came up trumps winning 3-0 at home. Despite a 2-1 win in Tahiti on the return leg, it wasn’t enough for them to progress.
After coming so close in 2014, Pirae’s desire to succeed this time around has only increased.
Victory is the sole objective for Pirae, a fact Bennett underlines.
“Our goal this year is clear, it’s to win the tournament,” he says.
For AS Tefana, a club from the suburb of Faaa in Papeete, their tale is similar to that of their neighbours Pirae.
In their second appearance in the region’s premier club competition the side made it all the way to the final which, considering a 10-0 loss to Waitakere United in their opening match, seemed a hopeless dream.
Somehow despite that slow start they qualified for a two-leg final against Auckland City. But like their counterparts Pirae, it wasn’t good new as the New Zealanders once again snuffed out a Tahitian dream beating Tefana 2-1 and 1-0 to stake their claim on the trophy.
Former coach turned club technical director Laurent Heinis says past experience will benefit his side’s 2015 campaign.
“The experience of those two sporting adventures was incredibly enriching, in particular the final against Auckland City.”
For New Caledonia football it has been ten years since AS Magenta were defeated 2-0 by Sydney FC in the final – a finish they acquired in the year they debuted in this competition.
Magenta topped their group, edging Vanuatu’s Tafea FC on goal difference. In the semi-finals the Caledonians found themselves up against Francophone rivals Pirae, where Pierre Wajoka and his side secured the advantage with a 4-1 victory.
Since then, the club with 14 national titles to their name, has given everything for another date with destiny but despite six appearances have never again made it past the Group Stage.
And it has been a similar story for other New Caledonian sides in this same competition. Neither JS Baco in 2008 nor AS Mont-Dore in 2007, 2012 and 2013 could do any better, also failing to progress to the knock-out stages.
In spite of that history, the OFC Champions League remains an important competition in the landscape of Caledonian football.
Olivier Dokunengo, who has appeared in this competition in both Mont-Dore and Magenta colours, explains the significance of the OFC Champions League.
“It represents the best we can hope for as a player,” Dokunengo explains.
“Every Caledonian player loves to take part.”
This year FC Gaitcha will be making their first appearance in the OFC Champions League and have carried out some heavy recruitment among the local market in the hopes of taking Caledonian football to new heights.
“We have vengeful players who are hungry for victories and titles and the OFC Champions League, for some, will be one of their last chances to achieve that in their careers,” says coach Kevin Coma.