Scenes of celebration erupted at the Fiji Football Association’s academy grounds in Suva following the Ba women’s team’s victory over Labasa, securing the Fiji FA’s Women’s Inter-District Championship title with a 2-1 scoreline. This triumph represents the culmination of hard work and determination by the women in black after three days of rigorous competition in the capital.
Ba’s Sereana Naweni opened the scoring just before halftime, netting a goal in the 45th minute. Teammate Luisa Tamanitoakula extended Ba’s lead with a striking goal in the 65th minute. Although Labasa managed to get on the scoreboard with a goal from Selai Nai in the 75th minute, it ultimately wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
Throughout the match, Ba made tactical substitutions in the 55th and 73rd minutes, while Labasa made three changes, including one during halftime and two in the 73rd and 87th minutes.
Ba head coach Charlene Lockington expressed pride in her team’s performance, emphasizing their commitment to not just winning but to becoming champions. “When Labasa scored, I told them during the water break that our goal is to be champions because we’ve worked hard for it,” Lockington stated. “The girls have sacrificed a lot.”
Labasa coach Roneel Ram, while acknowledging the disappointing result, praised his team’s efforts. He noted, “That was definitely not what I expected, but I’m very proud of the way my girls played, especially considering Ba has a strong lineup filled with experienced players who have national representation. These girls have really stood up and have made me proud.”
The championship victory not only highlights Ba’s skill and determination but also underscores the growing popularity and competitiveness of women’s football in Fiji. As these teams continue to develop, the future of women’s soccer in the region looks promising.
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