Rewa FC will carry Fiji's hopes in the OFC Men's Champions League as the Delta Tigers prepare to represent the country on home soil, with Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf saying hosting the tournament gives them a major advantage.
Yusuf says Fiji Football decided to bid to host the competition after opportunities were opened for member associations to stage OFC tournaments, knowing a Fijian club would qualify.
He says the Association will invest about $120,000 to host the tournament, believing the home advantage gives Rewa its best chance of challenging for the title.
Rewa has also received financial assistance from Fiji Football Association, along with the opportunity to use the Fiji FA Academy as the team’s training base in the lead-up to the tournament.
He says Rewa will have the opportunity to play at home against some of Oceania's top clubs, including defending champions Auckland City and teams from Tahiti, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.
Yusuf says the investment is worthwhile as Fijian clubs have previously travelled to Tahiti, Vanuatu and Honiara but have fallen short of reaching the final.
He says Suva reached the semi-finals in Vanuatu, while Rewa also made the semi-finals in Tahiti.
He says Rewa has been the most consistent team in 2025 after winning the Extra Premier League and the FMF Inter District Championship, while maintaining their standard this season despite several players moving to Bula FC.
This will be the club's third consecutive appearance in the OFC Men's Champions League following campaigns in Tahiti and Honiara.
He also confirms Fiji Football has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 OFC Men's Champions League, meaning the 2027 Extra Premier League champions will also have the opportunity to compete on home soil.
Fiji Football Association President Rajesh Patel says although hosting the tournament has placed a financial burden on the Association, it is worthwhile because Rewa is representing Fiji, and Fiji Football is committed to providing every possible form of assistance.
Patel says winning the OFC Men’s Champions League would see Rewa qualify for what he referred to as the FIFA Club Championship, giving the club the opportunity to compete on the world stage.
Meanwhile, Rewa FC Senior Vice President Sunjay Patel thanks Fiji Football for its financial assistance and for allowing the team to use the Fiji FA Academy as its training base in the lead-up to the tournament.
He says finding suitable training grounds in Fiji is challenging, making the support invaluable.
The Senior Vice President also acknowledges Fiji Football's support for Rewa's Red Kachi Kachi youth development programme, which now has 218 children aged between six and 14 participating, with footballs also being provided through Fiji Football's partnership with McDonald's.
He says winning the OFC Men’s Champions League would be Rewa's biggest achievement and has called on all Fijians to get behind the team as it aims to bring the title home.
The OFC Men’s Champions League kicks off on August 9th, with Rewa opening its campaign against Vanuatu's Galaxy FC at Churchill Park in Lautoka at 3pm.
The remaining group matches, as well as the semi-finals and final, will be played at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
