Jotivini Tabua, a 29-year-old officer with the National Fire Authority in Labasa, leads her team with optimism as the Fiji women’s football team gears up for their opening match against the Solomon Islands in the 2025 OFC Women’s Nations Cup. The match is set to take place today, and Tabua has expressed her excitement and confidence in her squad’s capabilities as they enter the tournament.
Having competed in football for over 15 years, Tabua acknowledges the experience that the Solomon Islands team possesses, having faced them in past encounters. “We always look up to the Solomon Island team, because for the past few years we always play against them, we can see most of their experienced players are also part of the team, so we are looking forward to a great match,” she stated.
Despite the challenge ahead, Tabua believes that Fiji has a strong mix of young talent and experienced players ready to make an impact. Many in the team have previously played in U19 or U16 World Cups, and some are currently based overseas. Tabua recognized the contributions of these players, asserting, “We really learned a lot from them, so we have a good young side, and we are all really ready for the match.”
Under the leadership of Coach Angeline Chua, Tabua praised the rigorous training and commitment shown by her teammates. Chua, who emphasizes inspiring the next generation of female athletes, shares the vision of developing a team that balances experience with youthful energy. The players have been working hard to prepare, focusing on important aspects like teamwork and finishing skills in preparation for the tournament.
The Fiji women’s football team aims to advance beyond the group stage, motivated by both their past experiences and their recent hard work. This opportunity not only allows them to demonstrate their skills on an international level but also inspires young female athletes throughout Fiji, showing that with dedication and teamwork, the future of women’s sports in the region looks promising.
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