8 Apr 2015

Sport: Vanuatu football champs eye O-League title

12:10 pm on 8 April 2015

Vanuatu football champions Amicale FC are desperate to go one better this year and claim their maiden Oceania Champions League title.

Amicale have a strong record in the O-League, having finished runners-up to Auckland City in both 2011 and 2014.

The two teams will square off again in the group stage this month and team President Andrew Leong has put his money where his mouth his, recruiting an Italian coach and a host of players from across the footballing globe.

"I've got four Italians, two Argentinians, one player from Switzerland, two Solomon players and three Fijians. I quite invest alot and, like I said, I will respect Auckland City. In our pool I think Auckland City will be the best team to overcome to get the first position in Pool B. I would like to take it step by step and play the first game against Western United from Solomon Islands and obviously I've got Suva, which is [playing on] their home ground".

Andrew Leong says, along with local rivals Tafea FC, the devastation caused in Vanuatu by Cyclone Pam has given them added motivation to do well.

Sanni Issa playing for Amicale FC against Auckland City during the 2014 Oceania Champions League final. Issa joined Auckland in the off-season.

Sanni Issa playing for Amicale FC against Auckland City during the 2014 Oceania Champions League final. Issa joined Auckland in the off-season. Photo: PHOTOSPORT