The top eight teams from the Digicel Fiji Premier League have secured their places in the Super Premier Division of the FMF Inter-District Championship, scheduled for next month at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The confirmed teams are Rewa, Labasa, Lautoka, Ba, Nadi, Navua, Suva, and Nadroga.
Tailevu/Naitasiri and Nasinu have been relegated to the Premier Division, where they will compete alongside Bua, Tavua, Lami, and Seaqaqa. The Senior Division will feature teams such as Savusavu, Taveuni, Nadogo, Dreketi, Rakiraki, and Northland Tailevu.
The pool draws for the 2024 FMF IDC are set for Tuesday, October 1, at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva at 11 am. The IDC will take place from October 15 to 20.
In other news, three new players have joined the national men’s football squad in preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers, as confirmed by head coach Rob Sherman. The additions include Leroy Jennings from Sydney United FC, defender Gabrieli Matanisiga from Wellington Olympic AFC, and Suva FC defender Kavaia Rawaqa.
These players are part of a 27-member squad ahead of the qualifiers, which kick off with the first round on October 10 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. National team manager Kartik Reddy stated that their integration aims to enhance the team’s strength for a successful campaign, with the goal of securing one of the 1.5 spots available to the OFC for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The squad will begin training on September 29 at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba, with the final 23-member lineup to be announced on October 5. Veteran defender Remueru Tekiata and Muni Shivam Naidu will not be participating due to work commitments. Captain Roy Krishna is expected to join the team on October 5 after fulfilling his obligations with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.
Fiji’s national team is placed in Group A, alongside Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia. They will start their campaign against the Solomon Islands in Suva on October 10 at 7 pm, followed by matches against Papua New Guinea on November 14 and New Caledonia on November 17, both at the PNG Football Stadium.