Cook Islands’ very own Tupapa Maraerenga club is ready to battle it out on the field against two Samoan teams at the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League Qualifying Stage which starts this afternoon.

Despite a Tongan club pulling out at the eleventh hour, Tupapa Maraerenga still faces a daunting task against the top football clubs from Samoa and American Samoa in the tournament.

Samoa’s Vaipuna and American Samoa’s Royal Puma will battle it out in the opening clash this afternoon at the CIFA Complex in Matavera.

The captain’s run was held yesterday at the CIFA Complex where all teams, including their captains and coaches, had the chance to meet each other before the tournament gets underway today.

Speaking to Cook Islands News, Tupapa Maraerenga captain, Grover Harmon, who is also the president of the Cook Islands Football Association, said playing on their home ground is an advantage, and he is confident that his team is ready for the tournament.

“It’s a home-ground advantage, so you know, we’ve been training hard, and we know what’s at stake, and we just don’t want to let our fans down, especially on home ground,” Harmon said.

“We’ve actually been training right through. Our season ended mid-December, so it was difficult during the festive season to train, but we still managed to sneak a couple of training sessions in and now we’re here.”

Tupapa Maraerenga have four overseas players joining the team as well as a few veteran players, including himself. Harmon will be relying on these players to spearhead their campaign.

Explaining the inclusion of overseas players, Harmon said: “I think that the certain positions we were struggling at, so those are the positions we’ve actually went out and looked for overseas.”

Tupapa Maraerenga coach Tuka Tisam shared similar sentiments, expressing confidence with his team’s preparations.

“We’re prepared pretty well for this tournament as a home game for us … a couple of months training with the guys, so really good to see them out there, and I think the team is very confident,” Tisam said.

“We have overseas players, they’re (from) overseas but they’re good Cook Islanders, so they’re here to play in the club so yes, we’ll solid up the squad a bit.”

Tisam believes that the team’s togetherness and brotherhood are key factors with veteran players playing a big part in keeping the team bond strong.

“We’ll have to see how the tournament goes game to game (but) I would say, probably confidence wise, (we are) 80 to 90 per cent up there, I reckon. That’s how confident I am with the team but that’s just me,” he added.

The captain also called on the public to support the team.

“I know we’re not the most likeable team in the Cooks, because we keep winning the tournaments year after year, but it is what it is,” he said.

“I just want to encourage our fans to come out and help support the home team. Obviously, that’s what home ground advantage is all about.”

Vaipuna coach Faapopo I’amafana said this was their first time in the Cook Islands and it already felt like home.

“Our first match against team American Samoa is quite tough so we have to be prepared for that, but so far we are ready to put our all on that field and make our country proud,” I’amafana said.

Vaipuna football club is captained by Key Viliamo.

The teams will battle for a place in the OFC Champions League Group Stage, to be held in the Solomon Islands from March 30 to April 12, 2025.

With only one spot up for grabs, every match will be crucial. The action kicks off today, with Royal Puma taking on Vaipuna 3pm. On Tuesday, February 11, the competition heats up as Royal Puma faces Tupapa Maraerenga FC, the local pride of the Cook Islands. The tournament concludes on Friday, February 14, with a thrilling encounter between Vaipuna and Tupapa Maraerenga FC.