Samoa club champions Kiwi FC will again be missing some high profile recruits for their second stint in the Oceania Champions League football competition.
Samoa football champions Kiwi FC celebrate winning the OFC Champions League Preliminary. Photo: Oceania Football
Kiwi won the OFC Preliminary in February to qualify for the main draw.
Martin Tamasese's side last competed in the regional championship two years ago, where they lost all three group games and failed to score a goal.
That squad was missing most of its key import players and Martin Tamasese said unfortunately it has happened again.
"It's about six of them not available for the second stage because their clubs in New Zealand are holding them back so we only have three players still based in New Zealand for this year but most of our players are local players" he said.
"It's not a big problem for us but we still have our quality players that can play for the O-League."
Kiwi FC open their Champions League campaign on Friday against AS Magenta from New Caledonia and will also face Nadi FC from Fiji and Tahiti's AS Tefana in the group stage.
