The Rewa Football Club has included Former Suva, Rewa, and Ba striker Saani Issa and Brazilian Marcelo Tannus in their campaign for the Oceania Champions League 2022 which kicks off this week
Both are no strangers to Rewa FC as they have featured for the Delta Tigers before and will surely add strength in the side.
Despite not expecting New Zealand-based Nigerian Issa to arrive in camp until just before Rewa’s opening match against Nikao Sokattak on August 5, Rewa FC coach Marika Rodu expects to partner him with Fijian international Setareki Hughes up front.
“If he arrives a little later in the week we may wait to bring him on in the second half rather than start him, but Sanni will add plenty to our attack and bring real experience,” Rodu said.
“He will be well adapted to the way games are played here too, the weather, the ground conditions.”
Having played against Issa previously, Hughes said he was excited to have the chance to team up with the 30-year-old.
“With a player like Sanni Issa in the team, it’s a big boost for us,” Hughes said.
“I have played against him before so I know what he is capable of and am looking forward to playing with him.
“He has real speed, is good one v one, and can take on defenders.
“But most of all is his finishing, he’s just too good.”
Rewa FC has been drawn in a tough Group B which contains defending OCL champions Hienghène Sport and nine-time winners Auckland City FC, who Issa played for previously.
“The first game is against the Cook Island team, who we don’t know much about but we will be taking that seriously and show them respect,” Hughes said.
“It’s a great pool to be in with two defending champions in the pool. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Oceania Champions League 2022 match schedule (dates and times)
GROUP A
Aug 4, 12.00pm | Galaxy FC v Lae City FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 4, 3.00pm | Central Coast FC v AS Vènus at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 7, 12.00pm | Central Coast FC v Galaxy FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 7, 3.00pm | AS Vènus v Lae City FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 10, 12.00pm | Lae City FC v Central Coast FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 10, 3.00pm | AS Vènus v Galaxy FC at Ngahue Reserve
GROUP B
Aug 5, 12.00pm | Auckland City FC v Hienghène Sport at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 5, 3.00pm | Rewa FC v Nikao Sokattak FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 8, 12.00pm | Rewa FC v Auckland City FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 8, 3.00pm | Nikao Sokattak FC v Hienghène Sport at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 11, 12.00pm | Hienghène Sport v Rewa FC at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 11, 3.00pm | Nikao Sokattak Fc v Auckland City FC at Ngahue Reserve
SEMI-FINALS
Aug 14, 11.30am | 1st Group A v 2nd Group B at Ngahue Reserve
Aug 14, 2.30pm | 1st Group B v 2nd Group A at Ngahue Reserve
FINAL
Aug 17, 2.00pm | semi-final 1 winner v semi-final 2 winner at Ngahue Reserve
