The newly crowned Round Cup champions, Nikao Sokattak ended a 11-year winless drought with the famous win over archrivals Tupapa Maraerenga FC on Friday.

Nikao Sokattak premier men’s put an end to Tupapa Maraerenga’s four-year reign as premier men Round Cup Champions, after a nail-biting decider at the CIFA Complex last week Friday.

The Sokattak defeated Tupapa 1-0 in a closely contested match to claim the 2021 Tower Insurance premier men’s title.

The team kicked off the 2021 season with a fiery start on top of the table. They faced a bit of a slop after their first loss but quickly recovered, as they managed to pick themselves up in the final round with a firm grip onto their first placing for the remainder of the season.

Playing 15 games, the team went on to win 12 matches, with one draw and only two losses. Their final match on Friday against Tupapa sealed their top place and the 2021 Premiership title.

According to Cook Islands Football Association, this win is certainly one for Nikao’s history books, as their last rein as Round Cup champions was 11 years ago in 2009.

With the thrilling decider match against Tupapa, who finished second after Friday’s loss, it is without a doubt that Nikao Sokattak deserved the 2021 Tower Insurance Premiership title.

Nikao Sokattak will represent the Cook Islands at the OFC Club Champions League 2022.

The side will be looking to build on their latest achievement and have their eyes set on the Knock-Out Champions title. The Knockout Cup will kick off this coming month.

• CIFA Media

Results

U6 Mix: Titikaveka FC vs Puaikura FC: 9-2, Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Matavera FC: 1-2; Nikao Sokattak FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: U8 Mix: 2-2, U10 Mix: 1-2, U12 Mix: 3-0, U15 Boys: 1-1, U15 Girls: 0-0, U18 Men: 0-1, Senior Women: 0-2, Premier Men: 1-0. Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC: U8 Mix: 0-2, U10 Mix: 1-0, U12 Mix: 2-1, U15 Girls: 2-0, U15 Boys: 0-13, Senior Women: 1-0, Premier Men: 2-2; Avatiu FC vs Titikaveka: U8 Mix: 2-0, U10 Mix: 8-0, U12 Mix: 0-0, U15 Boys: 2-0, U15 Girls: 3-4, U18 Men: 3-1, Senior Women: TBC, Premier Men: TBC.