Tongatapu club Nukuhetulu FC are set to make history tomorrow as they prepare for their first-ever appearance in continental football at the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 – Qualifying tournament in Apia, Samoa.
Their participation marks a significant milestone, with Nukuhetulu becoming only the third club from Tonga to compete in Oceania’s premier club competition, following in the footsteps of Lotoha’apai United and Veitongo FC, who have represented the Kingdom on the continental stage since 1999.
“We might be a new team and the new kids on the block, but we are coming into this competition with the mindset to win,” said head coach Lafaele Moala.
Moala, a former Tongan international, brings valuable experience to the role. He spent 12 years with Lotoha’apai United between 2003 and 2015, a period during which the club competed in six OFC Men’s Champions League campaigns. Now, he returns to the competition from the touchline after guiding Nukuhetulu FC to winning the TFA Challenge Cup in 2025.
This achievement secured Nukuhetulu FC their place in the 2026 qualifying tournament and their first taste of continental football.
“The players are extremely excited,” Moala added. “This is the first time many of them will compete against champion clubs from across the Pacific, and that’s a big motivation.”
Founded only in 2017, playing their first local competition in 2018, debut in the Senior level in 2020, Nukuhetulu FC have enjoyed a rapid rise, establishing a winning culture in just 7 years, something achieved by only a handful of Tongan clubs.
“It means a lot for us to represent Tonga at this level,” said Moala. “It also shows other clubs that nothing is impossible. If we can do it, they can too.”
Strengthening the squad for their continental debut, Nukuhetulu FC welcome several high-profile additions, including Tonga national team players Tuia Falepapalangi and Kulisitofa Kite.
Also joining the squad is Tuia’s younger brother, Tevita Falepapalangi, a rising talent who is already making a name for himself on the international stage.
Further bolstering the team are national player Maikeli Lomu and Riley Evans, owner of Custom Athletics and a major sponsor of the Tonga national team. The club has also received strong backing from Mounu Island Resort, with its owner Garret Gee not only sponsoring the team but also joining the squad for the campaign.
With ambitions set high, Nukuhetulu FC will be aiming to win the qualifying tournament and secure a place in the final tournament in Fiji this August, a feat yet to be achieved by any Tongan club.
“Our goal is to be competitive and to achieve what previous Tongan clubs have narrowly missed at this level,” Moala said.
The qualifying tournament runs from 31 January to 6 February at Samoa Football Headquarters in Apia.
Nukuhetulu FC will open their campaign against Tupapa Maraerenga FC of the Cook Islands tomorrow, before facing Pago Youth FC of American Samoa and host club Vaivase-Tai FC of Samoa, playing three matches in seven days.
Nukuhetulu FC Squad:
- Unaloto Aho
- Maloni Manuolevao
- Lavaki Lolohea
- Tevita Pale
- Sione Fakahau
- Feofaaki Aho
- Fonua Foou Moala
- Sione Fehoko
- Tuia Falepapalangi
- Kulisitofa Kite
- Tevita Falepapalangi
- Maloni Aho
- Maikeli Lomu
- Riley Evans
- Garret Gee
- Morgan Lyman
- Sioeli Veatupu
End.
