Three players from the victorious Extra Supermarket Labasa football men’s team in the FMF Inter District Championship 2024 have been selected to join the Fiji men’s football squad. The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) announced a 29-member extended Fiji squad that will prepare for the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Included in the selected squad are Labasa’s Golden Glove winner Simione Tamanisau, experienced striker Christopher Wasasala, and defender Sekove Naivakananumi. Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap expressed his pride in the players, stating they earned their call-up through excellent performances.
Pratap highlighted Wasasala’s ability to enhance the team’s attacking capabilities, believing he can effectively collaborate with other strikers. He appreciated Fiji FA for recognizing the improvement in their players, which led to their selection.
“My players are capable of performing at a high level of football,” Pratap asserted. He encouraged other Labasa players who were not selected to remain diligent in their efforts to earn national colors. Pratap also cautioned the three players to elevate their game as they will be competing on a regional scale. “We want our players to be part of history if we achieve World Cup qualification,” he stated.
The national team, coached by Rob Sherman, kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a strong start, securing a 1-0 victory over the Solomon Islands in the first round. Former Labasa FA president, Paul Jaduram, expressed confidence in Fiji FA’s decision to include these players, stating that they rightfully deserve the opportunity to represent the national side.
The Fiji squad comprises the following players: Joela Biuvanua, Simione Tamanisau, Jerome Narayan, Akuila Mateisuva, Filipe Baravilala, Sekove Naivakananumi, Samuela Kautoga, Scott Wara, Sterling Vasconcellos, Atonio Tuivuna, Gabirieli Matanisiga, Josh Laqeretabua, Ivan Kumar, Kavaia Rawaqa, Setareki Hughes, Merill Nand, Rahul Krishna, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Mohammed Raheem, Tevita Warainivalu, Dave Radrigai, Leroy Jennings, Aporosa Yada, Nabil Begg, Thomas Dunn, Roy Krishna, Sairusi Nalaubu, Etonia Dogalau, and Christopher Wasasala.
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